Most green card applicants today will sit for an in-person interview. If you filed Form I-485 to adjust status inside the United States, that interview happens at a USCIS field office. If you're applying for an immigrant visa from abroad, it happens at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Either way, the officer's job is the same: confirm, under oath, that everything in your application is true and that you're eligible for the green card or visa you're seeking. This article covers what to bring, what gets asked, when a marriage case gets split into a separate "Stokes" interview, and what happens next depending on the outcome.
Two different interviews — know which one applies to you
Adjustment of status (I-485) interview: Held at a USCIS field office if you're already in the U.S. You, and usually the person who petitioned for you, appear together before a USCIS officer.
Immigrant visa (consular) interview: Held at a U.S. embassy or consulate if you're applying from outside the U.S. through the National Visa Center (NVC) process, after filing Form DS-260 online. A consular officer, not USCIS, makes the decision.
The questions and evidence overlap heavily, but the paperwork, agency, and appeal rules differ. Your interview notice will tell you which one you have and exactly where and when to appear — follow it precisely.
What to bring to a USCIS adjustment-of-status interview
Bring the originals of everything you or your petitioner submitted, plus your notice. At minimum:
Your interview appointment notice (Form I-797C)
A valid passport or other government-issued photo ID, even if expired
Your Form I-94 record and any prior immigration documents, expired or not
Original copies of civil documents you filed — birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decrees if any, and certified translations
Updated proof of income or the financial sponsor's ability to support you (recent tax return, pay stubs, employer letter), since the Affidavit of Support obligation is assessed as of the interview date
For marriage-based cases: current joint evidence — lease or mortgage documents, joint bank or credit accounts, insurance beneficiary designations, recent photos together, texts or correspondence
Any medical exam (Form I-693) if it wasn't already submitted and is still within its validity period
Your notice may list case-specific items — read it in full and bring what it asks for, not just this general list. Officers ask you to sign and swear to your application, so review your own I-485 beforehand and be ready to explain anything that's changed since you filed (new address, new job, a child born, a name change).
What to bring to a consular interview abroad
If you're doing consular processing, the National Visa Center schedules your interview after you complete the DS-260 and upload civil documents through CEAC. Bring:
Your NVC appointment letter and printed DS-260 confirmation page
A valid passport (check the embassy's specific validity requirement)
Original or certified copies of the civil documents you uploaded (they're generally returned to you at the interview)
Passport-style photos meeting the required specifications
Results of your medical exam from an embassy-approved panel physician
Document and appointment requirements vary by embassy, so check the specific U.S. embassy or consulate's instructions page on travel.state.gov before you go.
What happens in the interview room
Expect questions that track your application: how you entered the U.S., your immigration and travel history, your job or sponsor, your family, and — for marriage cases — how you met, your wedding, your living situation, and daily life together. The officer is checking that your answers match your paperwork and each other. Answer truthfully and directly; if you don't understand a question, say so and ask for it to be repeated or clarified rather than guessing.
If you can't proceed comfortably in English, you're generally responsible for bringing your own competent interpreter — an adult who is fluent in English and your language and isn't your attorney or a witness in your case — unless your notice says USCIS or the post will provide one. Confirm this on your specific notice, since practices vary by office.
Marriage cases and the Stokes interview
A standard marriage-based interview is usually one joint session with both spouses in the room. If the officer sees inconsistencies, thin documentation of a shared life, or other red flags, the case can be escalated to a "Stokes" interview — named after a court case that set procedural protections for this process. In a Stokes interview, you and your spouse are questioned separately, often in detail about daily routines, each other's habits, and your relationship history, and the answers are then compared for consistency. It can take several hours and may include a follow-up joint session.
A Stokes interview is a sign the officer has a fraud concern to resolve — it is not an automatic denial, and inconsistencies alone (nerves, memory, translation) don't necessarily doom a case. But it's a serious moment, and if you're notified you're headed into one, or you have reason to think fraud will be an issue in your case, that's a strong signal to talk with a qualified immigration attorney beforehand rather than go in unprepared.
