US Issues Tight Green Card Rules for Married Couples

The U.S. has significantly revamped its green card procedures for marriage-based applicants in 2025, introducing stricter vetting, updated forms, and tougher fee and travel rules. Genuine couples now face heightened scrutiny, longer processing times, and stricter requirements that demand careful attention to detail. Navigating this new landscape means staying current on mandatory forms, understanding separate payment protocols, and preparing comprehensive documentation to prove a legitimate marriage. This article breaks down each change clearly and offers actionable guidance to help applicants succeed under the new regime.

Mandatory Use of the Latest Form Editions

USCIS now requires applicants to file only the latest editions of key forms to avoid automatic rejection. As of April 3, 2025, Form I‑485 (Adjustment of Status) must be the January 20, 2025 edition. The same applies to Form I‑130 (Petition for Alien Relative) and Form I‑129F (Fiancé Visa), with strict effective dates in early 2025.

Submissions using outdated forms, even by a single outdated page, are routinely refused without correction. Applicants must confirm the editions on the USCIS website and double-check document packages. This exact compliance requirement reflects the agency’s zero-tolerance policy toward paperwork errors.

Increased Filing Fees and Separate Payment Requirements

Couples must now pay filing fees individually—bundled payments are no longer accepted. Each form requires its own separate check or money order, and the financial audit process is stricter than ever.

Filing cost increases are notable across forms; applicants must budget accordingly and prepare separate payment instruments to avoid delays or outright denials. The financial burden is compounded by anti-public charge checks that ask for proof of solvency, assets, or steady income.

Stricter Fraud Prevention and In‑Depth Vetting

As part of a broader anti-fraud crackdown, USCIS requires more rigorous evidence that a marriage is authentic. Starting August 1, 2025, updated policy guidance mandates enhanced vetting through in-person interviews, home visits, and database cross-checks.

The policy manual now explicitly targets fraudulent, non‑meritorious family‑based visa petitions as undermining confidence in the green card system. USCIS will scrutinize even minor inconsistencies, and unannounced fraud-related inspections are more common.

Longer Processing Times and Fewer Interview Waivers

Under the new rules, processing times have lengthened significantly: adjustment of status and travel approvals may now take 12 to 28 months, compared to shorter timelines previously.

Interview waivers are now rare—even low-risk applicants are required to appear in person, reflecting the agency’s heightened vetting posture. More applicants are being denied at interview or facing requests for additional documentation.

New Medical Exam and Travel Restrictions

Effective February 10, 2025, USCIS mandates that Form I‑693 (medical exam report) must accompany Form I‑485 at initial submission. Any omission risks case rejection.

For applicants planning travel during pending status, advance parole has become mandatory. Leaving the U.S. without it is considered abandonment of the green card application. Recent policy revisions also warn that applicants from high-risk countries may face added restrictions despite holding parole.

Document Quality and Submission Best Practices

High‑quality scans of supporting documents are now essential. The U.S. requires legible, flat copies (not creased or blurry). Ideal scans are 300 dpi for black‑and‑white, 600 dpi for color, especially for passports. Proper digital submission reduces the risk of additional Requests for Evidence.

For applicants using the Diversity Visa path, DS‑260/DS‑261 forms must be submitted online with accurate biographical data. Supporting evidence such as selection letters, educational credentials, photographs, and financial affidavits are all required.

Diversity Visa (DV) Green Card Overview

The Diversity Visa Lottery remains an alternative green card channel, offering up to 55,000 visas annually to eligible countries with low immigration rates. Entry is free and must be submitted during designated windows (e.g. for DV‑2026: Oct 2–Nov 7, 2024).

Selected applicants must act promptly, submitting DS-260, supporting evidence, and attending consular interviews before the fiscal year deadline. Common requirements include educational or work experience, passport validity, photographs, and police records.

Practical Checklist for Marriage‑Based Green Card Applicants

To stay compliant and avoid delays under the tightened green card rules:

• Use only the latest USCIS form editions (I‑485, I‑130, I‑129F)
• Submit separate payments for each form
• Include Form I‑693 medical exam with initial packet
• Gather substantial evidence of a bona fide marriage (shared leases, photos, finances)
• Obtain advance parole before any international travel
• Provide clean, high-resolution document scans
• Expect in-person interviews and possible site visits

These practices help applicants demonstrate credibility and meet USCIS’s heightened standards efficiently.

Conclusion

The 2025 overhaul of green card rules for marriage-based applicants marks one of the most significant policy shifts in recent memory. Applicants now face fewer allowances, tighter timelines, and greater financial scrutiny. Still, genuine couples can succeed—if they prepare meticulously, use the correct forms, provide strong evidence, and avoid procedural mistakes. A well‑organized case can mean the difference between approval and denial under these new standards.