How to dress for a US citizenship interview
By Brian in Citizenship & Naturalization | on 2023-10-31 21:58:12
After you submit your application for citizenship and have had your biometrics taken, the next step in the naturalization process to become a citizen is being interviewed by an immigration officer. A common question we get asked at J Sparks Law about the citizenship interview from our clients in Austin is what to wear for the interview. The USCIS does not have any specific requirements on what you should wear for your citizenship interview.
However, even though your application cannot be denied because of how you dressed for your interview, it’s still a great idea to make a good impression on your interviewer. You need to show him or her that applying for citizenship and going through the process is important to you and that you are taking it seriously. One way of making that good impression is by dressing nicely and appropriately for your interview.
Why It Is Important to Dress Properly at Your Citizenship Interview
The USCIS officers who conduct these citizenship interviews are trained to avoid bias toward any applicant based on their appearance. However, it’s almost impossible for any of these officers to avoid any preconceptions on every occasion they interview someone. Human beings will naturally react when first seeing or meeting someone, and a USCIS interviewer is no exception.
You may have heard the expression first impressions matter; well, it matters during your first encounter with your USCIS interviewer, so make sure you are dressed in a manner that gives the interviewer a good impression of you. If they have a good impression already, this could impact how they process your interview responses and even give you the benefit of the doubt on close calls.
Keep in mind, however, that dressing appropriately and creating a good first impression cannot turn a poor interview into a good one. You must still come fully prepared for the interview and conduct yourself appropriately.
Tips on What You Should Wear at Your Citizenship Interview
This is not an exhaustive list of what you should have in mind when deciding what to wear to your citizenship interview, but here are a few tips that should help in making that decision:
- How you dress for important occasions in your native country may influence what you decide to wear to your interview. This is fine, but be cognizant of the fact the outfit may be too elaborate to be a distraction to the interviewer. You may want to reserve that one for your swearing-in ceremony, which will be the next event after you pass the interview and are approved for citizenship.
- Regardless of what you choose to wear, make sure it is clean and pressed if necessary. A dirty-looking or wrinkled outfit will not create a good first impression. In fact, it will have the opposite effect, and that is having the examiner create a negative impression of you at first looking at you, and that could affect their decision-making during the interview.
- A clean outfit must go hand and glove with clean and tidy shoes.
- Make sure you choose an outfit that is comfortable and presentable. A less formal but professional look is what you should be aiming at.
Contact an Austin immigration lawyer today
If you are in the Austin area and are applying for citizenship, contact J. Sparks Law, PLLC, today to schedule an appointment and learn how we can help you.
