Fiance K-1 visa Interview Questions

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Think it’s helpful to memorize 1,000 sample questions to prepare for your Fiance K-1 visa interview?

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No way. In fact, it’s actually a waste of time.

Questions and answers at the K-1 visa interview are one of the most-important parts of getting an approval from the US Embassy. It’s really important to prepare. 

But, don’t overloaded yourself with questions that no one will ask.

Because… it turns out that Consular Officers are actually short on time and won’t waste time by asking random questions while you’re standing at your interview like — “what color eyes does he have?”

(But funny enough, that’s exactly the type of questions websites tell you to memorize, right?)

Instead, officers focus on 6 core categories of questions because it helps them quickly pinpoint key insights about your relationship… and if you prepare for those specific categories, you won’t need to memorize a long list.

In this video, I’ll explain how.

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Wait… we shouldn’t rehearse random questions? 

No, because most sample questions are just variations of the same six core categories like I’ve explained in the video.

But still, couples worry that at the interview, even if they prepare with perfect paperwork — nothing prepares them for the onslaught of difficult questions that the Consular’s going to ask.

That’s why most of us practice.  And I agree, to a certain degree that’s a good step, but it’s not really effective. Rather, it’s been shown time and again that 6 categories of questions –

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• – Your fiancé’s background
• – About yourself
• – Marital Status
• – US Petitioner’s family
• – Your future plans or about your relationship

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— are what truly matter.

The Officer’s main purpose is to evaluate if your case is legitimate or if you’re just seeking immigration benefits (scam relationship). And they use questions to test how well you know each other.

So, you see, there’s no need to rehearse 87 different questions. You just need to understand a few handful. 

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Common Questions and Answers (at the K-1 Interview)

Now, I’m going to share with you sample questions people get asked.

The whole point of this exercise is to show you that they ask questions for a very particular reason (explained in the “why it’s asked” section).

As you go through them, look back at the six categories and realize how they’re similar in nature… see how the multitude of questions are variations.

In addition, there’s no best answer for fiance visa interviews. Honest and concise answers are best… regardless of how odd or suspicious your case may seem.

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1.  What’s your name, date and place of birth, and nationality?

• Answer:
  Obviously, the beneficiary gives a legal full name, date of birth, birth place, nationality and other biographic info.  Make sure that your answers match with official documents (especially the I-129F). 
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• Why it’s asked:
  To verify documents that you’ve already submitted. To make sure you’re eligible and to test your knowledge of basic biographic details. This is the first core category (biographic information).

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2. Were you engaged with a K-1 visa before? What happened?

• Answer:
  In the Embassy interview,  you must answer truthfully about any previous K-1, or immigration petitions (student, business, visitor, etc.). 
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• Why it’s asked:
  This may seem like a random question, right? but there’s a very important reason behind asking it. Certain restrictions apply when someone has filed previous K-1 fiance visa applications.  This question also make sure this fiance visa isn’t another fraud attempt to try to immigrate to the U.S. Having a prior K-1 visa submission or approval doesn’t bar you, but it will open up many questions. 

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3. Have you visited the U.S. before? When? Why?

• Answer:
  Again, answer honestly if you’ve visited the U.S. in the past.  Why did you go? to visit, study, business? The Embassy has access to your records, so be upfront. 
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• Why it’s asked:
  This is a very important question for two reasons.  First, they check to make sure you’re not inadmissible due to a past violation. If your last visit to the US ended up in deportation / an expel / overstay, etc., it may lead to denial. Secondly, this question helps make sure that this visa isn’t a fraud attempt to emigrate to the U.S. 
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  However, if you were in the US previously (in favorable terms with US immigration laws) then this is positive. It suggests that you have already shown trustworthiness.

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4. Are there any relatives of yours living in the United States?

• Answer:
  inform about any family or relatives in the U.S., which states do they live in?
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• Why it’s asked:
  For a number of possible reasons.  Maybe to find out if you have family support or if you have other reasons for seeking a visa.  For instance, were you ever petitioned by a family member in the US for another visa? Maybe it’s to find out if someone in the US is “paying” for you to come to the US. Again, this seems like a random question to someone not paying attention, but it’s not random at all.

