One client shared his experience from EB2 NIW process (thank you!) which might be valuable for you as well. As you might know, interview with USCIS officer is required now even for employment-based green cards.
Our client applied with his wife as a dependent applicant. Besides using our DIY kit he also had a lawyer. Detailed and helpful points from his lawyer how they both should prepare for the interview follow.
Lawyer’s Notes How to Prepare
It is normal for you each to get your own time slot (it makes sense as it takes longer to interview two people). They will likely call you in together. You should be there at least a half an hour before the earlier appointment (maybe even a little more as I am guessing that the *** USCIS office is probably pretty big and everyone will have to go through security to get in so there might be a line).
They are not supposed to re-adjudicate your NIW petition, but they are allowed to probe a little bit to make sure there was no fraud or error in that decision. They should also have your complete file in front of them. So no need to bring an extra copy of the whole thing to give them again. I would bring some key originals just to have in your bag in case they ask to see them: diploma, certified transcript, and equivalency certificate (and anything else from the NIW packet where you have an original but sent in a copy). Then I would also bring some updated documents just in case they want to confirm you are still working in the field (bring originals plus an extra copy to give them in case they want a copy for the file): recent check stubs and maybe a letter confirming continued employment.
I would also suggest making a packet of copies of documents to show that your marriage is bona fide (and not just so that [wife] can get a green card too) again just in case they ask: joint tax returns if you have them, lease agreement if it is in both names, joint bank statements, joint credit cards, joint insurance documents, car registration if in both names, mail and utility bills addressed to each of you showing the same address, and a selection of photos from your wedding and travels together. I would make a little packet of copies of these things (2 hole punched at the top) to hand them if they ask if you have any documentation about the marriage. They might not ask in this context, but it is better to be over-prepared than under-prepared.
You should also have all of any passports, work permits, advance parole documents, approval notices, etc ready to give them. They will probably ask for this at the beginning of the interview and look through them. They are making sure that neither of you have ever been out of status. You might also want to go to this site and print out your travel history and I-94 documents.
You should also have your original social security cards and [state] drivers licenses ready to give them at the beginning. Also bring original and an extra copy of your marriage certificate and originals and an extra copy of both of your birth certificates.
The general procedure is that you will line up outside to go through security and then go in and go to the “adjustment of status” or “AOS” section and give your appointment notices to the receptionist and then you wait to be called (in [Big City] they have the waiting room divided into lettered sections and the receptionist tells you which to wait in so that you can hear your name being called).
They will call your name(s) and you follow the officer into the interview room (I predict you will be called in together and even if they just call the first one, you should both go to the door to remind them that you are together but don’t insist on being seen together just ask if they would like you both to come in).
When you get into the room, they will ask you both to remain standing and raise your right hand and swear to tell the truth. Then you can sit down and they will ask for identity documents: drivers license, social security cards, passports, work permits, and original birth and marriage certificates. You might want to have these all ready to put on the desk in front of you.
Then the officer might ask a few questions about the underlying NIW petition. Then most likely the officer will look through your documents and then will start going over the I-485 forms for each of you and will take notes on the forms as they go.
Then at the end of reviewing the forms, they will point out any notes or corrections they have made and then will ask you to sign the form again at the bottom.
At some point, they may ask for documentation regarding the marriage and may ask a few questions about how you met and when you started living together.
The general advice is to be very respectful and polite and just answer what they ask you. Give a complete answer, but not with too much information or chattiness. You want them in a good mood and they have a very tight schedule. I do not anticipate any problems for you guys.
At the end of the interview, sometimes they will say that it all looks fine or even that they will approve the case and other officers will just say you will hear from them by mail.
If there is anything more that they want, they will give you a notice stating what it is and then you will mail it in with that notice on top of the document(s).
An organized officer will finish the online checks and visa number request by the end of the day and your online status will be updated that evening or the next day. Other officers take anywhere from a few days to a month to do the final approval.
USCIS Request for Interview
The official request for applicant to appear for initial interview from USCIS might look like this:
Experience from Actual Interview
Here is a final comment from my client after his interview:
The interview for our NIW was a very straightforward experience. We were scheduled interviews separately, but called in together. The interview almost entirely focused on the AOS application. The only questions not related to that were “Where do you work?” and “What do you do there?”. Despite clearly having the entire NIW file on her desk the interviewer did not look at it at all in our case.
The interviewer went over our personal details and checked our copies of previous immigration documents to see if we had ever been out of status. They then asked some questions about our marriage (when did we meet, when did we get married etc). They also went over the yes/no questions on the I-485 (the ones about past criminal convictions, military service etc.) and that was it. We had an hour and a half scheduled for our interviews and were out in 30 minutes.