After the interview: approval, RFE, continuance, or denial
Approval: Sometimes announced at the interview, sometimes confirmed later by mail or online case status, followed by your green card or visa in the mail.
Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID): USCIS asks for specific additional documents or explanation. The notice states your exact deadline to respond — read it carefully and calendar it; missing it can result in denial.
Continuance: The officer wants more information or time (for example, waiting on a background-check result or a second interview) and holds the case open rather than deciding immediately.
Denial: The denial notice explains the reason. Depending on the ground, your options can include a motion to reopen or reconsider with USCIS, refiling if you're still eligible, or — for some cases — the matter proceeding in immigration court under the Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). Any of these paths has its own strict deadline stated in your notice; don't guess at it.
A significant 2026 policy shift — verify before you go
Two changes are reshaping this process and are worth confirming close to your interview date. First, USCIS has scaled back interview waivers, so an in-person interview is now the default expectation for nearly all adjustment-of-status applicants rather than something reserved for complicated cases. Second, in a policy memorandum dated May 21, 2026, USCIS described adjustment of status as discretionary, "extraordinary" relief rather than a routine procedural step, directing officers to weigh the totality of a case — including any immigration violations and overall equities — rather than approve automatically once basic eligibility is met. Because this guidance is new, still being interpreted, and may be applied differently case by case, don't rely on older articles (including general ones) for how it works in practice. Check the current USCIS Policy Manual and your own case correspondence, and strongly consider a consultation with a qualified immigration attorney before your interview if your case has any complicating facts.
What to do to prepare
Read your interview notice fully and confirm the date, time, location, and what it asks you to bring.
Gather originals of everything filed, plus updated proof (income, relationship, address) current as of the interview.
Review your own application so you can explain every answer on it, including anything that's changed since filing.
Arrange a qualifying interpreter in advance if you need one and your notice doesn't guarantee one will be provided.
Note your I-94 expiration date and any other pending deadlines in your case, and don't let your authorized stay lapse while waiting on a decision without checking your options.
If you get an RFE, NOID, or denial, mark the exact deadline in the notice immediately and respond or consult an attorney well before it.
Beware notario fraud: In the U.S., a "notario público" is not a lawyer and has no authority to represent you in an immigration case. Only a licensed attorney or a representative accredited by the Department of Justice can legally give you immigration legal advice or represent you before USCIS or immigration court. Verify credentials before paying anyone, and report suspected fraud to USCIS or your state attorney general.
This article is general information, not legal advice, and does not create an attorney-client relationship. Immigration interviews can have serious, sometimes irreversible consequences — consider consulting a qualified immigration attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative about your specific case.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bring my attorney to the interview?
Yes. If you have an attorney or a DOJ-accredited representative, they can generally accompany and represent you at the interview. Notify USCIS or the consulate in advance using the form or process your notice specifies.
What if I don't speak English well — will USCIS provide an interpreter?
Usually you're responsible for bringing your own competent interpreter (an adult fluent in both languages who isn't your attorney or a case witness), unless your specific notice says the office will provide one. Check your notice, since practices vary by field office.
Does being sent to a Stokes interview mean I'll be denied?
No. It means the officer wants to resolve a specific concern, often inconsistencies or thin documentation, by questioning spouses separately. Many Stokes interviews still end in approval once the officer is satisfied.
What happens if I miss my interview?
Missing it without rescheduling in advance can lead to denial or administrative closure of your case. If you can't attend, contact USCIS or the consulate to reschedule as soon as possible and follow their process for showing good cause.
Is the green card interview the same as the citizenship (naturalization) interview?
No. This is the interview for your green card application (I-485 or the immigrant visa). The naturalization interview happens years later, when you apply for U.S. citizenship on Form N-400, and covers different requirements including a civics and English test.
This article is general legal information, not legal advice, and may not reflect the most current law or the law in your jurisdiction. Laws vary by state and change over time. For advice about your specific situation, consult a licensed attorney.
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