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5. Were you married before? 

• Answer:
  Show any divorce documents if you’ve been married before. Was your US fiance(e) ever married before?
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• Why it’s asked:
  for several reasons.  Maybe to test your character? maybe to figure out if there are any legal issues you’re involved in. Some countries have special provisions when it comes to divorces.  Make sure you comply with them. For example, the Philippines has a very unique “divorce” law.
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  Divorce is a huge topic to think about. Bring ALL documents from the divorce with you to the K-1 visa interview. You will definitely be asked questions about it. This applies to both the US petitioner and beneficiary.

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6. Do you have any children?

• Answer: Do you have children? Show birth certificates or passports of your children (if any).
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• Why it’s asked: to verify if you have children. If they’re listed in the I-129F petition, they’ll need a K-2 visa. Follow up questions might be if they’ve met your fiance. Visit the K-2 visa section for more info.

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7. Any criminal records?

• Answer:
  if you’ve been involved in a crime, arrested, or convicted, then show evidence. You will also be asked if you are aware of any criminal history of the US petitioner.  Just like the issue of divorce, criminal records get a lot of attention. Have ALL documents with you to the K-1 interview.
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• Why it’s asked:
  A criminal background leads to a lot of issues, including denial of visas. If either person has a criminal history / violation there will definitely be cause for concern.  Not all crimes are automatic denials, some are up to the discretion of the interviewer.

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8. Did you meet his/her parents? why or why not?

• Answer:
  Show if you’ve met your fiance(e)’s family or not.  Show photos, letters, etc. Have they met you? do you communicate with them often? Having proof is useful.
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• Why it’s asked: 
  This is another extremely important topic (also for red flag cases).  If your fiance’s family and friends are involved in your relationship, then it very likely that your relationship is legitimate.  If family or friends are not involved, then why not? Do they not approve, why not?

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9. What is your fiance’s full name, birthday, and age?

• Answer: your fiance’s real name, birthday and age.
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• Why it’s asked: To test your basic knowledge about your fiance.  To make sure that it’s a legitimate relationship. Again, practice the biographic data that’s on the I-129F and all other petitions. Be consistent.

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10. Where does your fiance live? Apartment or a house? Is he/she the owner or paying rent?

• Answer:
  Indicate your fiance’s housing situation. Where will you be living/staying in the US?
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• Why it’s asked:
  To test your basic knowledge about your fiance’s living situation and where you’ll be staying when you get there.  Again, this is a test of basic details any couple would know about each other.

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11. What work does he/she do for a living?

• Answer:
  Tell what your fiance(e) does for a living.  What company does he/she work for? Where? What does your fiance think about it?
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• Why it’s asked:
  If you truly have an on-going relationship then these things will be easy to answer.  The consular’s trying to understand the level of your relationship. For close partners, these questions are quick and easy to answer.

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12. Does he / she have any other family or friends? Have you met them?

• Answer:
  Show that you know your fiance’s family.  Show photos, letters, etc. Know their legal names, ages, and other important facts. Think about family history, lineage, other details.
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• Why it’s asked:
  Again, it’s a way to discover how well you know your fiance’s family.  

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13. What Skills does he / she have? any language? hobbies?

• Answer: 
  What kind of hobbies does he/she have? what attracted you to each other? any special skills? speak multiple languages? which ones? Any membership in groups?
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• Why it’s asked:
  To test your basic knowledge about your fiance(e).  To figure out if you’ve got things in common which could have brought you together. This is also a big issue to address.  For instance, if there’s nothing in common, then it’s a bit harder to accept that you’ve met and fell in love.

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14. What do you love the most about him/her?

• Answer:
  what attracts you about your fiance(e)?
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• Why it’s asked:
  It’s an open ended and surprise question.  It’ll make you talk, and it lets them pick up on key point.  Remember to make it concise (don’t talk too long). It’s also to find out what you two have in common. How did you meet? was it by chance or through common interests? if your story seems unlikely, do you have proof?

