What to Expect at Your Immigration Interview

Few moments in the immigration process feel more significant than the interview. After months — sometimes years — of paperwork, waiting, and uncertainty, you are finally sitting across from a USCIS officer who will help determine the outcome of your case. For many people, the thought of that interview is nerve-wracking. But the reality is that most immigration interviews are straightforward, and knowing what to expect beforehand makes a genuine difference.

This guide walks through what happens at the most common types of immigration interviews — green card interviews, naturalization interviews, and asylum interviews — so you can walk in prepared and confident.

Why Immigration Interviews Happen

An immigration interview gives USCIS the opportunity to verify the information in your application, confirm your identity, and assess your eligibility for the benefit you are seeking in person. It is not designed to trick you or catch you off guard. The officer’s job is to review your case and make a decision — and in most cases, a well-prepared applicant with honest, consistent answers has nothing to fear.

Most applicants for adjustment of status (green cards inside the United States) and naturalization are required to attend an interview. Asylum applicants go through a separate interview process depending on whether they applied affirmatively with USCIS or defensively in immigration court.

Green Card Interviews: What to Expect

If you filed Form I-485 to adjust your status to lawful permanent residence inside the United States, you will almost certainly be required to attend an interview at a USCIS field office near you. In Connecticut, USCIS field offices serving residents include the Hartford office.

The green card interview is sometimes called the I-485 interview or adjustment of status interview. For many applicants, it is the final step before receiving a permanent resident card.

What Happens in the Room

When you arrive, you will check in and wait to be called. The USCIS officer will introduce themselves, place you under oath, and begin reviewing your application. They will verify your identity by checking your passport and other documents, review the forms you submitted, and ask questions to confirm that the information in your application is accurate and current.

The officer will ask about your immigration history — how you entered the United States, any prior visas or petitions, previous periods of unlawful status, and any travel outside the country. They will also go through the yes/no background questions from Form I-485, which cover criminal history, immigration violations, and security-related matters. Even if you answered “no” on the form, the officer will ask these questions again under oath. Answer honestly and calmly. If you have anything to disclose, be prepared to explain it briefly and provide relevant documentation.

Most green card interviews last approximately 20 to 30 minutes.

Marriage-Based Green Card Interviews

If your green card is based on marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, the officer’s primary concern is confirming that your marriage is genuine — not entered into for the purpose of obtaining immigration benefits. Questions will feel more personal than in other interview types. The officer may ask about how you met, your daily routines as a couple, your living arrangements, your shared finances, and details about your spouse’s family.

Both spouses are typically required to attend. In some cases, officers will interview spouses separately to compare their answers. Consistency and honesty are the most important things you can bring to a marriage-based interview. If there are minor inconsistencies in your answers — for example, disagreement on a small detail like what restaurant you went to on your first date — do not panic. Officers understand that couples do not remember every detail identically. What they are looking for is a genuine, coherent picture of a real relationship.

What to Bring to Your Green Card Interview

Your USCIS appointment notice will specify what to bring, and you should follow those instructions carefully. In general, plan to bring:

• Your appointment notice (Form I-797C)
• A valid government-issued photo ID, such as your passport
• Your original civil documents — birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decrees if applicable
• Copies of all forms submitted in your application package
• Any Employment Authorization Document or advance parole document you have received
• Updated financial documents if your household income has changed since filing

Naturalization Interviews: What to Expect

If you have applied for U.S. citizenship by filing Form N-400, your interview will combine a review of your application with an English and civics test.

The Application Review

The USCIS officer will go through your N-400 application question by question, asking you to confirm your answers under oath. They will ask about your time as a lawful permanent resident — how long you have lived at your current address, your employment history, any travel outside the United States, and whether your marital status has changed. They will also ask the background questions on the form covering criminal history, prior immigration violations, and related matters.

If anything has changed since you filed your N-400 — a new address, a new job, a recent trip abroad, or any contact with law enforcement — be prepared to update the officer. Failing to disclose relevant changes can create problems even for otherwise strong applications.

The English and Civics Test

Unless you qualify for an exemption based on age and years of permanent residence, or for an accommodation based on a disability, you will take both an English and a civics test at your naturalization interview.

