- By Supratik Das
- Mon, 20 Oct 2025 01:30 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
A long and anxious wait for a US Green Card by a couple came to an end this month, bringing a wave of relief after months of uncertainty. Posting their experience on Reddit, the couple described every step in their application process and provided valuable tips for others trying to navigate America's convoluted immigration process.
The couple started their Green Card process in May 2025 and received official approval early in October, getting the whole procedure done in less than five months. “There is an immense stress lifted from our shoulders,” the Reddit user wrote, expressing gratitude to others online whose shared experiences helped them throughout the process.
The couple decided early on to hire an immigration attorney to handle their paperwork, including forms I-485, I-130, and I-765. This decision, they said, helped them avoid delays and confusion.
Step-by-Step Timeline
Their careful account provided the complete timeline:
• May 12, 2025: Case submitted online
• May 15: Receipt notice issued
• May 22: Notice of biometrics received
• June 4: Biometrics taken
• June 13: Employment Authorization Document (EAD) card mailed
• Jul 8: Social Security Number issued
• Aug 20: Interview scheduled
• Sept 26: Interview conducted in Newark, New Jersey
• Oct 6: Green Card received
The applicants noted that every milestone was promptly updated by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), especially after biometrics and interview stages.
Their interview, conducted at 8:15 am in Newark, was described as “brief and straightforward.” The couple chose not to bring an attorney, believing their case was simple enough. However, they did take a Spanish interpreter for the husband, recommended by their lawyer.
“The officer asked for our IDs, birth certificates, and a few I-130 questions such as where we met, who attended our wedding, and when we moved in together,” the applicant shared. After a short round of 10–15 questions, fingerprints and photos were taken. The officer then informed them that a notice would be issued within a week — which came as the long-awaited approval.
They also adviced future applicants, “Always print copies of all forms and evidence filed, as officers often ask for them during interviews.”
New Rules For Citizenship Test
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced changes to the naturalisation civics test, which will come into effect for all applicants filing Form N-400 on or after October 20, 2025.
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Key changes include:
• The civics section will now include 20 questions drawn from a bank of 128 questions.
• Applicants must answer at least 12 questions correctly to pass.
• The interview will stop once the applicant gets 12 correct or 9 incorrect answers.
• The English reading, writing, and speaking tests remain unchanged.
• Older applicants aged 65 or above and Green Card holders for 20 years or more will continue to take a shorter version — 10 questions from a pool of 20, requiring 6 correct answers to pass.
• Seniors in this category may take the test in their native language.
The US State Department's November 2025 Visa Bulletin indicates modest change in family-sponsored categories. The F2B category (unmarried children of permanent residents) for India moved nine days, and the employment-based categories remained unchanged.