Green Card Update for Married Couples as September Rule Looms
Summary
The U.S. government has advanced the green card processing dates for spouses of lawful permanent residents, allowing more couples to apply sooner. Meanwhile, a new policy starting September 18 will change how immigration officers review financial factors in green card applications.Key Facts
- The State Department moved up the F2A final action date to July 22, 2026, for most countries and to July 22, 2025, for Mexico.
- F2A category covers spouses and unmarried children under 21 of lawful permanent residents.
- Starting September 18, the Department of Homeland Security will change the public charge rule, giving officers more control to decide if applicants might rely on public benefits.
- U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will require a new Form I-485 for green card applications after September 18.
- The updated Visa Bulletin allows more applicants to submit adjustment of status forms and, in some cases, receive work authorization while waiting.
- The movement in dates is unusual but not permanent; dates could move backward if demand increases.
- Spouses of green card holders have stricter rules compared to spouses of U.S. citizens, needing to maintain lawful status to qualify.
- The government warns that visa dates might shift again depending on immigration demand and policy changes.
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