What are the rules for conducting interviews with patent practitioners in foreign countries?

When conducting interviews with patent practitioners in foreign countries, examiners must follow specific guidelines:

• Interviews must be conducted via video conference or telephone.
• In-person interviews in foreign countries are not permitted.
• The same interview policies and procedures apply as for domestic interviews.

As stated in the MPEP 408: ‘For patent practitioners in foreign countries, interviews must be scheduled to be conducted by video conference or telephone. Examiners may not hold in-person interviews with patent practitioners in foreign countries.’