Can Marriage-Based Green Card Applicants Waive the USCIS Interview?

Published: May 7, 2025

Are you an intending immigrant spouse of a US citizen? The interview is the final step when applying for a green card through marriage. Due to its importance in identifying a bona fide marriage, many applicants often find this stage of the application process stressful and intimidating. 

Suppose you’re seeking a marriage-based green card within the US. An officer from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) asks detailed questions during the in-person interview to assess the authenticity of the marital relationship. 

Unless USCIS grants a waiver, all applicants for a marriage-based green card must attend an interview with an officer. The decision to waive the interview is at the discretion of USCIS, depending on the specifics of each application. Learn the factors considered when determining whether to forgo the interview requirement and how to boost your chances of getting a waiver. 

Factors That Can Influence USCIS’s Decision to Waive an Interview

USCIS can forgo certain interviews for marriage-based green card applicants undergoing the adjustment of status process. Yet, it’s up to the USCIS to determine whether to implement this practice depending on the prevailing circumstances of the green card applicant. 

Waiving an interview is typically reserved for applications that don’t require further clarification. Below are some factors a USCIS officer considers in an applicant’s record when deciding whether a green card application warrants a waiver. 

• The submitted documentation demonstrates the marriage’s bona fide nature.
• All background checks come back without immigration violations, criminal convictions, or national security issues.
• The application is complete and contains no discrepancies or complex facts that require further examination. 
• The applicant has been interviewed or reviewed extensively in previous immigration cases. 

Tips to Boost Your Chances of Getting an Interview Waiver

There’s no definitive way to guarantee an interview waiver. The trend of USCIS granting an interview waiver is not an official policy. Instead, it’s discretionary and primarily depends on evidence documented in your record. 

Moreover, increased scrutiny in marriage-based green card applications may require interviews in most situations. Still, consider the following tips to boost your chances of having the USCIS waive the interview requirement in your case. 

• Provide comprehensive proof of a genuine marital relationship, such as documentation of joint finances, shared residence, and photos of you together throughout the relationship. 
• Maintain a clean immigration history with no criminal background and visa violations. 
• Provide a complete and prompt response to USCIS’s request for evidence.
• Support an interview waiver request for your green card application with prior vetting. 

Notably, current USCIS standards impose stricter requirements for interview waivers. Even in seemingly uncomplicated family-based adjustment of status applications, USCIS field officers are more frequently demanding interviews. 

With the shift in trends, take proactive steps to set realistic expectations with a reliable attorney specializing in family-based immigration cases. Proper legal assistance can help you prepare to respond to personal inquiries promptly and consistently. 

Acquire Legal Guidance on Your Green Card Application

USCIS examines various factors to determine whether to waive your green card interview. A qualified Los Angeles lawyer can help strengthen your marriage-based green card application with accurate and comprehensive evidence. But it’s worth noting that USCIS still retains the right to require an interview even with well-documented immigration cases. 

Hence, it’s only reasonable to anticipate attending an in-person interview. Our legal team at ALG Lawyers is ready to assist you in crafting your green card application and for the possibility of an in-person interview. Start with an initial consultation to see how we can further guide you.