Sounds pretty easy but better be prepared for everything. I hope it can help you to prepare for your own green card interview. If you have anything valuable to share with EB2 NIW community please comment below or let me know directly! I am happy to add another valuable points to this blog post. Thank you!
Hi do you have a EB-2 NIW kit for civil Engineer or project manager?
Hi Johnny, we have only one case (my husband’s = physicist).
Hi there,
I graduated from University of Oxford with a PhD in biology.
I would like to apply for EB2-NIW. Do I need degree evaluation or an Oxford official certificate would do?
thanks for your help.
Daisy
Hi Daisy,
general rule is that foreign degrees should be evaluated.
Veronika
Hi Veronika,
Do you only need an evaluation of the (non-US) Doctor’s degree or of your entire educational background?
Best,
Wendy
Hi Wendy,
we did those non-US degrees mentioned in our petition (PhD and MSc).
Disclaimer: Please note this is NOT a legal advice, always make your own decision based on your specific situation or consult an attorney.
Veronika
Hi!
I tried to pay with credit card and PayPal but I can’t. Please I need other kind of payment. I’m trying from Brazil.
Hi Ribamar,
I am sorry that payment didn’t go through. Sometimes system might be temporarily out.
Could you please try again, potentially use different cards? I currently do not have any other payment system in place.
Thank you for your patience!
I tried three different cards. I will try again tomorrow.
Thanks!
I am really sorry for the trouble. I hope it will work next day.
Hi, Veronika
We are planning to apply for my wife as professional kindergarten teacher (instructor). Do you have any case for that field?
Thank you
Hi Nodirjon,
Unfortunately, I don’t have case for this field. Our DIY kit shows my husband’s case – scientist.
Veronika
Thank you for answer
Hi, Veronika
I am planning to apply as a professional engineer (electrical engineer). Do you have any case for that field?
Thank you
Hi Mike,
the case shown in our DIY kit is my husband’s (scientist – experimental physicist). This was filed under EB2 NIW category. I write another blog about EB1A category (also self-petition) and there I have another real case based on applicant’s expertise in the scientific field of electrical engineering and material science for electronic devices. EB1A category has a little different requirements, please check it out here.
Please let me know in case of any other questions.
Veronika
Hi,
1. I have. An NIW approved as a “Scientist” in “Oncology” Genetic Analysis and Biomarker research, working for a very big corporate Pharma, Now I gained more skills, coursework which took me up in to my current position is “Senior Programmer” “Cardiovascular” Data Analysis, Genetic and Biomarker Research. For the I485 case if my PD becomes current, I am taking Support of same attorney who filed initially for the Approved NIW, The attorney thinks I have a chance of getting approved I485 even though it’s Cardiovascular and not Oncology and Senior Programmer and not Scientist as it doesn’t matter about the position but the Individual and the scope of work in Interest of Nation. Do u think I could face some issues during the interview if I get called for?
2. Since NIW-EB2 is self based, If you apply for I485 and get my GC, do u simply notify your Employer who filed H1B.
Thanks,
KBC.
Hi Chakri,
1) I am not a lawyer so I am not allowed to provide such specific advice regarding your case. I am sorry. 2) in our case we told my husband’s employer about approved green card (he was also on H1B previously), I think that was it.
Veronika
Thanks Veronica for the details
Can I buy the NIW kit if I am outside the USA?
Hi Alejandra,
yes you can!
Let me know in case of any problems.
Veronika
Good day VEronica,
Do you have testimonials/resources related to US CPA (Accountant/auditor).
Thanks in advance.
Hi Kaisher, unfortunately I don’t, I am sorry.
Veronika
Hi! My case was approved. I am in USA . What’s next steps? adjust? After adjust, have interview? tHE GREENCARD WILL BE SENT AFTER INTERVIEW ONLY?
Hi Ricardo,
congrats!!!
I am not familiar with your situation. Disclaimer: this is not legal advice, I am not a lawyer.
Typically, next phase for people already in the USA is I-485 petition. During this phase USCIS send you an invitation for interview and biometrics. Once this is done and approved, green card will be sent to you.
Good luck!
Veronika
Kindly tell me it is necessary to give interview answers in english?If I do not speak fluently or fumble then can we give answers in urdu?
English as far as I know
is the EB2-NIW interview will be in the local language or English only?
English, as far as I know
Hi do you have a EB-2 NIW kit for a recruiter/ HR professional?
Unfortunately no, I am sorry…
Hi, when the EB2 NIW process is pending ( I 140 and I 485) can I enter the US by B2 tourist visa ?
First of all (citing USCIS website):
Generally, if you have a pending Form I-485 and you leave the United States without an advance parole document, you will have abandoned your application.
Second: Ask yourself if you rather want to be a permanent resident (green card holder) or B2 tourist
Disclaimer: This is not a legal advice.
Veronika