Green Card Interview Questions: What USCIS Asks and How to Prepare
Updated October 31, 2026. Sources: USCIS.gov.
Not legal advice. GreenCardBlog.com is an independent information site, not a law firm and not affiliated with USCIS or any government agency. Immigration rules, fees and timelines change. Always confirm details on USCIS.gov and consider speaking with a licensed immigration attorney about your situation.
Many green card applicants who file Form I-485 are scheduled for an in-person interview at a USCIS field office. The officer's job is to confirm that the information in your application is true and that you're eligible. Here's what to expect, based on USCIS guidance.
Before the interview
- Your interview notice (Form I-797C) lists the date, office and documents to bring. Follow it exactly.
- If you need an interpreter, read your notice and the current USCIS instructions on interpreters at Preparing for Your Interview.
- Re-read every form you filed. Most questions come straight from your application.
What to bring
- The interview notice and a government photo ID
- Your passport(s) and any travel documents
- Originals of documents you sent copies of, such as birth and marriage certificates
- Updated evidence since you filed, such as new tax returns, pay stubs or proof of a shared household
- Anything the notice specifically lists
Typical questions
Officers commonly review your biographic details, immigration history and eligibility. Examples of the kinds of topics covered:
| Topic | Example questions |
|---|---|
| Identity and history | Full name, date and place of birth, addresses, employment |
| Immigration history | How and when you entered the U.S., visas held, any time out of status |
| Eligibility ('yes/no' questions) | The security and admissibility questions on Form I-485, such as arrests or prior immigration violations |
| Marriage-based cases | How you met, the wedding, who lives in the home, daily routines, finances, each other's families |
We don't list 'secret' questions because there aren't any. Answer truthfully. If you don't know or don't remember, say so rather than guessing.
After the interview
The officer may approve the case, ask for more evidence (you may get Form N-14 or a Request for Evidence), or tell you a decision will be mailed. Track your case with your receipt number on the USCIS Case Status page.
Should a lawyer come with you?
You may bring an attorney or accredited representative who has filed Form G-28. It's worth considering if your case has complications. See how to find a green card lawyer.
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