Not everyone applying for a family-based green card will have an interview, but many applicants do.
Whether you will have an interview depends on your type of application and how USCIS reviews your case. If an interview is required, USCIS will send you an appointment notice with the date, time, and location.
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Adjustment of Status Applicants
If you are applying using the adjustment of status pathway, USCIS may schedule an interview at your local field office.
Many family-based adjustment of status applicants are interviewed, especially spouses of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. However, USCIS has the authority to waive the interview for some applicants if they determine it is not necessary.
Consular Processing Applicants
If you are applying for your immigrant visa from outside the United States, you should expect to attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your home country or country of residence. This interview is an important step before an immigrant visa can be issued.
How Will I Know?
If an interview is required, USCIS or the National Visa Center (NVC) will notify you by mail or through your online account. Your appointment notice will include instructions about when to appear and what documents to bring.
Until you receive an interview notice, there is nothing you need to do except continue checking your mail and your online account for updates.
It is normal to feel nervous before your interview. The good news is that you can prepare ahead of time. The interview is your chance to confirm the information in your application and answer any questions the immigration officer may have.
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Practice Together
If your case is based on a marriage, spend some time reviewing your application together before the interview. Focus on making sure you both remember important details and tell your story accurately.
You can practice talking about:
- How you met
- Your first dates
- When your relationship became serious
- Your engagement or wedding
- Where you live together
- Your daily routines
- Important dates, such as birthdays or anniversaries
- Future plans as a couple
If you notice that one of you remembers a detail differently, talk about it before the interview. Reviewing your timeline together can help you feel more confident.
Don't Try to Memorize Answers
Officers are looking for honest answers. It's okay if you don't remember every small detail. If you don't know or can't remember something, it's better to say so than to guess.
"I feel like we tend to overthink and think of every possible thing that could go wrong when, most of the times, being honest is all we need to do. I think we all are nervous during interviews since it's a very important step in our lives."
Read the ThreadGather Your Documents
Your interview notice will tell you what you need, but generally, you should bring:
- Your interview appointment notice
- A valid government-issued photo ID (such as a passport)
- Original civil documents, if requested
- Updated financial documents, if requested
- Evidence supporting your application, if requested
- Any additional documents listed in your appointment notice
If your case is based on marriage, it is also a good idea to bring updated evidence showing that your relationship has continued since you filed your application. Examples include:
- Recent photos together
- Joint bank account statements
- Lease or mortgage documents
- Utility bills
- Insurance policies
- Birth certificates of children you share
Review Your Application
Before your interview, read through the forms and documents you submitted to USCIS or the National Visa Center. Be prepared to answer questions about the information you provided.
If anything has changed since you filed your application, such as your address, job, or family situation, be prepared to let the officer know.
Get Ready for the Day
Plan to arrive early, dress neatly, and give yourself extra time for parking and security screening. Bringing an organized folder with your documents can make the check-in process much easier and help you feel more prepared.
"Take any and all documentation with you, and not just the ones that are new, but even the ones from the initial filling. Take copies of literally everything you think will make your case stronger. Consider arranging it in an accordion/harmonium folder, like the ones you get in an office supply store or Amazon, and use the different compartments to prepare yourself for success e.g. one compartment for a stack of pages with photographs printed out alongside the names of the people in each photo and a date for each photo, another compartment for the marriage certificate, yet another for joint accounts, then one for joint tax returns, etc. This isn't the time to go hug trees, unfortunately - you don't want to be in a situation where the IO asks you to present a document, you didn't have it with you for whatever reason, and then you get issued an RFE."
Read the ThreadEvery interview is different, but most follow a similar process. The officer will review your application, ask questions about your case, and confirm that you are eligible for a green card.
"Here are some general tips:
- Always tell the truth
- Always answer the question directly. If asked about what time it is, do not talk about watch you are wearing
- If you do not know, say you do not know instead of making up answers
- Keep answers short. If it can be "yes/no" say yes or no. Do not tell stories unless asked to. Example of answer ti question "How did you meet?" >>> "We met through a common friend" THAT'S IT. They will follow up if they need to.
- There will be moments of silence. This is normal. Let officer type / do work in background
- Be careful with jokes, not everybody shares the same sense of humor
- Do not pressure officer for decision, e.g. things like "Officer, when would I get approval? We have vacation planned in 3 weeks" etc. Best case they will lie about approving without actually approving. Worst case, they will slow walk it due to pressure."
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When You Arrive
Plan to arrive a little early. After checking in, you may need to go through a security screening before entering the waiting area.
During the Interview
Most family-based green card interviews last between 20 and 45 minutes, although some may be shorter or longer depending on the case.
During your interview, the officer will usually:
- Verify your identity
- Place you under oath to tell the truth
- Review your application
- Ask questions about your eligibility
- Request any additional documents, if needed
You and your spouse will usually attend the interview together. In most cases, you will be interviewed together in the same room. The officer will most likely ask questions about your relationship to better understand your history together. These questions help the officer confirm that your marriage is genuine.
If the officer has concerns or needs more information, they may decide to interview each of you separately. This is sometimes called a Stokes interview. It does not happen in most cases, but it is a tool USCIS may use to better understand a relationship if questions arise. Most applicants however, complete a standard interview together and do not have a separate interview.