How To Prepare for Your Immigration Consultation

Many, but not all, immigrants will need an immigration attorney to realize their goals. To do the best possible job on your behalf, an immigration attorney will need your input and cooperation.

These intake questions will ask you questions about your immigration status, employment, family, and immigration history.

Sample Intake Questionnaire

Here, you can find a list of the standard immigration intake questions. These range from basic biographical information like your name and contact information to the more complicated employment and past immigration history. You should always tell your immigration lawyer if you have had past cases with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) or any other open immigration cases.

While this list of questions may seem excessive, they are important in helping the attorney give the best legal advice for your case. It also helps them determine the best visa for your needs. The following information summarizes a basic list of common questions you can expect to answer in your first meeting with your attorney:

• Your name
• Any other name you have used
• Your address
• Your phone number
• City and country of birth
• Date of birth
• Passport country, number, and expiration date
• I-94 admission number and expiration date
• Social Security number
• Place and date of your last entry to the United States
• Your U.S. visa category and visa expiration date
• Your marital status
• Spouse's name
• Any other name the spouse has used
• Spouse's address
• Spouse's telephone and fax numbers
• Spouse's city and country of birth
• Spouse's birth date
• Spouse's passport country, number, and expiration date
• Spouse's I-94 admission number and expiration date
• Spouse's Social Security number
• Spouse's place and date of last entry to the United States
• Spouse's U.S. visa category and visa expiration date
• Names of your, and your spouse's, former spouses and when and how the marriage was terminated
• Your children: names, sex, marital status, birth date, birth country, immigration status, address:
• Your parents: names, birth dates, citizenship, birth country, address
• Your spouse's parents: names, birth dates, citizenship, birth country, address:
• Your relatives who are or who have ever been U.S. citizens:
• Name and location of your university/secondary school, dates attended, field of study, degree:
• Your occupation
• Your spouse's occupation
• Each of your employers for the last five years (address, position, start and finish date)
• Each of your addresses for the last five years, including the move-in and move-out dates
• All the organizations that you and your spouse have belonged to
• Any crimes you have committed

Seek Legal Advice from an Immigration Attorney

Going through the complexities of U.S. immigration law can be challenging and confusing. But if you have questions about the application process, contact an immigration attorney near you. You should be prepared with the information in this article, and you will likely get asked to answer a similar questionnaire. They can give you personalized legal advice, particularly tailored to your case. Immigration attorneys can help you understand your visa options and how you could get an immigrant status.