If you’re applying for a marriage-based green card in 2025, you’ve likely heard it’s getting harder—and unfortunately, that’s true. Processing times are longer, interviews are tougher, and USCIS is issuing more Requests for Evidence (RFEs) than ever before.
At Green Family Immigration Law, we specialize in helping couples navigate the changing immigration landscape. Here’s what you need to know to stay ahead.
Green Card Processing Times in 2025
USCIS is currently taking 18–24 months to process most marriage green card cases (Form I-130 + Form I-485). This includes time for biometrics, interview scheduling, and final decision. While the timeline varies by location, even cases filed with complete evidence are seeing significant delays.
Increased Scrutiny at USCIS Interviews
In 2025, marriage-based interviews are more detailed and relationship-focused than before. Officers are asking personal, day-to-day questions about:
- How you met
- How you divide chores
- Arguments and how you resolve them
- Each other’s routines, friends, and family
RFEs Are More Common in 2025
We’ve seen a rise in RFEs requesting:
- More proof of cohabitation
- Shared financial documents (joint bank statements, tax returns, insurance)
- Updated photos with captions
- Evidence of continuous relationship (texts, calls, trips)
USCIS is placing more weight on the quality of your bona fide marriage evidence than ever before.
How to Strengthen Your Marriage Green Card Case
To improve your chances of approval in 2025:
1. Submit Strong Evidence From the Start:
- Joint lease or mortgage
- Utility bills, bank statements, and tax returns
- Photos across time and settings (limit to 3–5 with context)
- 2–4 notarized affidavits from friends or family
- Screenshots of texts, FaceTime history, and shared calendars
2. Prepare for the Interview Like a Job Interview:
We offer every client a mock USCIS interview to help you practice and feel confident. You’ll learn how to answer tough questions naturally, without sounding scripted.
3. Don’t Wait for a Problem to Hire a Lawyer:
Fixing a mistake or RFE takes more time and money than getting it right from the beginning. We file every case as if it will be scrutinized—because in 2025, it will be.
Final Word: Is It Still Possible to Get a Marriage Green Card in 2025?
Absolutely. We’ve helped hundreds of couples get approved, even in today’s environment. But success now requires more preparation, more documentation, and more care.
We’ll help you every step of the way—from organizing documents to preparing for your interview.
