Marriage-based Green Card applicants across the United States 🇺🇸 are facing tougher interviews in 2025, with many describing the process as more like an interrogation than a routine check. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made these interviews mandatory for almost every couple, aiming to stop marriage fraud and protect national security. As a result, couples now spend up to two hours in interviews, answering deeply personal questions and providing more evidence than ever before.
Why Are Green Card Interviews Tougher Now?
USCIS changed its approach in early 2025, ending the practice of waiving interviews for couples who had already shown strong proof of a real marriage. Now, every marriage-based Green Card case requires an in-person interview, no matter how much evidence the couple provides. These interviews take place at USCIS field offices nationwide, with especially high numbers in cities like New York, Phoenix, and Seattle.
The main reason for these changes is to catch fake marriages and keep the country safe. According to USCIS, the new rules help officers check if marriages are real and make sure that only those who truly qualify get a Green Card. Morgan Bailey, a former Department of Homeland Security official, explained, “USCIS’s mission has shifted more toward screening and vetting rather than primarily granting benefits.” This means the agency now focuses more on checking for fraud and security risks than on simply approving applications.
What Happens During the Interview?
Applicants say the interviews are much longer and more intense than before. Many last up to two hours, with officers asking detailed questions about the couple’s relationship, daily life, and even private matters. In some cases, officers separate the spouses and interview them one at a time. This can make the process feel even more stressful, as each person must answer questions alone and hope their answers match.
During the interview, officers usually start with questions about the marriage itself, using Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative). They want to see if the marriage is real and not just for immigration purposes. After that, they move on to questions about the applicant’s eligibility for a Green Card, using Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). Officers look for any differences in the couple’s answers or gaps in their evidence.
Key Changes in Evidence Requirements
One of the biggest changes in 2025 is the need for more evidence at the very start of the process. USCIS now requires couples to submit a full set of documents proving their relationship when they file their application—not just at the interview. This includes:
- Joint financial records (like bank statements or tax returns)
- Shared leases or mortgages
- Photos together from the start of the relationship
- Travel itineraries showing trips taken together
- Logs of communication (such as text messages or emails)
- Medical exams
If couples do not send in enough evidence with their initial application, USCIS may delay their case, ask for more documents (through a Request for Evidence, or RFE), or even reject the application outright. This makes it more important than ever for couples to gather and organize their paperwork before applying.
Updated Forms and Policy Guidance
In 2025, USCIS released new versions of the main forms used in marriage-based Green Card cases. These include:
- Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative
- Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status
USCIS now rejects any application that uses an old version of these forms. The new forms also include clear warnings about marriage fraud and explain options for consular processing (when one spouse is outside the United States 🇺🇸). Along with the new forms, USCIS updated its policy manual to stress the importance of careful vetting in family-based immigration cases.
Separate Interviews: A New Normal
A major change in 2025 is the rise of separate interviews for each spouse. Even couples in genuine marriages may be questioned alone, with officers comparing their answers for consistency. This approach, sometimes called a “Stokes interview,” can be nerve-wracking. Officers may ask about:
- How the couple met and started dating
- Details about their wedding
- Daily routines and habits
- Family relationships and holidays
- Personal items in their home
If the answers do not match, or if there are gaps in the evidence, officers may dig deeper or even deny the application. Couples say the tone of these interviews often feels accusatory, as if they are being suspected of wrongdoing from the start.
USCIS’s Official Position
USCIS says these changes are necessary to stop fraud and keep Americans safe. The agency’s public statements stress that the new rules help officers “vet qualifying marriages and family relationships to prevent fraud and protect Americans from potential security threats.” This focus on security has grown stronger since the Trump administration, and there are no signs of a return to the old, less strict process.
Impact on Couples and Families
For many couples, the new interview process brings extra stress and uncertainty. Some worry that even small mistakes or missing documents could lead to delays or denials. Others feel uncomfortable with the personal nature of the questions, especially when asked separately. Processing times have grown longer, and the risk of denial is higher if the application is not complete.
One applicant shared, “We spent weeks gathering every piece of evidence we could think of. Even then, the interview felt like an interrogation. The officer asked about things like the color of our bedsheets and what we ate for breakfast. It was stressful, but we were prepared.”
What Can Applicants Do to Prepare?
Given the stricter rules, couples should take several steps to improve their chances of success:
- Submit all required evidence with the initial application. Do not wait until the interview to provide documents.
- Use the latest versions of all forms. Check the USCIS website for updates.
- Prepare for detailed questions. Practice answering questions about your relationship, daily life, and shared experiences.
- Organize your documents. Bring originals and copies of all evidence to the interview.
- Be honest and consistent. Officers look for differences in answers, so make sure both spouses remember key details.
- Consider legal help. If you have a complicated case or past immigration issues, a qualified attorney can help you prepare.
No Signs of Policy Rollback
As of August 2025, there are no plans to return to the old system of waiving interviews for some couples. In fact, the Department of State is also making it harder to skip interviews for nonimmigrant visas starting September 2, 2025. This shows a government-wide move toward more in-person interviews and closer checks.
Resources for Applicants
- USCIS Green Card Information: Marriage-based Green Card eligibility
- USCIS Policy Manual Updates: Policy Manual
- USCIS Contact Center: 1-800-375-5283 (for interview rescheduling and questions)
Looking Ahead
The trend toward stricter interviews and more evidence is expected to continue. Couples applying for a Green Card should expect a longer, more detailed process and prepare carefully. As reported by VisaVerge.com, these changes mean that even genuine couples must work harder to prove their marriage is real and meet all USCIS requirements.
Final Tips
- Start early. Gathering documents and preparing for the interview takes time.
- Stay organized. Keep all paperwork in one place and make copies.
- Follow instructions. Use the correct forms and check for updates on the USCIS website.
- Ask for help if needed. Many community organizations and lawyers offer support for Green Card applicants.
By understanding the new rules and preparing carefully, couples can face the tougher Green Card interview process with more confidence and a better chance of success.
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