The citizenship interview is a major part of the process and can feel very intimidating. It’s doesn’t need to be. You get a lot of material beforehand so that you can prepare. By the time you walk through the door, you can feel confident that you’re going to do very well and that nothing will keep you from becoming an American citizen.
That said, because of how important this is, you want to give yourself every possible advantage. Here are a few tips that can help on the day of the interview:
- Give yourself extra time. Arrive early. Remember that parking may be hard to find; the last thing you want is to be running late because you had to park farther away than expected. This can also add stress to an already stressful day, which may impact how you do.
- Bring as little as you can with you. If you must bring a phone, turn it off. Read the list of restricted items before you arrive. Remember your most recent forms of identification.
- Go back over your own application. They’re going to want to talk about what you submitted, so be sure you remember it perfectly. Don’t assume you will just because you wrote it.
- Dress for success. They’re not judging you based on your clothes but dressing nicely shows that you take this seriously and that it is important to you, and that’s the impression you want to give.
At every stage in the immigration process, you need to know exactly what steps to take and what you can do to increase your own chances of success. An attorney experienced in citizenship, immigration and naturalization can provide all the information you need to help you in your quest to become a U.S. citizen.