Top US Spouse Visa (CR1/IR1) Interview Questions in 2025 + How to Answer

Getting ready to answer US spouse visa interview questions should not feel like preparing for a surprise exam where your marriage is the main subject. At Visa Library, we see many couples who are sure about their relationship but are nervous about the interview. Don’t worry; the officers just want to check if your marriage is real, your documents are correct, and you follow the immigration rules. Let us walk through the most common US interview questions for CR1 and IR1 visas.

Common US Spouse Visa Interview Questions and Answers

Before we start, remember this: every US spouse visa interview question tries to confirm three big things:

• You are who you say you are
• Your marriage is real, not just for a green card
• You and your spouse follow immigration and legal rules

Answer in a calm, simple way. Do not memorize a script. Instead, understand your own story and let it come out naturally. Also, if you feel confused or have questions about the process, Visa Library offers premium US spouse visa consultation, so schedule a time with us.

Identity and Immigration History Questions

What is your current country of citizenship or nationality?

The officer wants to confirm your identity and your legal background. Answer plainly. For example, “I am a citizen of Mexico,” or “I hold dual citizenship of Italy and Argentina.” If you have more than one nationality, mention each one. Your answer should match your passport and your application forms.

Have you ever been denied or refused a visa or entry to the United States?

This US spouse visa interview question checks your past immigration history. If the answer is yes, do not hide it. Say when it happened and, if you know, why. Keep it short: “Yes, I was refused a tourist visa in 2018 because I could not show enough ties. Since then, my situation has changed, and I am now applying through my spouse.” If the answer is no, simply say, “No, I have never been denied a visa or refused entry.”

Were you ever previously in the United States?

Here, the officer wants to see if you respected past visas. If you visited before, say what visa you used, how long you stayed, and that you returned on time. For example, “Yes, I visited in 2019 on a B2 tourist visa for three weeks and returned home on the planned date.” If you have never been to the US, say, “No, I have never been in the United States before.”

Have you ever overstayed a visa or violated immigration rules?

This is a serious US spouse visa interview question. If you overstayed even a few days, you must tell the truth. Explain what happened and, if you have any waivers or legal advice, mention that. If you never overstayed, say, “No, I have never overstayed a visa or broken immigration rules.” Honesty is critical.

Relationship Background Questions

How and where did you and your spouse meet?

This question checks how your relationship started. Tell the story in simple words. For example, “We met through a mutual friend at a birthday party in Toronto in 2020,” or “We first met online in a language exchange app and later met in person in Istanbul.” Keep it real and natural.

When and where did you have your first date?

The officer wants details that real couples usually remember. Give a clear place and approximate date. “Our first date was at a small café near my office in March 2021,” or “We went to the cinema in downtown Chicago for our first date.” Small details make your answer sound genuine.

How long were you in a relationship before getting married?

This US spouse visa interview question tests the timeline. Answer with months or years. “We were in a relationship for two years before getting married,” or “We dated for about 10 months and then decided to marry.” Your answer should match your chat records, travel history, and photos.

What attracted you to your spouse?

Here, the officer is getting a feel for the relationship itself. Be honest and a little warm. You can say, “I liked their kindness and sense of humor,” or “I admired their work ethic and how they support their family.” This question is not a trap. It is a way to see if you know your spouse as a person.

What are your spouse’s hobbies or interests?

This US spouse visa interview question checks how well you know your spouse’s daily life. Mention a few things: “My spouse enjoys reading, hiking on weekends, and watching basketball,” or “They love cooking, playing video games, and going to the gym.” You do not need a long list, just real habits.

Personal Details About Your Spouse

What is your spouse’s full legal name, date of birth, and nationality?

This is a basic identity US spouse visa interview question. Your answer must match the passport and application exactly. Say their full legal name, not just a nickname, their correct birth date, and their nationality. If you hesitate on this, it can look bad, so review these details before the interview.

What is your spouse’s occupation and salary?

The officer wants to see that your spouse can support you or meet financial requirements. Say their job title, where they work, and a simple salary range if you know it. For example, “My spouse works as a nurse at ABC Hospital and earns about 70,000 dollars a year.” If you are not sure of the exact number, say “about” or “around.”

What is your spouse’s favorite food, color, or type of pajamas?

Questions like this test how closely you pay attention to small things. Answer in a relaxed way: “Their favorite food is pizza with extra cheese. Their favorite color is blue, and they like cotton pajamas.” This kind of US spouse visa interview question may sound funny, but it helps show your relationship is real.

