What to Expect in an Immigration Psychological Evaluation
Four stages, from interview through the completed report.
How does the four-stage evaluation process work?
An immigration psychological evaluation combines a clinical interview, relevant records, and standardized assessments. The report documents the clinical findings supported by that evidence. You can begin through an attorney referral or contact us directly if you are representing yourself. Kipu Terra provides evaluations nationwide by secure Google Meet.
After intake, the process has four stages: clinical interview, standardized assessment, clinical review, and a co-signed report. The standard turnaround is 5-7 days. We confirm the schedule and report recipient with you before engagement.
Stage 1
Interview
We coordinate scheduling with you through email, text, or a brief conversation. You or your authorized legal representative provide the relevant records securely, and we plan the interview around the case type and the person being evaluated. Interviews take place by secure, HIPAA-compliant Google Meet. Clinicians work directly in English and Spanish; professional neutral interpreters support French, Haitian Creole, Mandarin Chinese, and Portuguese.
Stage 2
Assessment
The evaluator selects the assessment instruments while planning each interview and evaluation, considering the case type and the person’s age, language, history, and individual needs. Examples include the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5 with the LEC-5, and WHODAS 2.0. The combination varies by case and may be adjusted as further information becomes available. Results are interpreted alongside the interview and relevant records to inform the clinical findings.
Stage 3
Clinical review
The evaluator drafts the 15 to 25 page forensic psychological report, including DSM-5-TR diagnostic impressions supported by the interview and assessment results. The independently licensed Clinical Lead reviews the clinical analysis and conclusions, then co-signs the report before release. Every report receives this second clinical review.
Stage 4
Completed evaluation report
We deliver the completed, co-signed report to your authorized attorney or immigration office. If you are representing yourself, we send the signed PDF to you by secure email once the balance is paid. Delivery is not filing. You or your legal representative handle submission and deadlines. You pay Kipu Terra directly for the evaluation.
What questions do they ask in an immigration psychological evaluation?
The questions depend on the case type and the person being evaluated. We ask about personal and family history, health, daily life, and the experiences relevant to the evaluation. The interview follows a structured guide with follow-up questions tailored to your circumstances. The clinical focus differs by case:
I-601A and I-601 hardship waivers
We interview the qualifying relative about family relationships, health, caregiving, finances, and daily functioning. The evaluation documents the clinical effects that separation or relocation could have on that relative.
I-612 / J-1 exceptional hardship
We evaluate the qualifying U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or child. The interview documents health, caregiving, daily functioning, and the clinical effects of separation or relocation for the J-1 exceptional-hardship evaluation. Counsel determines eligibility and filing strategy.
VAWA (I-360)
We interview the person who experienced the abuse about the relationship, patterns of abuse or control, and the psychological effects. The evaluation concerns that person’s experience and functioning. We do not contact the person identified as the abuser.
U visa (I-918)
We interview the person affected by the crime about what happened, the symptoms they experienced afterward, and changes in health and daily functioning. The evaluation documents the psychological effects of the reported crime alongside the relevant records.
T visa (I-914)
We interview the person who experienced trafficking about coercion, exploitation, psychological effects, and current functioning. Where relevant to the case, the evaluation also documents clinical concerns about the harm that removal could cause. The interview is adapted to the person’s history and needs.
Cancellation of removal (EOIR-42B)
We evaluate the qualifying child, spouse, or parent and document health, support needs, and the effects of possible separation or relocation. The clinical evidence relates to the exceptional and extremely unusual hardship standard. Interviews and assessments are adapted to the person’s age.
I-212 permission to reapply
Our evaluation focuses on the family member affected by continued separation. We ask about health, emotional distress, family responsibilities, and changes in daily life. The report documents clinical evidence relevant to the case; it does not decide legal eligibility.
How should I prepare, and what documents should I bring?
During intake, we confirm which records are needed and how to send them securely. Your referring office can provide them, or you can provide them if you are representing yourself. Before the interview, prepare a medication list, relevant treatment dates, and a short timeline. Answer in your own words; there is nothing to rehearse.
How many sessions is the evaluation, and what is the interview like?
We arrange the interview through email, text, or a brief conversation, confirming the case type, preferred language, availability, and next steps. The evaluation may involve one or more interview sessions, depending on the individual case. During the interview, the evaluator follows a structured guide and asks follow-up questions. Sessions take place by secure, HIPAA-compliant Google Meet.
Can you fail an immigration psychological evaluation?
No. This is a clinical documentation process, not a pass or fail exam. There is no score to beat and no right answer to give. The clinicians document what the clinical evidence supports, never a predetermined finding, and no honest evaluator can promise a particular finding or outcome. Your job is simply to answer openly; the evaluation records your situation as it is.
What tests are used in an immigration psychological evaluation?
The evaluator selects the assessment instruments while planning each interview and evaluation, considering the case type and the person’s age, language, history, and individual needs. Examples include the PHQ-9, GAD-7, PCL-5 with the LEC-5, and WHODAS 2.0. The combination varies by case and may be adjusted as further information becomes available. Results are interpreted alongside the interview and relevant records to inform the clinical findings.
What happens after the evaluation? Who receives the report?
We deliver the completed, co-signed report to your authorized attorney or immigration office. If you are representing yourself, we send the signed PDF to you by secure email once the balance is paid. Delivery is not filing. You or your legal representative handle submission and deadlines. You pay Kipu Terra directly for the evaluation.
Related: read evaluations for all eight case types, the extreme hardship evaluation for the I-601A waiver, our published base pricing (from $750), more questions answered, what families should know, how remote evaluations by secure video work, nationwide, how expedited and 24-hour turnaround works, and what a psychological evaluation is and when you need one.
Common questions
Does every report go to USCIS?
No. The filing destination depends on the case. A report may be used as evidence before USCIS or an immigration court (EOIR). Cancellation of removal under EOIR-42B is decided in immigration court. I-212 filing routes also vary. We deliver the report to you or your authorized legal representative. Ask a qualified immigration attorney where and how to submit it.
Can you fail an immigration psychological evaluation?
No. It is a clinical documentation process, not a pass or fail exam. There is no score to beat and no right answer to give. The clinicians document what the clinical evidence supports, never a predetermined finding, and no honest evaluator can promise a particular finding or outcome.
How old can a psychological evaluation be for USCIS?
USCIS does not publish a fixed expiration date for a psychological evaluation. In practice, most attorneys want a recent report that reflects your current situation, so confirm the timing with your attorney. If you need a current report quickly, expedited turnaround is available.
Who receives the report after the evaluation?
We deliver the completed, co-signed report to your authorized attorney or immigration office. If you are representing yourself, we send the signed PDF to you by secure email once the balance is paid. Delivery is not filing. You or your legal representative handle submission and deadlines. You pay Kipu Terra directly for the evaluation.
My attorney asked me to get an immigration psychological evaluation. What is it, and how much does it cost?
It is an immigration psychological evaluation. A licensed clinician reviews relevant records, conducts clinical interviews and standardized assessments, and writes a report documenting the supported findings. The focus depends on the case type. I-601A, I-601, I-612, and I-212 evaluations start at $750; other services have their own published base prices. We confirm the exact fee in writing before engagement.
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