I-485 (green card) and N-400 (citizenship) applications require an in-person interview at a USCIS field office. Wait times vary significantly by location — from 8 months at the fastest offices to 36+ months in New York City.
Which office handles your case? Your local field office is determined by the zip code where you live, not where you filed. After service center processing, your I-485 is transferred to the field office covering your home address for the interview.
After you file, your case goes to a USCIS service center for initial review. This can take 6-18 months before the interview stage.
Once ready for interview, USCIS transfers your case to the field office covering your zip code. You'll receive a transfer notice.
The field office schedules your biometrics (fingerprints/photos) and then your interview appointment. Wait for this varies by office — see above.
A USCIS officer reviews your application, checks your documents, and asks questions. Most green card interviews take 15-30 minutes. Bring all original documents.
Most decisions are made at the interview ("approved at interview"). Some cases are continued for additional evidence or review.
Got a case transfer notice or interview appointment letter? Paste your status message for a plain-English explanation.
Decode your status message →Wait times shown are approximate ranges based on publicly available USCIS data and community reports. Individual cases vary. GreenLight is not affiliated with USCIS, DHS, or any US government agency. Nothing here is legal advice. Always verify at my.uscis.gov.