What are your spouse’s parents’ names, and where do they live?

Here, the officer checks your knowledge of your in-laws. Say their names and city or country. “My spouse’s parents are John and Maria. They live in Phoenix, Arizona, or “Her parents, Ali and Fariba, live in Tehran.” This shows you are part of each other’s family life.

Do you know your spouse’s siblings’ names?

This US spouse visa interview question looks at family awareness. If your spouse has siblings, say their names and maybe whether they are older or younger. If your spouse is an only child, say that clearly.

What is your spouse’s religion?

The officer wants to see if you know this important part of their life. Answer simply: “He is Christian,” “She is Muslim,” “He is non-religious,” or whatever is true. If you have different religions, that is okay, but you should know and accept each other’s beliefs.

What color are your spouse’s eyes?

This is a simple detail, but many people get nervous and forget. Take a second and answer: “Brown,” “Blue,” “Green,” “Hazel,” etc. This type of US spouse visa interview question is common in marriage cases.

Want more info about US marriage-based visas? This blog breaks it down.

Daily Life, Home, and Living Situation

What side of the bed do you sleep on?

This sounds similar to the earlier bed question, but now it focuses on you. Give a clear, consistent answer with what your spouse would say. “I sleep on the left side of the bed,” for example. If your answer and your spouse’s answer match, it supports your case.

Where do you and your spouse work, and what time do you get home?

The officer wants a picture of your normal day. Say what each of you does and roughly when you reach home. “My spouse works from 9 to 5 at an office and is home by 5:30 pm. I work part-time and usually get home by 3 pm.” The point is to show a realistic routine.

What are your typical daily and weekend routines?

This US spouse visa interview question checks how you live together. You can say, “On weekdays, we wake up around 7, have breakfast, and go to work. In the evening we cook dinner and watch TV. On weekends, we do grocery shopping, visit friends, or go to the park.” Keep it simple but real.

Who does the cooking and cleaning in the house?

The officer is not judging your chores. They just want details about your shared home. You can say, “We share chores. My spouse usually cooks, and I wash the dishes and vacuum,” or any honest division you follow.

What did you eat for your last meal together?

This is a recent memory test and a very common US spouse visa interview question. Think back to your actual last meal together and answer: “We had grilled chicken and salad at home,” or “We ate pizza at a local restaurant last night.” Try not to guess.

Financial and Family Details

Do you file taxes jointly?

This question checks your financial life as a married couple. If you already live together in the US and are allowed to file, you may say, “Yes, we filed jointly last year,” or “No, we filed separately because we were not married yet at the time.” If you have never filed together due to living in different countries, explain that.

Do you have a joint bank account?

The officer wants to see if you share money and responsibilities. If yes, say when you opened it and what you use it for. “Yes, we opened a joint checking account in 2023 and use it for rent and bills.” If not, you can say, “No, we do not have a joint account yet, but we share expenses and plan to open one when I move to the U.S.”

Who pays the bills and the rent or mortgage?

This US spouse visa interview question looks at how you manage your home. Answer honestly. “We both contribute, but the rent is paid from my spouse’s account,” or “I send money and my spouse pays the bills from our joint account.” The important part is that the story matches your documents.

Do you have children together, and where were they born?

If you have children, say how many, their names if asked, and their place of birth. “Yes, we have one child. She was born in Toronto in 2022.” If you do not have children together, say, “No, we do not have children together.”

Questions About Your Wedding

When and where did you get married?

This is another basic but key US spouse visa interview question. Give the date and place. “We got married on June 10, 2022, in Athens, Greece,” for example. Your answer must match your marriage certificate.

Who attended the wedding?

The officer wants to know if family and friends were involved. You can say, “Both of our families attended along with close friends. Around 60 people were there,” or, if it was small, “We had a small ceremony with just close family and two friends.”

Who paid for the wedding?

They ask this US spouse visa interview question to make sure about financial support and involvement. You might say, “We both contributed to the cost,” or “My spouse and their parents paid for most of the wedding.” Any true answer is fine as long as you are clear.

Did you exchange rings?

This may sound simple, but it is another detail check. If yes, say so and maybe describe them briefly. “Yes, we exchanged gold rings during the ceremony.” If your culture does not use rings or you choose not to, explain that clearly.

Did you take photos?

This US spouse visa interview question ties into your evidence. Most couples have photos. You can say, “Yes, we took many photos, and we brought some prints and a photo album as evidence.” If you did not take photos for any reason, be ready to explain why.

