USCIS Expands In-Person Interview Requirements for Certain Permanent Residency Applicants

Effective October 1, 2017, USCIS has begun phasing-in in-person interviews for certain immigration benefit applicants whose benefit, if granted, would allow them to permanently reside in the United States.

This change complies with Executive Order 13780, “Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry Into the United States,” and is part of the agency’s comprehensive strategy to further improve the detection and prevention of fraud and further enhance the integrity of the immigration system.

The interviews will be conducted for the following:

• Adjustment of status applications based on employment, and

• Refugee/asylee relative petitions for beneficiaries who are in the United States and are petitioning to join a principal asylee/refugee applicant.

Previously, applicants in these categories did not require an in-person interview with USCIS. Beyond these categories, USCIS is planning an incremental expansion of interviews to other benefit types.

Source: USCIS.