The genuineness of relationship interview is a significant and important stage in the process, since the interpretation of the interview is given exclusively to the clerks and it serves them to get an impression of the couple. Most refusals to open a case file, which can lead to years of unnecessary legal proceedings, are caused by the couple arriving to the interview without representation and without preparation in advance.
As part of the interview, the foreign spouse is entitled to be interviewed in his/her native language and preferred language, and the Ministry of Interior will have to bring an interpreter for him/her.
The interview begins with the identification of the couple, checking their identification documents, and then the couple will be separated and interviewed separately from one another. They will be asked a long series of questions. If they live together, some of the questions will be about the joint residence, neighbors, household chores, financial matters and more. If they do not yet live together, as in cases where the foreign spouse has not yet received approval to enter Israel, the couple will be asked questions about each other’s daily routine, where they work, hobbies, if there are medical conditions, and other personal questions that couples are expected to know about each other. For example, one of the most common questions is how the couple met.
Two important things are examined during the interview: first, it is checked that the couple’s answers match each other, and second, it is checked whether the couple knows substantive things about each other; also, in the interview it can be checked whether the couple knows details that they can reasonably be expected to know if they live together. This is an important tool for the Ministry of Interior.
As mentioned, this is the most critical stage in the process, which serves as the basis for many refusals. Couples also sometimes come from different cultures or customs that can affect the interview. For example, a common question asked is how many rooms are in the apartment. In Israel it is customary to count the living room as another room, but in most countries the answer to this question would only include the number of bedrooms; this could lead to contradicting answers in the interview. Also, many couples who have been together for many years forget how they celebrated their birthdays this year. Therefore, proper legal representation at this stage can prevent refusal, and moreover – it can prevent years of unnecessary legal disputes.
If you need representation in a family reunification or common law marriage procedure, or if you need representation at the interview stage, you are welcome to contact our office as soon as possible and schedule a consultation meeting at no cost.