General Questions

Why do you want to move to the US?

The officer wants to hear your real reasons. Focus on your marriage and life together, not just money or lifestyle. “I want to live with my spouse and build our life together in the U.S., where they work and have a stable job,” is a good example. Keep it honest and personal.

What are your long-term goals in the US?

This US spouse visa interview question looks at your future plans. You might say, “We plan to live together, advance in our careers, maybe buy a home, and start a family,” or “I want to improve my English, get work authorization, and build my career while supporting my spouse.” Avoid saying anything about misusing the visa.

Have you ever been in trouble with the law?

This covers any criminal history. You must answer truthfully. If you have never been arrested or charged, you can say, “No, I have never been in trouble with the law.” If you have, mention it briefly and be ready to provide documents if needed.

Have you ever been involved with a terrorist organization?

This is a standard security US spouse visa interview question. The answer for almost everyone is, “No, I have never been involved with any terrorist organization.” Answer clearly and firmly.

What are your plans for when you enter the US?

The officer wants to know you understand what happens next. Answer with simple plans that make sense: “We plan to live together in our apartment in Houston, and I will apply for work authorization,” or “At first, I will focus on settling in, learning more English, and later I plan to look for work once I get permission.” Your plan should match the type of visa and your spouse’s situation.

Check out our page about US visas to explore all the visa options we offer.

US Spouse Visa (CR1/IR1) Interview Documents Checklist

Now that you know how to answer US spouse visa interview questions, let’s talk about documents. Document requirements are the same for CR-1 and IR-1. Bring originals + copies + translations if needed.

• Passport valid for 6+ months beyond intended US entry
• Passport biographic page copy
• Two U.S.-style passport photos
• Interview appointment letter
• DS-260 confirmation page
• Medical exam results (sealed envelope, if required)
• Vaccination records
• Birth certificate (applicant)
• Marriage certificate
• Divorce or death certificates from any prior marriage (both spouses)
• Police certificates from the required countries
• Proof of relationship (photos, messages, travel history, receipts, calls)
• Joint documents (if applicable): lease, bills, joint bank account, insurance
• Affidavit of Support (Form I-864)
• Petitioner’s proof of US citizenship (passport, birth certificate, naturalization certificate)
• Petitioner’s income evidence (tax returns, W-2s, pay stubs)
• Joint sponsor documents (if applicable)
• Certified translations of all non-English documents
• Photocopies of all civil documents
• Any extra documents requested by the embassy

What to Expect in a CR1/IR1 Visa Interview?

The CR1/IR1 spouse visa interview process starts after the National Visa Center reviews your case and schedules your interview at the US Embassy. Before the appointment, you complete your medical exam with an approved doctor and prepare all required documents, including your passport, DS-260 confirmation, civil records, police certificates, financial forms, and proof of your marriage. On the interview day, you pass security, submit your documents, take an oath, speak with the consular officer, and answer the US spouse visa interview questions. The interview usually lasts 10 to 20 minutes and focuses on your relationship history, daily life, immigration background, and financial stability.

After the interview, the officer either approves the visa, requests more documents, or issues a denial. If approved, the embassy keeps your passport to print your visa. Once you enter the United States with that visa, you automatically become a permanent resident. CR1 applicants receive a two-year conditional green card if the marriage is under two years old, while IR1 applicants receive a ten-year green card if they have been married for two years or more.

The Bottom Line

US spouse visa interview questions can sound scary at first, but when you break each one down, it becomes simple. The officer mainly wants to see that your marriage is real, your story is consistent, and you understand your responsibilities as a future permanent resident. If you prepare together, review your documents, and talk through your daily life and history, you will feel much more confident.

At Visa Library, we offer premium US CR1 and IR1 visa consultation for couples who want expert help with spouse visa cases, interview prep, and document review.

If you need support with any US spouse visa interview question, from basic identity topics to detailed marriage questions, we are here to guide you step by step so you do not walk into the interview alone.

FAQ

What to bring to a CR1/IR1 interview?

Bring your passport, interview letter, medical exam results, financial documents, marriage certificate, photos together, proof of relationship, and any supporting evidence listed by the embassy.

How long does the CR1/IR1 visa interview take?

Most interviews take 10 to 20 minutes, but some may take longer depending on the case or if extra questions are needed.

Can a US spouse visa be denied?

Yes, it can be denied for missing documents, weak relationship evidence, inconsistent answers, criminal issues, or past immigration violations.