Can USCIS approve I-130 without interview?
Asked by: Prof. Verlie Jast II | Last update: February 16, 2026Score: 4.6/5 (28 votes)
Yes, your Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) can be approved without an interview if USCIS finds the submitted evidence is clear, convincing, and sufficient to establish the qualifying relationship, especially in straightforward cases, or if it's a category often waived like for U.S. citizen parents, though it's less common in marriage cases where an interview for the I-485 often follows. An I-130 approval confirms the family bond but isn't the final immigration benefit; it's a step towards the beneficiary applying for a Green Card, often via an I-485 (Adjustment of Status).
Can I-130 be approved without an interview?
Yes, it is possible to be approved for an I-130 without an interview. Many I-130 petitions are approved with an interview waiver. However, whether or not an interview is required is ultimately up to the USCIS officer reviewing the petition.
Are interviews required for I-130?
The interview enables USCIS to verify important information about the applicant to determine eligibility for adjustment. For family-based applications, USCIS generally requires the Form I-130 petitioner to appear for the interview with the principal adjustment of status applicant.
Is USCIS still waiving interviews in 2025?
Yes, USCIS still waives interviews in 2025 for certain green card (Adjustment of Status) cases, particularly straightforward family-based applications like parents of U.S. citizens or certain children, aiming to expedite approvals, but in-person interviews are now the standard for most other cases, with exceptions for renewals or specific low-risk categories, while the State Department tightened nonimmigrant (temporary visa) interview waivers significantly in late 2025, requiring most applicants to interview in-person.
What is strong evidence for I-130?
Strong evidence for an I-130 petition proves the claimed family relationship, especially for spouses, by showing a bona fide (genuine) marriage through joint financial records, shared residences (leases, bills, IDs), co-mingled assets, and a history of shared life, supported by dated photos and affidavits from friends/family; for parents/children, it's birth/adoption certificates, while all require petitioner's proof of status (birth cert, passport, Green Card).
I-130 Approved but I-485 Still Pending? Here's What You Should Know
How long after I-130 approval to interview?
After I-130 approval, the timeline to interview varies greatly, but generally involves 1-2 months for transfer to the National Visa Center (NVC), several months for NVC processing (fees, documents), and then waiting for an interview slot at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, which can range from weeks to over a year, depending on visa availability, location, and consulate workload. Immediate relatives (spouses, minor children, parents of U.S. citizens) often have faster processing, while family preference categories (F1, F2, etc.) must wait for a visa number to become available via the Visa Bulletin.
What is the denial rate for I-130?
Recent statistics indicate that the denial rate for marriage green cards hovers around 10-20%. In FY 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processed more Form I-130 and Form I-485 applications. Both forms are essential steps in the family-based green card application process.
Is USCIS moving faster in 2025?
In 2025, USCIS processing times are mixed, with some forms like Naturalization (N-400) seeing faster processing, while others, particularly Adjustment of Status (I-485) for green cards, are experiencing significant backlogs and longer waits, though receipt notices for new forms are faster, and premium processing remains an option for some employment-based cases. Overall, it's a dynamic period with improvements in some areas but continued challenges, especially for complex family-based and adjustment cases.
What is the hardest question in the interview?
The seven most difficult interview questions
- Where do you see yourself in five years? ...
- What are your weaknesses? ...
- Tell me about yourself. ...
- Why are you the best person for the job? ...
- Why do you want the job? ...
- Why are you looking for a new job? ...
- What is your salary expectation?
Who qualifies for an interview waiver?
To be eligible for an interview waiver, applicants must also meet certain criteria, including that he or she: apply in his or her country of nationality or usual residence (except diplomatic and certain official visa applicants); have never been refused a visa (unless such refusal was overcome or waived); and.
How much notice does USCIS give before an interview?
USCIS attempts to provide at least two weeks of notice before an interview. We have seen interview notices sent more than a month in advance of the date, but we have also received less than two weeks notice. Creating a free USCIS online account can help ensure that you have the maximum notice possible in your case.
What next after Form I-130 is approved?
After an I-130 is approved, the next step depends on if your relative is in the U.S. or abroad: if in the U.S., they might file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status); if abroad, the case goes to the National Visa Center (NVC) for fee payments, document submission (including Affidavit of Support), and scheduling a consular interview for an immigrant visa to enter the U.S. as a permanent resident.
