What to Expect at Your Green Card Interview
Most green card applicants inside the US must attend an in-person interview at the USCIS field office. The interview is your opportunity to confirm your application, answer the officer's questions, and demonstrate that you qualify for permanent residence. Being prepared is essential.
Reviewed by Gracie Johnson, Certified Specialist in Immigration and Nationality Law, State Bar of California, California State Bar #276536
Last reviewed: July 2, 2026
Your interview will be at the USCIS Los Angeles Field Office or a nearby satellite office. You will be called to a private room with a USCIS officer who will review your application, verify your identity documents, and ask you questions under oath. In marriage-based cases, the officer is evaluating whether your marriage is genuine (not entered into solely for immigration benefits) and whether you meet all other requirements.
Typical questions at a marriage-based green card interview include: How did you meet your spouse? Describe your wedding. Where do you live together? What are your spouse's work hours? Do you have joint bank accounts or leases? Officers may also ask detailed questions about your day-to-day life that a genuinely married couple would easily know about each other.
Bring original documents: marriage certificate, joint financial documents (bank accounts, tax returns, lease or mortgage), photos together, correspondence history, and any other evidence of your shared life. Also bring your medical exam (Form I-693) if you have not already submitted it.
Do not memorize scripted answers. Speak truthfully and naturally. If you do not understand a question, ask the officer to repeat it. If you don't know an answer, it is better to say 'I don't know' than to guess. Having an attorney prepare you before the interview can reduce anxiety and help you present your case clearly. Call (310) 554-4630.
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Also available in Spanish: Qué Esperar en Su Entrevista de Tarjeta Verde