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In this episode, I’m joined by Alcorn Immigration Law associate attorney Cori Farooqi, who often accompanies our clients to their interviews at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices.
Anyone applying for a visa or green card at a U.S. embassy or consulate or anyone applying for a green card or for citizenship from within the U.S. at a USCIS office must be interviewed by a government official.
The Trump administration has halted the issuance of all green cards, H-1B, J-1, and L-1 visas at all embassies and consulates at least through the end of 2020. Embassies and consulates have closed since March to all routine visa applications due to COVID-19, and the timetable for reopening will be made by each embassy and consulate based on its situation and layout.
USCIS reopened its offices in early June, but some offices have since closed or changed hours. The most up-to-date list of closed offices is here. The office closures due to the COVID-19 crisis and the agency’s current budget woes mean interviews are severely backlogged. Currently, USCIS offices are prioritizing citizenship interviews.
It’s still possible to get visas and green cards. Reach out to the Alcorn Immigration Law team if we can help.
In this episode, you’ll hear about:
- How interviews are scheduled at a consular or USCIS office
- When you can bring an immigration attorney with you
- What to bring to the interview
- What to expect at an interview at a U.S. embassy, consulate or USCIS office
- What type of questions you’ll be asked
- How long a typical interview lasts
- The best way to prepare for an interview
- Changes due to COVID-19
- When you will find out whether your petition has been approved or denied
Resources mentioned:
Alcorn Immigration Law’s pages on green cards:
- Family-based green cards
- Employment-based green cards
- Diversity green cards
- Citizenship through naturalization
Get Alcorn’s Immigration Law for Tech Startups eBook