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15. Was he/she been married before? Why is he/she divorced?

• Answer:
  Reveal if your fiance has a previous marriage and the reasons for divorce.
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• Why it’s asked:
  To make sure you two are eligible for the K visa and can marry within 90 days. Secondly, it’s to understand the reasons for the divorce.  To determine if your fiance(e) might be running a fraud immigration scheme. Be familiar with the divorce agreement (know about spousal support, property split, etc.).

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16. Does he/she have children? how many? have you met?

• Answer:
  Show that you know your fiance’s family.  Show photos, letters, etc. Know their names, ages, and important facts.
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• Why it’s asked:
  Again, it’s a way to discover how well you know your fiance’s family.  Have you interacted with his/her children? what do they think of you? Be familiar with all the divorce issues (about child custody, visitation, child support, etc. if any).

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17. Why did you decide to use a K-1 visa to go and marry in the US?

• Answer:   
  So, why did you decide to use a K-1 visa to go and marry in the US? Did you have specific plans for a wedding venue that you liked in the US? Does the US petitioner have too many relatives who cannot come to your country for a wedding and therefore decide to host in the US? Is there a medical reason (e.g. US petitioner cannot travel)? is there a political reason (e.g. same-sex marriage banned in beneficiary’s country)?
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• Why it’s asked:
  This is a very interesting question. Why didn’t the couple decide to get married in the foreign fiance’s country? There’s a whole laundry-list of possible reasons. This issue get’s even more interesting in some cultures. Some traditional cultures won’t allow an unwed man/woman to leave home to get married. Are you family and friends accepting of this? What will you do for the beneficiary’s family who cannot attend the wedding in the US? 

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These are just sample questions. There are 6 specific categories you absolutely must prepare for.

Here’s a FREE simple (but very effective) practice PDF to prepare you for the big interview. What should you focus on reviewing for the interview? What range of questions do consulars ask?

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Questions about Engagement & future plans

Consulars are looking for your commitment to the relationship. But think about it, how will anyone know if your relationship is true or not? Well, they’ll figure this out by asking you these questions.
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1. 1. What are your most important plans (after marriage)?
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2. 2. Will you work when you get to the US?
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3. 3. Where will you live?
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4. 4. Do you know your fiance’s family? where do they work/live? 
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5. 5. Have you met his/her family? do they like you?

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Some consulates are known to be excessively critical.  Those embassies with high immigration fraud rates will get very inquisitive.

If the consular officer has some doubts regarding your answers, s/he might ask you some additional question and you have to be prepared for that as well.

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Do they ask a lot of questions?

You may have heard stories about K-1 visa experiences. Some couples will brush it off easily and say, “it was easy — hardly asked 3 questions”. While other couples are grilled with possibly 30-40 questions. They’ll say, “it felt like torture”.

So, why are some couples asked more than others? Why was it easy for some and horrible for others?

It depends on your case and behavior.

When the US Embassy realizes there’s more than meets the eye, they will inquire excessively into the topic. If they feel you’re lying, then get ready for an interrogation. (Do they really ask tricky questions at the visa interview?)

It’s a combination of the good “gut feeling” your case is giving, any “red flags”, and your behavior. Honesty is the best policy.

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Be Prepared for the Interview

Besides the long paperwork, the most stressful in the K-1 visa process, is the interview at the U.S. consulate, and the foreign fiance(e)’s visa interview questions.

What you must have in mind is that this is the final obstacle on your way to getting the K-1 visa.  Soon you’ll marry your future spouse and that you have to relax.

Use my Step-by-Step tutorial on preparing for the K-1 visa interview.

When the interview begins, you will be asked questions that will give the insight in moral character as well as your background, and questions that will reveal if you really know your U.S. citizen fiancé(e), and if your relationship is actually real and that you want to get married out of love and not just for U.S. immigration.

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