Hi everyone! I just wanted to share my story to help ease someone else’s anxiety, the same way so many of you helped me when I needed it most ❤️

My case was received on May 1, 2025. Biometrics May 29, 2025. I had my interview scheduled for September 25 at the USCIS Newark field office, and I got my I-130 approved the same day and my I-485 approved the next day, on September 26!

The interview was scheduled for 10:45 a.m. We arrived early, since I knew there was no parking and we’d need to look for a spot on the street. It took us about 20–30 minutes, so I definitely recommend arriving early and waiting nearby. Also, have breakfast before the interview!! You might wait a long time. In our case, we waited about 1 hour and 20 minutes past our scheduled time before being called in.

Here’s what the process looked like:

• Security screening at the entrance: They asked me to take off my heels (probably because they were glossy). The security staff were very kind after the X-ray check, they handed me my heels with a napkin to clean my feet, and showed me where I could sit to put them back on. My husband, wearing Jordans, passed without removing his shoes.
• 15th floor check-in: You show your interview notice and both IDs (yours and your spouse’s/petitioner’s) to an officer at the stand. They’ll ask if you have a lawyer or interpreter. (We came by ourselves.)
• Waiting room: You give your interview notice again at one of the windows, then take a seat. Before the private room interview, the officer will call you to the window to collect some documents and ask if you want to submit anything new.

I brought some new docs to submit in person. It’s very important to bring a copy of everything you’ve ever submitted, especially your original package. My officer asked for all of the docs that we brought with the application.

We didn’t have many shared documents like a lease, insurance, joint taxes, car, mortgage, etc. Instead, we had a bank statement, marriage certificate, birth certificates, IDs with the same address, three affidavits of support, and a bunch of printed photos plus a wedding album. Having everything organized - with originals on one side and copies on the other - really helped. The officer was pleased and said, “Very good, thank you.”

The officer collected our documents and IDs, then told us to sit near the door since I’d be called soon. We were interviewed separately from the beginning. First, they called only my husband (the petitioner) and interviewed him for about 10–15 minutes. Then, without letting us speak, the officer brought him out and called me in. (Thanks to Reddit posts, I was ready for that!)

The officer was professional, polite, and straightforward, not intimidating at all. The interview went smoothly, more like a storytelling conversation. Even though I was anxious, I felt comfortable because everything was handled respectfully.

After swearing me in, the officer explained:
“I already asked your husband a few questions. I’ll ask you the same ones to see if your answers match. It’s nothing crazy, just things you’d know in a real marriage.”

She first asked about our relationship, then moved on to the standard I-485 eligibility yes/no questions.

We were verbally approved right then, but the officer still gave us a paper saying “case under review,” noting that a decision could take up to 14 days. At the end, she smiled and said, “You are an angel person, it was a pleasure to interview you!” I was so nervous that I just replied*“Thank you”* lols.

Interview Questions We Were Asked

• What is your full name and date of birth?
• When, how, and where did you meet?
• Who is your common friend’s name?
• What was your first impression of your spouse?
• When did you start dating seriously?
• How did you come to marriage? Who proposed? Who was at the proposal - friends, family?
• Have you traveled together? Where?
• Do you work?
• What does your spouse do for work?
• Tricky way asked, How does your husband’s family treat you, since you’re alone here in America without family?
• Who is the affidavit financial supporter, and how do you know that person?
• What are 3 common things you and your spouse do together?
• How long did you date before getting married?
• What was your wedding date?
• Was it a big or small wedding?
• How many guests attended?
• Have you ever been married before? Do you have kids?

✨Good luck to everyone going through this! Take deep breaths, trust your story, and remember: real relationships speak for themselves ❤️