The English test evaluates your ability to read, write, and speak basic English. The officer evaluates your speaking ability through the interview itself. For reading, you will be asked to read one of three sentences correctly. For writing, you will be asked to write one of three sentences correctly.

The civics test is an oral examination covering U.S. history and government. For applicants who filed Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025, USCIS administers the 2025 civics test, which consists of 20 questions drawn from a list of 128. You must answer 12 correctly to pass. For applicants who filed before that date, the 2008 test applies — 10 questions from a list of 100, with 6 correct answers required to pass.

If you do not pass a portion of the test at your first interview, you will be given a second opportunity between 60 and 90 days later.

Asylum Interviews: What to Expect

Asylum interviews differ from green card and naturalization interviews in important ways. Rather than verifying application details, the asylum interview is focused on evaluating the merits of your protection claim.

Affirmative Asylum Interviews

If you applied for asylum affirmatively — meaning you filed Form I-589 with USCIS before being placed in removal proceedings — your interview will take place at an asylum office. You have the right to bring an attorney or accredited representative with you, and you are strongly encouraged to do so. You may also bring an interpreter if you need one, though USCIS does not provide interpreters for these interviews.

The asylum officer will review your I-589 and ask you to describe the persecution you experienced or fear, the reasons for that persecution, and why you cannot return safely to your home country. The interview is a critical opportunity to tell your story, clarify details in your application, and provide any additional evidence that supports your claim.

Adjustment of Status Interviews for Asylees

If you have already been granted asylum and are applying for a green card after one year, your interview is different in character. The officer is not re-evaluating your asylum claim — that has already been decided. Instead, the interview focuses on your eligibility to adjust status: your physical presence in the United States, your continued asylee status, and your admissibility as a permanent resident.

General Tips for Any Immigration Interview

Regardless of what type of interview you are attending, a few principles apply across the board.

Arrive early. USCIS offices have security screening, and lines can be longer than expected. Plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before your scheduled appointment time.

Bring everything on your document checklist. Missing documents can delay a decision or result in a request for evidence. Review your appointment notice carefully and prepare your documents the night before.

Tell the truth. This cannot be overstated. Inconsistencies between what you said on your application and what you say in the interview — or between what you and your spouse say separately — raise red flags. USCIS officers have access to your full application file and background check results. Honesty is always the right approach.

Keep answers focused. Answer the question asked, then stop. Volunteering additional information that was not requested can create unnecessary complications.

Bring your attorney if you have one. You are allowed to have legal representation present at any USCIS interview. Your attorney cannot answer questions for you, but they can object to improper questioning, advise you on legal issues that arise during the interview, and provide important support if complications come up.

Stay calm. Nervousness is completely normal and officers understand that. Take a breath before answering if you need to. If you do not understand a question, ask the officer to repeat or rephrase it.

What Happens After the Interview

In many green card cases, the officer will approve the application at the end of the interview and tell you to expect your permanent resident card in the mail. In other cases — particularly when additional document review is needed — the officer may issue a decision at a later date. If additional evidence is required, you will receive a Request for Evidence by mail.

For naturalization, an approval at the interview does not make you a citizen. You must still attend a naturalization ceremony and take the Oath of Allegiance. USCIS will schedule that ceremony after your interview is approved.

If your application is denied, you will receive a written notice explaining the reasons. Depending on the type of case, you may have options to appeal, file a motion to reopen, or address the issue in immigration court. If you receive a denial, consult with an immigration attorney immediately.

When an Attorney Makes a Difference

Many immigration interviews go smoothly without legal representation, particularly in straightforward cases with clean immigration histories. But if your case involves prior immigration violations, criminal history, prior removal orders, complicated marriage circumstances, or a complex asylum claim, having an attorney by your side at the interview can be essential.

At Norte Immigration Law, our attorneys prepare Connecticut clients for every type of immigration interview — reviewing the application, identifying potential problem areas, preparing you for likely questions, and attending the interview with you to provide real-time guidance. If you have an interview coming up and want to make sure you are ready, contact Norte Immigration Law today for a consultation.