What is a Notice of Potential Interview Waiver Case? Does that mean I don’t get to be interviewed for AOS?

It is a notice sent by USCIS’ National Benefits Center (NBC) to Adjustment of Status Applicants that have a potential to have their interviews with Immigration Officers at the field office waived. No, it’s not automatic that your interview is waived. From the name itself, “Potential”, means it’s a possibility. It means that you MAY or MAY NOT get a waiver. It’s a case by case basis and is possibly determined by the amount of evidences you submit to USCIS for your AOS Packet.

Below you will find a direct quote from one of USCIS’s public files. I found it just by searching online:

USCIS policy regarding the criteria for interview waiver cases has not changed.
NBC’s determination to waive the interview for certain cases is based on standards set at the
national level. The standards include adjustment categories in which there is normally enough
evidence included with the case to make a final determination without an interview. NBC takes
into account these standards, as well as the specific situation of each applicant, on a case by case
basis, to determine whether the interview may be waived.

NBC identifies cases that may be eligible for an interview waiver, in part, by means of an
electronic sweep of the case information obtained from the I-485 and/or I-130, if present. The
following adjustment categories are considered possible interview waiver cases:

• Unmarried minor children and stepchildren of US Citizens (IR7 and CR7)
• Parent of US Citizen (IR0)
• K1/K2 entrant— Fiancé(e) of US Citizen and children of Fiancé(e) (CF1/CF2)
• Native/Citizen of Cuba filing under 11/2/66 Act (also spouses/children) (CU6/CU7)
• Unmarried & Under 14 year old child of Lawful Permanent Resident (F27)

Though an applicant may qualify for interview waiver based on one of these criteria, there are
instances when the application will not be transferred to the Service Center for processing
without an interview.

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Questions and Answers
USCIS National Benefits Center – Florida Bar Teleconference
April 24, 2012

The above teleconference also mentioned where you can find these guidelines on the Adjudicator’s Field Manual  (AFM):

USCIS guidance regarding interview waiver cases may be found in the Adjudicator’s Field
Manual (AFM), Chapter 23.2, General Adjustment of Status Issues, subsection (h) Interview
Waivers.

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Questions and Answers
USCIS National Benefits Center – Florida Bar Teleconference
April 24, 2012

Also, you might want to read the following articles and blog posts I’ve written. I had an Interview Waiver and my AOS was approved without an Interview:

• Adjustment of Status (AOS from K1 Visa) Checklist
• Sooooo… I got this “Notice of Potential Interview Waiver Case” in the mail today.
• I FINALLY got my Green Card! I-485 Adjustment of Status (AOS) Approved!

Sources:

• USCIS.gov – Questions and Answers: USCIS National Benefits Center – Florida Bar Teleconference (April 24, 2012)
• USCIS.gov – Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM), Chapter 23.2, General Adjustment of Status Issues, subsection (h) Interview Waivers