What to Do If Your Marriage-Based Green Card Is Denied

That letter from USCIS comes in the mail, and right there at the top, it says “Denied.” You stare at it for a second, maybe two. Then it hits you in the gut.

After all the forms, the interview, and the proof, you thought this was done. Now it feels like everything’s falling apart.

But look — it’s not the end. It just means something’s missing, or something wasn’t clear enough the first time.

You still have a path forward. You just need to slow down and see what actually happened.

Start With the Letter

Most people throw it on the table and can’t look at it again. Don’t do that. Read it. Every line.

USCIS actually tells you why they said no. Maybe it says “insufficient evidence.” Maybe it says “inadmissible.” Maybe the officer didn’t believe your story matched at the interview.

That letter is the key. Was it the I-130, your spouse’s petition to prove the marriage is real? Or the I-485, your application to adjust status?

Those are two different problems. Knowing which one failed tells you what to fix.

The Usual Reasons

After doing this long enough, you start seeing the same patterns.

Not Enough Proof

Sometimes, couples just don’t send enough. Or the proof they send doesn’t show a life together.

You don’t need fancy photos—USCIS wants to see things that look real: joint taxes, leases, insurance, utility bills, pictures over time.

If you live apart because of work, say so. If your finances are separate, explain why. The officer won’t guess your reasons; you have to tell them.

The Interview Went Sideways

Everyone’s nervous in those interviews. You forget a date, your spouse mixes up who paid the last electric bill, you blank on the color of the living-room walls.

One or two mistakes are fine. But a pattern of different answers? That sets off alarms.

Background Issues

Sometimes it’s not the marriage at all. Maybe an overstay, a visa mix-up, or something old on your record.

That can make you “inadmissible.” Some things can be waived; others need a whole new strategy.

What You Can Do

Motion to Reopen or Reconsider

If you think USCIS missed something or ignored new evidence, you can file a motion—Form I-290B. You’ve got 30 days. A reopen adds new proof. A reconsideration says they applied the law incorrectly. Works best when you actually have something new or a clear error to point to.

Appeal

If they said your marriage wasn’t real and you’re sure they’re wrong, you can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals. Takes longer, a few months at least, and you’ll want a lawyer for that.

Refile

Honestly, this is what most couples do. Start again, do it right this time, show more proof. We’ve seen it happen over and over—denied the first time, approved the second.

Go Through the Consulate

If you can’t fix it in the U.S., you may reapply through the consulate back home. It’s slower, but it clears certain issues that can’t be solved stateside.

Build a Stronger File

Don’t overthink it. Send the things that show you live a normal married life.

• Joint tax returns, bank accounts, leases, and insurance.
• Photos that show a timeline, not just the wedding day.
• Letters from relatives or friends who see you together.
• Kids’ school records, travel receipts, phone bills, grocery orders — everyday stuff that adds up.

Officers don’t want perfection. They want a real story that makes sense.

Don’t Miss the Deadline

You usually have 30 days to file a motion or appeal. That clock starts the day of the denial letter. If you plan to refile instead, remember your work card and travel card end with the case. Don’t wait months to act—you could slip out of status without meaning to.

Get Help Before You Guess

Every denial has its own story. Some are fixable in weeks; others hide landmines. A good immigration lawyer can read the denial, spot what really caused it, and plan the next move.

I’ve seen denials caused by something tiny—one missing tax form, an old W-2 that never got scanned. We fixed it, refiled, and got approval in three months. Other times, it’s more serious and needs a waiver or consular filing. The point is: don’t guess alone.

Keep Perspective

We know it feels personal, but a denial isn’t USCIS saying your marriage isn’t real. It’s them saying your file didn’t prove it. That’s a fixable problem.

Take the time to rebuild, document your life together, and try again. Most couples who stay persistent get approved the second time.

Sources

• Immigration and Nationality Act §§ 204, 245
• 8 C.F.R. §§ 103.3-103.5
• USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 7, Pt. A-B