The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced new policy guidance to strengthen the way it processes family-based immigration petitions especially those based on marriage.
The updated rules, published on 1 August 2025 in the USCIS Policy Manual, are now in effect. They apply to both newly submitted and pending applications for lawful permanent residence (commonly known as green cards).
The agency said the changes are part of an effort to better detect fraudulent applications and verify whether claimed family ties particularly marriages are real and legally valid.
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In its official statement, USCIS said: “Fraudulent, frivolous, or otherwise non-meritorious family-based immigrant visa petitions erode confidence in family-based pathways to lawful permanent resident (LPR) status and undermine family unity in the United States.”
It added that the new rules aim to ensure that family relationships “are genuine, verifiable, and compliant with all applicable laws.”
What are the new rules?
Couples applying for a green card through marriage must now submit stronger documentation to demonstrate that their relationship is real. This includes:
- Joint financial records (e.g. shared bank accounts, utility bills)
- Photographs showing the couple together
- Personal statements or letters from friends and relatives
USCIS may also review any previous petitions involving the same sponsor or applicant.
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Mandatory interviews for couples
In-person interviews will now be required more frequently to assess the validity of the marriage. Officials may ask questions to confirm how well the couple knows each other and to verify details about their life together. Closer scrutiny of immigration history and duplicate filings. USCIS will examine the applicant’s immigration history more closely. This includes:
The aim is to detect patterns that may suggest misuse of the system or repeated attempts to obtain status through questionable means.
Approval does not guarantee protection from removal
The agency made clear that approving a family-based petition does not automatically shield the applicant from removal (deportation).
“We may issue a Notice to Appear if the beneficiary is otherwise removable, since a family-based immigrant visa petition does not grant immigration status or relief from removal,” USCIS stated.
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Even if a petition is approved, an applicant found ineligible to adjust status could still face deportation.
When can petitions be filed abroad?
The new guidance also outlines special situations where a US citizen may file a Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) directly with the US Department of State abroad. This includes:
- Immediate family members of US military personnel or government staff stationed overseas
- Temporary authorisation during large-scale emergencies such as natural disasters or conflict
Petitions may be routed for overseas processing
If an applicant submits an adjustment of status application within the US but is later found ineligible, USCIS may forward the petition to the Department of State’s National Visa Center for further processing outside the US.
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Guidance is now in effect
These updated rules apply immediately to all family-based immigration petitions filed on or after 1 August 2025, as well as those already pending. The full policy guidance is available on the official USCIS website.