What are the 10 main interview questions?
The top 10 interview questions consistently include "Tell me about yourself," "What are your strengths/weaknesses?", "Why do you want this job?", "Why should we hire you?", and behavioral questions like, "Tell me about a time you faced a challenge" or "handled conflict," plus the essential "Do you have any questions for us?". These questions assess your skills, self-awareness, motivation, problem-solving, and fit for the company culture.
How do I know if my USCIS interview is waived?
Signs That Your Interview Has Been Waived
Some have reported calling USCIS to check for an update only to learn that their interview was waived. Some have reported that they received an email from USCIS informing them that interview was waived.
How long does I-130 take to get approved in 2025?
I-130 processing times for 2025 vary significantly but generally range from around 14-17 months for immediate relatives (spouse, minor children, parents of U.S. Citizens) to over 30 months (2.5+ years) for some preference categories and longer for non-immediate relatives, with the actual time depending heavily on the petitioner's status (Citizen vs. LPR), the specific relationship, the service center, and visa availability. U.S. citizens filing for spouses often see times around 14.5-17 months, while green card holders filing for spouses/children (F2A) can expect ~35 months, and non-immediate relatives face potential multi-year waits due to visa backlogs.
Which visa does not require an interview?
About Visa Interviews
Embassies and consulates generally do not require an interview for those applying for G-1 - 4 and NATO-1 - 6 visas, although a consular officer can request an interview.
What is the biggest red flag to hear when being interviewed?
The biggest red flags in an interview involve toxic culture indicators like an interviewer badmouthing former employees, being rude or disrespectful (distracted, interrupting, condescending), or showing a lack of transparency about the role or company, often signaled by vague answers, high turnover, or pressure to accept quickly; these suggest a poor environment where you won't be valued or supported.
What is the killer question in an interview?
killer question examples for interviews.
Common killer questions include: Tell me of a time when you worked with a difficult co-worker. Describe a situation in which you didn't meet a client's expectations. Tell me about something that you are currently learning about?
What are the top 3 questions to ask an interviewer?
The top 3 questions to ask an interviewer focus on role success, team dynamics, and company future, such as: "What does success look like in this role in the first 6-12 months?", "What are the biggest challenges the team faces, and how can I help overcome them?", and "What are the company's/department's main goals, and how does this role contribute?", showing genuine interest, strategic thinking, and cultural fit beyond just the job description.
Can I-130 be approved in 3 months?
It's highly unlikely an I-130 petition gets approved in just 3 months, as current typical processing times for immediate relatives (spouse, parent, unmarried child under 21) of U.S. citizens average around 14-18 months, and even longer for other family preference categories, though some very fast or concurrent filings (I-130 & I-485) can be quicker. While some lucky cases or specific circumstances might see approvals in a few months (like under 4 months), it's very rare, with most seeing waits of a year or more.
Can a lawyer speed up the immigration process?
While an immigration lawyer can help you prepare and file your application, they cannot directly influence the processing time of your petition. This means they cannot: Eliminate the backlogs in processing due to high volume or limited resources. Bypass the necessary government procedures required to process a claim.
Is green card 2026 open?
DV-2026 visa availability is for selected lottery winners through September 30, 2026, with results available since May 2025 on the official U.S. Department of State portal, where applicants check their status using a confirmation number, as no direct notifications are sent, and numbers can run out before the fiscal year ends. The total number of available visas for the DV-2026 program is reduced to around 52,000 due to other programs, with allocations divided by region.
Can USCIS deny I-130 without interview?
The petitioner and beneficiary often need to attend an interview as part of the I-130 adjudication process. Missing the interview without proper notice or failing to provide requested documents can result in the petition being rejected.
What is strong evidence for I-130?
Strong evidence for an I-130 petition proves the claimed family relationship, especially for spouses, by showing a bona fide (genuine) marriage through joint financial records, shared residences (leases, bills, IDs), co-mingled assets, and a history of shared life, supported by dated photos and affidavits from friends/family; for parents/children, it's birth/adoption certificates, while all require petitioner's proof of status (birth cert, passport, Green Card).
Which visa has the highest rejection rate?
Schengen visa rejection rates vary significantly between the countries with the highest rejection rates and the global average. In 2023, the top 10 countries globally faced a 48.5% rejection rate, despite accounting for only 2.7% of all applications.