What documentation and interview questions should I expect when returning to the US on a green card?
Executive summary
Expect routine identity and status checks when returning to the U.S. as a lawful permanent resident: carry your unexpired Green Card (Form I‑551) and valid passport; if your card is expired or lost, bring the receipt for renewal or a reentry permit where applicable [1]. At a green card adjustment interview, USCIS will verify application details, review changes since filing, and ask direct questions about your background or relationship (for marriage cases) — interviews typically last ~20–25 minutes and focus on confirming submitted forms [2] [3].
1. What documents CBP and USCIS expect at the border — bring the basics
When returning by air or land, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will expect a valid, unexpired Green Card (Form I‑551) and a passport from your country of citizenship; an expired card plus an I‑797 receipt for renewal can help but does not guarantee entry [1]. Attorneys and guides warn that long or frequent absences, failure to file U.S. taxes, or missing reentry documentation can prompt questioning of whether you intend to maintain permanent residence; a reentry permit strengthens your case for prolonged travel [1]. Available sources do not mention other specific CBP forms beyond these basics.
2. If you have a pending I‑485 or upcoming USCIS interview — what they’ll check
If you filed Form I‑485 to adjust status, expect an in‑person interview at a local USCIS field office where the officer will review your I‑485 and related forms, verify you understood the application questions, and give you a chance to correct or update answers [2] [3]. Interviews are usually short — about 20–25 minutes — and focus on recent life changes (address, job, children) and clarifying anything incomplete on your application [2] [3]. Sources emphasize honesty and preparedness rather than memorized scripts [2].
3. Typical document checklist for an adjustment interview
Practical guides list the core items USCIS commonly requests: your passport, Green Card (if you already hold one), government IDs, copies of the I‑485 and supporting evidence you filed, and documents showing changes since filing (new address, employment, births) [2] [1]. For marriage‑based applicants, bring proof the relationship is bona fide — joint leases, bank accounts, photos, and shared bills — because officers probe daily routines, finances and living arrangements [2]. Specific checklists vary by case type; available sources do not provide a universally exhaustive list beyond these items [2].
4. The questions you should expect — factual, targeted, short
Officers ask straightforward questions tied to your application and eligibility. For marriage cases, expect personal questions about dates, routines and shared history to confirm bona fides; employment‑based interviews focus on qualifications, job offer and employer details [2] [4]. Broad lists of sample questions circulate from law firms and immigration blogs, but sources stress that most questions derive directly from what you submitted [2] [4]. Multiple sources recommend practicing with a friend or family member to build confidence [5].
5. Where policy changes could affect where and how you’re interviewed
Recent policy updates tightened consular interview locations: from Nov. 1, 2025, immigrant visa applicants must interview in their country of residence or nationality unless an exception applies, which affects those abroad seeking immigrant visas rather than returning residents [5] [6]. This State Department shift can delay processing or require travel to a designated consulate; sources recommend checking current rules for your consulate [6]. Available sources do not discuss how CBP local practices at ports of entry may vary by officer.
6. Risks, pitfalls and alternative views
Immigration practitioners caution that an expired Green Card, long absences, or failure to maintain U.S. tax filings can raise red flags and increase questioning at reentry [1]. Some blogs and firms encourage carrying extra corroborating documents (tax returns, reentry permits), while USCIS policy guidance frames the interview as an opportunity to resolve inconsistencies — not primarily as a trap [3] [2]. Readers should weigh advice from private immigration sites (which may sell services) against official USCIS policy pages [3] [2].
Limitations: This summary draws on practice guides, firm blogs and USCIS policy excerpts in the provided search results; it does not replace tailored legal advice and available sources do not provide an exhaustive document list or port‑by‑port CBP procedures.