USCIS to Require In-Person Interviews for Employment-Based Adjustment Applicants
August 28, 2017

Country / Territory
Beginning October 1, 2017, USCIS plans to require applicants for employment-based adjustment of status to attend a personal interview before their green card case can be processed to completion. The requirement is to be phased in, but USCIS has not yet explained how it will do so.
The interview requirement is part of the agency’s compliance with President Trump’s March 6 executive order on protection of the United States from terrorist activities. That order – which imposed the travel ban against refugees and nationals of six restricted countries – also directed federal agencies to implement uniform screening and vetting standards for all immigration programs.
Interviews for employment-based adjustment applicants are not new, but USCIS has had a longstanding policy of waiving them for most, recognizing that employer-sponsored green card applicants posed few security risks.
Certain family members of refugees and asylees will also be obligated to attend an interview if they are in the United States and are applying to join the principal asylee or refugee applicant. The agency plans to require interviews for other immigration benefits applications in the future, but did not specify which case types would be affected.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
The agency’s brief announcement leaves many questions unanswered about the new policy, but it is likely to increase the processing times of employment-based applications for adjustment of status.
Fragomen is closely following implementation of the interview requirement and will issue updates as new information is released.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
Country / Territory
Explore more at Fragomen

Blog post
Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Media mentions
Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Blog post
Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Media mentions
Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Awards
Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.

Blog post
Business Immigration Consultant Ryaihanny Sahrom discusses Timor-Leste's ASEAN debut and its impact on regional mobility.

Blog post
Destination Services Manager Ali Sikandar provides essential information for expats navigating the Saudi real estate market.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping the Middle East and Africa in 2025, drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July.

Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia covers everything you need to know about French citizenship by decree, a legal process through which a foreign national can acquire French nationality.

Blog post
This blog provides an overview of the key factors to consider when deciding in which jurisdiction to set up a company in the UAE.

Media mentions
Manager Alexander Hood explains how the UK’s Global Talent visa helps tech founders start and grow businesses without employer sponsorship.

Blog post
Partner Siobhan Owers and Senior Associate Asif Hanif discuss the latest UK immigration announcements and their impact on the future of care work.

Media mentions
Senior Business Immigration Analyst Rabaa Biry recently shared her journey to Canada and how support and perseverance helped shape her path forward.

Media mentions
Partner Abeer Al Husseini highlights how Saudi Arabia’s growing film industry is creating jobs, attracting global talent and supporting economic diversification.

Awards
Partner Cindy Jen is recognized as a 2025 “Woman of Influence” by the Silicon Valley Business Journal.

Blog post
This blog highlights the most significant immigration developments shaping Canada and Latin America in 2025. Drawing from Fragomen’s upcoming 2025 Regional Immigration Overviews—available mid-July—it provides actionable insights and strategic guidance to help businesses and individuals navigate the region’s dynamic immigration landscape.