Key Takeaways
• Marriage green card processing averages 9.2 months inside US and 14.3 months abroad as of June 2025.
• USCIS allows expedited requests only for urgent humanitarian, medical, financial, or government-related emergencies.
• No new policies in 2025; expedite approvals are rare and require strong evidence of a true emergency.
For couples hoping to build a life together in the United States 🇺🇸, the marriage green card process is a crucial step. But what happens when urgent circumstances make waiting nearly a year—or even longer—feel impossible? As of June 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has not introduced any new policies to speed up marriage green card applications for most people. Still, there are ways to ask for expedited processing in rare, urgent cases. Here’s what you need to know about the current rules, how the process works, and what real applicants can expect.
What’s New: Current Status of Expedited Marriage Green Card Processing
Who: Couples where one spouse is a U.S. citizen or green card holder and the other is seeking permanent residency
What: Requests to speed up (expedite) the marriage green card process
When: As of June 2025
Where: United States 🇺🇸 and U.S. consulates abroad
Why: Urgent personal, medical, or financial reasons
How: By submitting a formal expedite request to USCIS
There have been no major changes to the rules for expediting marriage green cards in 2025. The last update to the official expedite guidance was on March 31, 2025, and it remains in effect. No new executive orders or laws have changed how these requests are handled. USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou has not made any recent statements about marriage-based green card expedites, and the Department of State (which handles cases for spouses outside the United States 🇺🇸) has not announced any changes either.
How Long Does the Marriage Green Card Process Take?
Processing times for marriage green cards depend on your situation:
- Spouses of U.S. citizens inside the United States 🇺🇸: Average wait is 9.2 months
- Spouses of U.S. citizens outside the United States 🇺🇸: Average wait is 14.3 months
- Spouses of green card holders: Wait can be much longer—currently up to 35 months
These times are averages and can change based on where you live, how busy your local USCIS office is, and other factors. For most couples, there is no waiting list for spouses of U.S. citizens, but spouses of green card holders may face longer waits due to annual limits on visas.
Can You Speed Up the Marriage Green Card Process?
Yes, but only in special situations. USCIS allows anyone to request expedited processing for any application, including marriage green cards. However, these requests are only approved if you can show a very urgent need. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, most expedite requests for marriage green cards are denied unless there is strong, clear evidence of an emergency.
When Will USCIS Consider Expedited Processing?
USCIS reviews expedite requests case by case. They look for:
- Severe financial loss to a person or company if the green card is not approved quickly
- Emergency or urgent humanitarian reasons (such as serious illness, danger, or family crisis)
- Compelling U.S. government interests (such as urgent work for the government)
- Clear USCIS error (if the agency made a mistake)
- Severe medical conditions affecting the applicant or close family
- Urgent employment needs (in rare cases)
If your situation matches one or more of these, you may have a chance at expedited processing. But you must provide strong, detailed evidence.
How to Request Expedited Processing: Step-by-Step
If you believe you qualify, here’s how to ask USCIS for expedited processing:
- Check the Official Criteria: Review the official USCIS expedite request page to make sure your situation fits their rules. You can find this guidance on the USCIS Expedite Requests page.
- Gather Evidence: Collect documents that prove your urgent need. This could include:
- Medical records or doctor’s letters
- Proof of financial loss (bank statements, bills, eviction notices)
- Letters from employers or government agencies
- Any other documents showing why you need faster processing
- Write a Request Letter: Clearly explain your situation and why you need your case expedited. Attach all your evidence.
- Contact USCIS: Call the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283. They will give you instructions on how to submit your request and documents.
- Wait for a Response: USCIS may ask for more information. They usually reply within a few weeks, but there is no set timeline.
Important: There is no fee to request expedited processing.
What Are Your Chances of Success?
Expedite requests for marriage green cards are rarely approved unless there is a true emergency. Vague claims or general hardship are not enough. You must show clear, specific, and serious reasons for needing faster processing.
Examples of situations that might qualify:
– A spouse has a life-threatening illness and needs to be reunited for medical care.
– The applicant faces eviction or severe financial hardship if the process is not sped up.
– There is a serious threat to safety or well-being in the applicant’s current country.
Examples that usually do NOT qualify:
– Wanting to avoid long-distance marriage
– Missing family events or holidays
– General frustration with wait times
What Happens After You Submit an Expedite Request?
If USCIS agrees that your case meets the criteria, they will try to process your application faster. However, even approved expedite requests do not guarantee a specific timeline. Your case may still take several months, depending on the workload and other factors.
If your request is denied, your application will continue through the normal process. You will not lose your place in line or be punished for asking.
What Do Experts and Advocacy Groups Say?
Immigration attorneys and advocacy groups agree that while expedited processing is possible, it is rarely granted for marriage green cards. According to Boundless Immigration, most requests are denied unless there is a severe medical or humanitarian reason. Shoreline Immigration points out that timelines can range from 9 to 40 months, and expedite requests are not a shortcut for most couples.
