US visa and asylum interview questions

US asylum interview questions

At an affirmative asylum interview, a USCIS asylum officer asks about your identity, your journey and why you fear returning. Here are the questions officers usually ask and how to prepare to tell your story clearly, truthfully and consistently.

Questions officers often ask

1. Please state your full name, date of birth and country of nationality.What they check: Your identity matches your Form I-589 and documents.
2. When and how did you enter the United States?What they check: Your entry and the one-year filing deadline.
3. Why did you leave your country?What they check: The main reason for your claim, in your own words.
4. What happened to you? Tell me in order, with dates and places.What they check: Detail and consistency with your written statement.
5. Who harmed or threatened you, and why do you think they targeted you?What they check: The link to race, religion, nationality, political opinion or a particular social group.
6. Did you report it to the police or authorities? What happened?What they check: Whether your government could or would protect you.
7. What do you fear will happen if you return?What they check: The future risk to you.
8. Could you live safely in another part of your country?What they check: Whether relocating inside your country was possible.
9. Which countries did you pass through, and did you ask for protection there?What they check: Your travel route and any other safe country.
10. Have you ever been arrested, or harmed anyone, or belonged to an armed group?What they check: Bars to asylum and security checks.
11. Who are your family members and where are they now?What they check: Family listed on your application.
12. Is everything in your application true and complete? Do you want to correct anything?What they check: Your chance to fix mistakes before the officer decides.

How to prepare

• Read your Form I-589 and your written statement again. Your answers must match them.
• Practice telling what happened in order: dates, places, who did what. If you do not remember something, say so; never guess or invent.
• Read your interview notice: it says whether you must bring your own interpreter.
• Bring certified English translations of every document that is not in English.
• If you can, prepare with a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative, who may come with you.

Documents to bring

• Interview notice and photo ID or passport
• Copy of your Form I-589 and everything you filed
• Original documents that support your story, with certified translations
• Your interpreter, if the notice says to bring one

How to practice this interview on Dyalo

1. Open Interview studio and choose "Other: describe your interview"

Sign in, open Interview studio, set Interview type to "Other: describe your interview", and describe your interview in a few lines: the type, where it happens and your situation. You can type or press Speak and talk in any language. Add the country where it takes place.

2. Generate your questions

Choose the interview language (for example English, or your own language to understand first), then press Generate questions and answers. Dyalo writes the questions this kind of officer usually asks, with a sample answer built only from what you wrote. Replace anything in [brackets] with your real facts.

3. Simulate the interview and answer out loud

Press Simulate interview: one voice plays the officer, and you answer before you hear the sample. Then open Speaking coach to record your answers and get scores for clarity, pace and confidence, with tips.

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Questions

Official information

• USCIS: Affirmative asylum process

Other interview types

Refugee interview (USRAP)F-1 student visa interviewB1/B2 visitor visa interviewR-1 religious worker visa interviewImmigrant visa (green card) interview

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