Effective May 18, 2026
If you have an upcoming USCIS interview, there is an important policy change you and your legal representative need to know about.
Starting May 18, 2026, USCIS will no longer permit attorneys or accredited representatives to participate remotely in interviews at field offices. This also applies to affirmative asylum and Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act (NACARA) 203 interviews at asylum offices. Remote participation will only be allowed in limited circumstances.
What this means in plain terms: if you have legal representation, your attorney must be in the room with you — not joining by phone or video call.
No walk-ins allowed
It’s also worth noting that USCIS field offices do not accept walk-in visitors. You must have a scheduled appointment before going to a field office. Showing up without one means you will not be seen.
What services are available at field offices?
USCIS field offices across the U.S. and its territories handle a range of important immigration services, including:
- Interviews for non-asylum cases, such as green card applications
- Naturalization ceremonies
- In-person appointments for case-specific assistance that cannot be handled online or by phone
What should you do next?
If you have an interview coming up after May 18, 2026, contact your attorney or accredited representative right away to confirm they will be present in person. Do not assume remote participation will be an option.
For the most up-to-date information, visit the official USCIS website at uscis.gov.
Source: USCIS Field Office Alert