If you are 14 or older, USCIS will send you a notice for an appointment to give fingerprints take photographs (which we call biometrics) at an Application Support Center (also referred to as the ASC)
You must bring a state-issued photo ID, or a passport issued by your country of birth to the appointment
If you also file a Form I 765, we will send you an appointment notice for that form
Remember to bring BOTH notices to the ASC. Bringing only one can delay processing of your green card or your work permit
If you cannot make the appointment, follow the instructions on the appointment notice to ask for a new date and time
IMPORTANT!
If you
Then
Cannot make your appointment
Follow the instructions on the appointment notice to ask for a new date and time
Do not come to your interview, and do not ask AS SOON AS POSSIBLE for a new appointment
Your I-485 might be denied!
Interview Scheduling & Interview Waivers
Scheduling the Interview
As a rule, we interview all SIJ petitioners. If you think you should not be interviewed, please see “Waiving the Interview”, below.
We will interview you in order to make a decision on the Form I-360 and the Form I-485 you file.
We will send you a notice for an interview at your local USCIS field office.
You will have your interview within 180 days of your official filing date.
If you file both forms in the same envelope, we will interview you only once.
Follow the instructions on the appointment notice to ask for a new date and time.
Waiving the Interview
We may waive the interview for special reasons, such as:
An approval after your 18th birthday will mean you would lose a place to live;
You cannot get critical medical care until you get a green card; or
You will lose a scholarship if you do not get your green card in less than 180 days; or
Coming to the USCIS interview would be so extremely difficult that it would be a hardship to you;
OR
Other reasons that you may need an expedited decision.
If you are under 14, we will consider your age when we decide whether or not to waive your interview.
The more complete your petition is, the more likely we are to be able to decide to waive the interview.
At the Interview
At the Interview:
You can bring your attorney or representative with you.
Your attorney or representative must bring a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative (if it was not already sent with your petition).
We will interview you to:
Confirm the information in your I-360 and I-485,
Answer questions about your criminal history, if any (such as citations, arrests, or convictions),
Explain any other part of your petition that is not clear to us.
If you do not speak English well, you must bring a translator with you.
You must bring a state-issued photo ID, or a passport issued by your country of citizenship.
Anyone you want to come into the interview with you must also have a state-issued photo ID, a U.S. government-issued ID, or a passport issued by their country of citizenship.
IMPORTANT!
If you
Then
Cannot make the appointment
Follow the instructions on the appointment notice to ask for a new date and time
Do not come to your interview, and do not ask AS SOON AS POSSIBLE for a new appointment
Your I-360 or I-485 might be denied!
The Decision
USCIS will make a decision on your I-360 within 180 days from your official filing date. The 180 days begins on the receipt date on your I-797C, Notice of Action.
The 180 days does NOT include the days:
Between the day you miss an appointment and the day of your new appointment;
Between the day we send you a request for evidence (or for a Form I 601) and the date we get the evidence or form.
If a field office interviews you, USCIS will make the decision at the interview, unless:
USCIS has to wait for a clearance, or
You need to submit additional evidence, or
You need to file a Form I 601.
I-360
If USCIS approves your Form I-360 without a Form I 485, USCIS will send you a Form I-797, Approval Notice.
If USCIS denies your Form I-360, USCIS will send you a written decision telling you why we denied it.
USCIS will also tell you how you can appeal the denial.
I-485
If USCIS approves your I-360 petition and I-485 application, USCIS will send you an approval notice, or put a temporary green card stamp in your passport
USCIS will mail you your green card (also called a Permanent Resident Card) in approximately 90 days
If USCIS denies your I-485 application, USCIS will send you a written decision telling you why we denied it
USCIS will also tell you how you can ask USCIS to reconsider the decision.