Immi-USA also notes that processing times can vary widely, and even for spouses of U.S. citizens, the average wait is about 9.5 months inside the United States 🇺🇸 and over 20 months abroad.
USCIS does not publish approval rates for expedite requests, but most lawyers report that approvals are rare without strong evidence.
Historical Context: How Have Processing Times Changed?
Before 2020, most marriage green card cases were processed in under a year. The COVID-19 pandemic caused major delays, with some cases taking up to two years or more. Since then, processing times have improved but are still longer than before the pandemic. As of 2025, the average wait for spouses of U.S. citizens inside the United States 🇺🇸 is about 9.2 months.
The rules for expedite requests have not changed much in recent years. USCIS has tried to make the process more efficient by using digital systems, but high numbers of applications mean backlogs are still common.
What’s Next? Future Outlook
There are no plans to change the expedite request process or criteria in the near future. High application numbers and staffing challenges could cause future delays, but for now, processing times have stabilized. Advocacy groups are pushing for faster processing and clearer rules, but no new laws or regulations are expected soon.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I guarantee my marriage green card will be expedited?
No. Each request is reviewed individually, and approval is not guaranteed.
What evidence should I provide?
Medical records, letters from employers, proof of financial loss, or other documents that clearly show your urgent need.
How long does it take to get a decision on an expedite request?
USCIS usually responds within a few weeks if they do not need more information.
Is there a fee for expedited processing?
No, there is no extra fee to request expedited processing.
Will asking for expedited processing hurt my case if I’m denied?
No. Your application will continue as normal if your request is denied.
Summary Table: Marriage Green Card Processing and Expedite Options
| Category | Average Processing Time | Expedite Possible? | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spouse of U.S. Citizen (in U.S.) | 9.2 months | Yes | Rarely granted without strong evidence |
| Spouse of U.S. Citizen (abroad) | 14.3 months | Yes | Rarely granted without strong evidence |
| Spouse of Green Card Holder | 35 months | Yes | Rarely granted without strong evidence |
What Should You Do Next?
If you are waiting for a marriage green card and believe you have an urgent reason for expedited processing, take these steps:
- Review the official USCIS expedite request criteria to see if your situation qualifies.
- Gather strong evidence to support your request.
- Prepare a clear, detailed letter explaining your urgent need.
- Contact USCIS at 1-800-375-5283 for instructions on submitting your request.
- Be realistic about your chances—most requests are denied unless there is a true emergency.
For the most up-to-date information, always check the USCIS Expedite Requests page or call the USCIS Contact Center.
Practical Tips for Applicants
- Stay organized: Keep copies of all documents and communication with USCIS.
- Be honest: Do not exaggerate or make false claims in your expedite request.
- Check your case status regularly: Use your USCIS online account or call the Contact Center.
- Consider legal help: If your case is complex or you are unsure about your evidence, consult an immigration attorney.
Implications for Different Groups
For Immigrants:
Expedited processing is a possible but rare option. Most applicants should expect to wait the average processing time. Only those with urgent, well-documented needs have a realistic chance of approval.
For Employers:
If your employee is waiting for a marriage green card and you have urgent business needs, you may submit a letter as part of the expedite request. However, business reasons alone are rarely enough unless there is a severe financial loss.
For Families:
Separation can be difficult, but emotional hardship alone is not usually enough for expedited processing. Focus on gathering evidence if there are medical or financial emergencies.
Official Resources
- USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283
- USCIS Expedite Request Information: USCIS Expedite Requests
- Marriage Green Card Forms:
Final Thoughts
Expedited processing for marriage green cards is possible, but only in rare and urgent cases. Most couples should prepare for the standard wait times—about 9.2 months for spouses of U.S. citizens inside the United States 🇺🇸, and longer for others. Strong evidence is key for any expedite request, and there is no guarantee of approval. For the latest updates, always rely on official government resources and consider seeking legal advice if your case is complex.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, while the desire to reunite quickly is understandable, the marriage green card process remains a careful, step-by-step journey for most families. Staying informed and prepared is the best way to handle the wait and any urgent needs that may arise.
Learn Today
Marriage Green Card → Legal permanent residency granted to spouses of U.S. citizens or green card holders.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, agency processing immigration and citizenship applications.
Expedited Processing → A faster review of immigration applications for urgent humanitarian, medical, or financial reasons.
Adjustment of Status → Process to change from temporary visa to permanent resident within the United States.
Consular Processing → Immigrant visa application process conducted at a U.S. consulate outside the United States.
This Article in a Nutshell
The marriage green card process averages months with rare expedited options. USCIS evaluates urgent cases strictly. Most applicants must expect standard waits. Only strong emergencies like severe illness or financial loss justify faster processing. Always provide compelling evidence for expedite requests and stay informed via official USCIS sources.
— By VisaVerge.com
