I-485 Employment-Based Interview Here’s What to Expect.note

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I-485 Employment-Based Interview: Here’s What to Expect

Feb 02, 2018

When the USCIS announced in September that they would start requiring in-person

interviews for employment-based applicants who had filed an I-485 application for an

adjustment of status, uncertainty rippled through immigration law offices from coast to

coast. What would the interview be like? How would it differ from the family-based or

naturalization interviews? Would their list of questions differ from the previous list?

Should an attorney accompany the applicant? (If this development is news to you, check

out Robin Vermette’s pervious blog post on the topic, .

I recently had the opportunity to attend an employment-based interview for an adjustment

of status applicant and can allay your fears: The interview is straight-forward and parallels

the same I-485 questions as in family-based interviews. And, an attorney should

accompany the applicant if the applicant is concerned, but proper preparation can

diminish these concerns.

Here is how the process went at our USCIS field office: After waiting for about 15 minutes

in the waiting room, the Immigration Services Officer assigned to the case welcomed us

into her office. The Officer administered an oath to the client, asked for identification, and

commenced reviewing the I-485 application. After much paper shuffling, the Officer took

the client’s picture (glasses removed) and other biometrics, and began the interrogation

portion of the interview, asking questions of the applicant including: What is your name?

Where were you born? What are your parents’ names? Do you work? If so, in what

capacity? This line of questioning continued and covered almost of all of the items listed

on the Interview Notice checklist. The Officer reviewed current and past visas, passports,

paystubs, notices in the file, and other employment-related documents. Our client was

well-organized and had all of his documentation available. After 45 minutes, the interview

was over. The Officer stood up, smiled, and said “Congratulations.” The client was to

expect his green card in about two weeks. The client breathed a sigh of relief and we left

the building with smiles on our faces.

On our way out the door, the Officer gave us a tip: Put your last name on your mailbox. If

USCIS sends the green card but the post office returns it as undeliverable, then USCIS

will require an additional temporary visa application, accompanied with a whopping $400

fee.

here)

And, one word of advice from us: Bring a current letter of employment. This item is a new

requirement that is not listed on the Interview Notice. In a pinch, recent pay stubs might

suffice, but we recommend bringing a current letter of employment for extra assurances.

All in all it was a straightforward, painless experience, and at least this immigration law

office looks forward to the next immigration law development.