Immigration Services Officer

Immigration Services Officer (ISO) Overview

ISOs are federal employees of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), responsible for reviewing and making decisions on immigration benefit applications. If you’re interested in immigration law, public service, and policy enforcement, the ISO role offers a meaningful career with job stability and advancement opportunities.

ISOs work on the front lines of the U.S. immigration system. Their primary responsibility is to adjudicate applications and petitions for various immigration benefits, such as:

• Permanent residency (green cards)
• Family-based visas
• Humanitarian relief (asylum, TPS, VAWA)

• Interviewing applicants and petitioners
• Examining documents for fraud or ineligibility
• Conducting legal research and applying immigration law
• Writing decisions and notices of action
• Referring suspicious cases to the Fraud Detection and National Security Directorate (FDNS)

ISOs must have strong attention to detail, critical thinking, and communication skills. They often work closely with supervisors, lawyers, and other federal agencies.

Immigration Services Officers are stationed across the United States, in:

• USCIS Field Offices (in-person interviews and naturalization ceremonies)
• Service Centers (processing paperwork without direct applicant interaction)
• Remote or Telework Roles (available for certain experienced ISOs)

• California Los Angeles, San Francisco, Sacramento, San Diego
• Texas Dallas, Houston, El Paso, San Antonio
• Florida Miami, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville
• New York New York City, Albany, Queens
• Illinois Chicago, Rockford
• Arizona Phoenix, Tucson
• Georgia Atlanta, Savannah
• Massachusetts Boston, Lawrence
• Washington, DC Headquarters, policy, and training divisions

To become an Immigration Services Officer, you must apply through USAJobs.gov and go through several stages, including an online assessment, structured interview, and background check.

Step-by-Step

Application Process:

• Create a USAJobs account and submit your application and resume.
• Complete an occupational questionnaire
  , which evaluates competencies.
• Participate in a structured interview if selected.
• Pass a background check and obtain security clearance.

The USA Hire Assessment is the key evaluation step for ISO applicants and is typically required within a few days of applying. It evaluates core federal competencies.

Sections and what they test:

• Situational Judgment – decision‑making in work‑related scenarios.
• Reading Comprehension – understanding and interpreting complex documents.
• Logical Reasoning – analyzing information and drawing conclusions.
• Work Style Assessment – measures traits like dependability, attention to detail.

Tips for Passing:

• Answer honestly, but align responses with a professional, mission‑oriented attitude.
• Read questions carefully—some are designed to test consistency.
• There’s no penalty for wrong answers, so answer all questions.

The assessment is untimed but typically takes 1.5–2.5 hours. You must pass this assessment to move on to the next step of the hiring process.

• Citizenship
  :
  Must be a U.S. citizen.
• Education
  :
  Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience (GS‑5/7/9 level).
• Background Check
  :
  Must pass a Public Trust security clearance.
• Experience
  :
  Relevant experience in immigration law, customer service, or adjudication helps.
• Language Skills (optional):
  Spanish, Arabic, Chinese, or other language skills are valued but not required.

Immigration Services Officers are hired under the General Schedule (GS) pay system. Most entry‑level ISOs start at GS‑5 to GS‑9 and can grow within the agency.

Approximate Salary Range (2025):

• GS‑5 $37,000 – $45,000
• GS‑7 $45,000 – $56,000
• GS‑9 $55,000 – $70,000
• GS‑11/12/13 $65,000 – $100,000+ (senior adjudicator roles)

Promotions are based on time in grade, performance, and additional training.

• Federal health, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Paid vacation, holidays, and sick leave.
• Retirement and pension under FERS.
• Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) matching.
• Public Service Loan…