I-485 Interview Waiver

Can I Waive My Green Card Interview? Learn From Our Columbus Green Card Lawyers!

After you file a form I-485 green card application for permanent residence, you may receive a notice in the mail from the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) advising you that you are required to attend an interview at the local USCIS district office where you will be questioned by an immigration officer. But not every case requires an interview. There are several circumstances in which the USCIS has determined that an immigration interview is unnecessary.

If you have questions about obtaining a green card and would like to consult with an attorney, contact The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates. We have over 50 years of combined legal experience in a wide variety of complex and immigration law matters.

How Long Does It Typically Take To Receive A Decision On An I-485 Interview Waiver Request?

You can normally anticipate a response on an I-485 Interview Waiver request within a few months, though the timing for receiving a decision can vary. It's critical to realize that a number of variables, including the particulars of your case and the volume of work that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is currently dealing with, affect this schedule.

We at The Law Firm Of Shihab & Associates, being seasoned immigration attorneys in Columbus, have assisted many clients in navigating the complexities of the I-485 procedure. USCIS will evaluate your application and accompanying materials without requiring an in-person interview if you are eligible for an interview waiver. This can speed up the procedure, but make sure your application is complete and well-prepared.

The determination period is normally between three and six months, but it might be longer or shorter depending on the specifics of each case and how well the material is submitted. In order to minimize delays and raise the possibility of a successful result, our team of immigration attorneys in Columbus is committed to assisting you in building a compelling case.

It's also important to remember that the USCIS could ask for more information or proof, which could cause the decision-making process to take longer. It's critical to follow up frequently and to reply to USCIS demands as soon as possible. We at The Law Firm Of Shihab & Associates monitor these exchanges to ensure the smooth progression of your application.

Contact our office via online form or call (888) 915-5057 to schedule a consultation or learn more about how we can assist you with your immigration needs. We serve clients in Columbus, OH, Fairfax, VA, Washington, DC, Southfield, MI, Cleveland, OH and beyond! Se habla Español. Our services are also available in Arabic.

What Happens at the I-485 Interview?

When you attend an interview, you will be placed under oath and questioned by an immigration officer. The meeting will be videotaped, and it may take an hour or longer. The reason for the interview is for USCIS to verify that the supporting documentation that you submitted with your application is correct, whether you qualify for a green card if anything has changed since the case was filed, or any other issue that may affect your application. Normally, the interview is nothing to be afraid of if your case is an honest case and you do qualify, but it can be somewhat of an inconvenience.

The I-485 interview can be waived in the following situations:

• Applications for minor children and stepchildren of a US citizen parent that are filed with supporting documents that are original or certified copies
• Applications for parents of a US citizen that are filed with supporting documents that are original or certified copies
• Applications for fiancés of a US citizen and for children of those fiancés
• Cuban natives and/or citizens applying under the November 2, 1966, Act

Interviews can be waived for the following employment-based I-485 cases:

• You are still employed by the petitioner who submitted the approved employment-based visa petition
• You were approved as an alien of extraordinary ability or alien of exceptional ability and you are otherwise qualified for a green card
• You are approved as an outstanding professor-researcher, or multinational executive/manager and you have a continuing offer of employment from the same petitioner that submitted the approved petition
• You received a national interest waiver based on performing primary medical care to a medically under-served area and you demonstrate that you intend to continue according to the terms and conditions of the approved petition

No waiver: cases where an interview is automatically scheduled

USCIS service centers will automatically schedule a district office interview in cases where legal status must be validated, identity must be validated, there is evidence of fraud, the person has a class A or B medical condition, there is doubt about the person's qualifications or admissibility, or this is the second time the I-485 application was filed.

Interviews will not be waived for cases involving entry without inspection (EWI), otherwise known as an illegal entry. If you did not provide evidence with your application showing that when you entered the US, an immigration officer inspected, paroled, or interviewed you, the case will automatically be scheduled for an I-485 interview. Interviews will not be waived for cases filed with I-485 Supplement A, or in family cases where one of the applications does not meet interviewee for criteria.

If you would like further information about obtaining a green card or any other immigration matter, please contact our immigration attorneys at The Law Firm of Shihab & Associates to schedule a consultation with an attorney at an office near you.