How Does a Long-Distance Marriage Affect Green Card Applications

You’d be surprised how many married couples live apart. Jobs, school, visa rules, families—life just gets in the way. So when people come in and ask, “We don’t live together right now—is that going to ruin our green card case?” I always say, no, not automatically. But you’ll have to show a little more proof than most.

Why Distance Raises Questions

Here’s the thing—USCIS wants to know your marriage is real. They call it a bona fide marriage, meaning it’s genuine, not just paperwork. Most couples who live together leave behind proof—mail, bills, joint bank accounts, maybe shared insurance. When you live apart, you just don’t have as much of that, and that’s what triggers questions.

It doesn’t mean they assume fraud. It just means you’ve got to fill in the blanks another way.

Showing That It’s a Real Relationship

If you’re in a long-distance marriage, think about what you do have—things that show you’re still connected. Travel tickets, boarding passes, text messages, call logs, photos. USCIS loves a timeline that makes sense.

Examples that help:

• Flight records, hotel receipts, passport stamps—proof of visits.
• Real photos, not perfect ones—pictures with friends or family, not just posed ones.
• Screenshots of messages or video calls.
• Shared bank accounts or joint money transfers.
• Letters or statements from people who’ve seen you together.

You don’t need all of this, just enough to tell a believable story. The officer’s thinking: “Do these two live like a couple, even from a distance?”

The Interview

At the green card interview, they’ll usually ask about how you stay in touch. Not to trip you up—they just want to see if you sound like a real couple.

They might ask:

• How often do you see each other?
• What’s the plan for living together later?
• How do you talk day-to-day?
• What’s your spouse’s job, schedule, or major?

The worst thing you can do is over-prepare. Couples who try to memorize everything sound robotic. Just be natural. If you don’t remember something, say so. It’s fine.

If You Don’t Live Together Yet

That’s fine too. Maybe you’re waiting for a job transfer, maybe the foreign spouse can’t move yet. It happens. The key is showing it’s temporary. You can include proof of your future plans—an apartment lease, a relocation notice, even emails about timing your move.

Keep Track of Everything

Make it a habit to save things now. Plane tickets. Screenshots. Even small things like gift receipts or shared subscriptions—they show daily connection.

And check your forms carefully—make sure both addresses, phone numbers, and timelines line up. Little inconsistencies can raise flags, even innocent ones.

Real Example

I worked with a couple who’d been apart for almost two years—one in Chicago, one in Manila. They talked every day, visited twice a year, and had joint savings. USCIS wanted more proof. We sent travel records, old screenshots, and letters from both families. It was approved. No drama.

They didn’t fake anything; they just showed their life as it was. That’s what works.

Bottom Line

A long-distance marriage doesn’t disqualify you. You just have to prove that it’s real—that the distance is about circumstance, not convenience.

Be honest. Document your story. Explain the “why” behind the distance. If the case feels tricky or the distance has lasted years, talk to an immigration lawyer before filing. Sometimes a quick review saves months later.

As long as your relationship is genuine, the paperwork will reflect that—and USCIS can tell the difference.

Sources:

• USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 6 Pt. B Ch. 2
• 8 C.F.R. § 204.2(a)(1)(i)(B)