In 2025, USCIS has made several behind-the-scenes adjustments to the marriage-based green card process. While these changes weren’t announced with high visibility, they are now significantly impacting how cases are filed, reviewed, and approved. For couples, this means higher standards, longer wait times, and less room for error. At Konuri Law, we want to ensure you understand these updates and prepare accordingly.
One of the biggest shifts involves USCIS’s requirement that only the latest editions of forms be used. The agency has stopped accepting outdated versions of key applications, including the I-485 (Adjustment of Status) and the I-129F (Fiancé Visa), which must now be filed using the January 20, 2025 editions. Even the I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) has been updated to emphasize fraud warnings and requires applicants to clearly indicate whether they are pursuing adjustment of status or consular processing. Submitting an outdated or incomplete form can now result in automatic rejection.
The filing process itself has also become stricter. USCIS requires separate payments for each form, meaning couples can no longer combine filing fees into a single check. In addition, applicants must now clearly select the type of processing they seek—adjustment of status or consular processing—and in some cases, they may be required to submit their I-693 medical exam right at the beginning of the application process.
Fraud prevention has become a more central focus. USCIS has updated its petitions with bold warnings about sham marriages and is conducting deeper reviews of couples’ financial and personal histories. Officers are now paying closer attention to income, assets, debt, and prior immigration records. In a new policy twist, even an approved I-130 petition no longer guarantees safety from removal proceedings; if other issues exist, USCIS may still place the foreign spouse in deportation proceedings.
Another major change is that in-person interviews are now expected in virtually every case. Previously, some couples had interviews waived, but in 2025 USCIS is requiring spouses to attend interviews and provide stronger evidence of their marriage. Couples should anticipate more probing questions about their daily lives and be prepared to present extensive documentation, such as joint leases, tax returns, photos together, and affidavits from family and friends.
Processing times are also stretching longer. The average wait time for an I-130 petition is now 14–15 months, and USCIS is issuing more Requests for Evidence, which add to delays. This makes planning and preparation especially important for couples who need work authorization or have travel plans.
At Konuri Law, we recommend that couples carefully review their forms to ensure they are using the most current editions and build a strong package of relationship evidence before filing. Preparing thoroughly for the interview is crucial, as is anticipating possible delays. Because USCIS is scrutinizing applications more closely than ever, working with an experienced immigration attorney can help prevent rejections and make your case stronger from the start.
The marriage green card process in 2025 has become more challenging, but genuine couples can still succeed with careful preparation. With USCIS raising the bar, professional legal guidance is more important than ever. Contact Konuri Law today to schedule a consultation and ensure your application is as strong as possible under the new rules.