How to Prepare for an Interview With USCIS
Preparing for an interview with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is an important step in the immigration process. Whether you are applying for naturalization, adjustment of status, or another benefit, understanding what to expect—and how to prepare—can dramatically improve your experience and the outcome of your case. The following guide provides a detailed overview to help applicants approach their interview with confidence.
Preparing Before the Interview
One of the first and most important steps in preparing for your interview is to carefully read and re-read your USCIS interview notice. This document contains essential information about the date, time, and location of your appointment, as well as any specific instructions regarding documents you must bring. Make sure you fully understand the details and plan your travel accordingly. In cities like New York, for example, security officers will not allow you into the building until 15 minutes before your scheduled time. Even so, it is wise to arrive slightly earlier in case there are long lines outside the building.
Organizing your documents in advance is also critical. USCIS officers expect applicants to present documents quickly and efficiently. Keep your paperwork arranged in a way that is easy for you and your attorney to access. If you are represented, your attorney can help organize your materials ahead of time and will hand documents to the officer as needed.
What to Expect From Your Attorney
Your attorney plays an important role in preparing you for the interview. Before the appointment, your attorney should discuss what to expect during the interview, review any issues that may arise, and help you practice answering questions clearly and accurately. In an ideal scenario, the attorney’s role during the interview is minimal: they are present primarily to ensure the process goes smoothly and to step in only if necessary.
If the USCIS officer asks inappropriate questions, behaves unprofessionally, or appears to misunderstand key facts, your attorney may politely intervene. In more serious situations, the attorney can request that a supervisor join the interview to resolve the issue. Applicants with complicated histories—such as prior denials, multiple marriage-based filings, arrests, DUIs, crimes involving moral turpitude (CIMTs), prior waivers, or public charge concerns—should expect additional preparation time with their attorney.
What Happens When You Arrive at the USCIS Office
On the day of the interview, plan to arrive approximately 15 minutes before your scheduled time, or slightly earlier if you anticipate delays at security. All applicants must go through security screening similar to airport procedures. After security, you will check in at the front desk and be instructed to wait in a designated seating area until your name is called.
Another small but surprisingly important detail involves the type of appointment notice you bring. USCIS technically accepts notices printed from the online MyUSCIS account, but in practice, some officers or front-desk staff become particular if you present anything other than the original notice sent by mail. It may feel unreasonable, but it happens often enough that applicants should take it seriously. Whenever possible, bring the original paper notice you received via regular mail. If you did not receive one, or if the mailed notice was lost, make sure to print a clear copy from your online account and explain the situation politely if questioned at check-in. Being prepared for this minor issue can prevent unnecessary stress on the day of your interview.
When the USCIS officer is ready for you, you will be escorted to an interview room. The officer will begin by placing you under oath, reminding you that all answers must be truthful and complete.
What to Expect During the Interview
General Interview Procedures
During the interview, the USCIS officer will review your application forms and verify the information you provided. It is extremely important that you listen to each question carefully. Never answer a question you do not fully understand. A mistaken “yes” or “no” can create significant complications. If the officer’s question is unclear, you may ask them to repeat or rephrase it.
Naturalization (N-400) Interviews
Recent reports from AILA members confirm that USCIS now requires officers to ask every single question in Part 9 (“Additional Information About You”) of Form N-400. This is a nationwide mandate issued by USCIS headquarters. Applicants should expect a thorough and sometimes lengthy review of the entire form.
In addition to reviewing Form N-400, naturalization interviews include the civics test and the writing and reading tests. You should be prepared to demonstrate your ability to speak, read, and write simple English sentences and to answer questions about U.S. history and government.
Marriage-Based Interviews
All marriage-based adjustment of status applicants should expect an interview, as USCIS has increasingly reduced or eliminated interview waivers. Officers will review the bona fides of the marriage—the evidence showing that the relationship is genuine. This includes joint financial records, photographs, lease agreements, tax returns, and other proof of a shared life.
In many jurisdictions, including New York City, couples are normally interviewed together during the initial interview. However, “Stokes” interviews, where spouses are separated and asked identical sets of questions to compare their answers, are becoming more common nationwide. In New York, USCIS must provide advance notice before conducting a Stokes interview, so separated questioning typically occurs only during a second interview.
Applicants should also be alert to two questions that frequently cause confusion: questions about polygamy and questions about espionage. These are routine security inquiries, but many applicants panic or misinterpret them. Clear and honest answers are essential.
At the conclusion of the interview, the officer will provide a notice indicating whether the decision is being made immediately or held for further review.
After the Interview
In many cases, USCIS issues a decision shortly after the interview. Applicants usually receive a paper notice in the mail confirming approval, followed by the green card itself. In some situations, the card sent via USPS certified mail may even arrive before the official approval notice. However, delays are not uncommon, especially if the officer requires additional review or supervisory approval.
Recent Trends and Additional Considerations
USCIS policies and practices continue to evolve, and applicants should be aware of several current trends.
N400 Interviews – AILA members have consistently reported that, in the last month, USCIS Immigration Services Officers now ask every single question for Part 9 (“Additional Information About You”) of Form N-400during the interview. Anecdotal reports from various AILA attorneys across the country reveal USCIS headquarters issued this mandate to field offices. It is recommended that members prepare themselves and their clients accordingly.
Reduction or Elimination of Interview Waivers: Many field offices are now requiring interviews for nearly all family-based adjustment cases with a pending Form I-130. Some offices are also cancelling interview waivers for employment-based Form I-485 applications. Applicants should be prepared for the possibility of an interview even if they were previously told it may be waived.
Stokes (Fraud) Interviews for Spousal Cases – Members in Phoenix, AZ and Seattle, WA are reporting that ISOs at these field offices are commencing all initial, marriage-based adjustment of status interviews by separating the petitioner and beneficiary and interviewing them separately (“aka” Stokes Interview). The frequency of Stokes interviews has also increased across other field offices. Only the San Jose Field Office (Northern CA) has confirmed that no Stokes interviews are occurring.
Telephonic Appearances and Interpreters: Although most field offices have not changed their policies regarding telephonic appearances, interpreters are still required to appear in person. Applicants using an interpreter should confirm local requirements with their attorney.
Advance Parole (AP) Trends: Reports of AP denials, particularly for individuals who entered without inspection, have circulated in recent years. While some field offices have resumed approving certain DACA-based AP requests, others continue to issue denials. Emergency AP for DACA recipients remains unpredictable.
Arrests at USCIS Field Offices: A growing number of reports indicate that ICE is collaborating with USCIS to arrest certain applicants during or after interviews, particularly at I-130 spousal petition interviews. Applicants with prior criminal history, removal orders, or complex immigration histories should consult closely with counsel to assess risks before attending.
Final Thoughts
A USCIS interview can feel intimidating, but thorough preparation and a clear understanding of the process can make the experience far more manageable. Review your appointment notice carefully, organize your documents, work closely with your attorney, and practice answering questions calmly and truthfully. With proper preparation, most interviews proceed smoothly, and many applicants receive a decision shortly afterward.