USCIS Strengthens Family-Based Immigrant Visa Process with Enhanced Screening and New Guidelines

Beginning on August 1, 2025, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made significant updates to the family-based immigrant visa processes. The policy adds increased examination on fraud and verified compliance and attempts to prevent visa fraud. These efforts demonstrate USCIS’s commitment to protecting the immigration system while verifying that familial relationships are not invented solely for the purpose of obtaining permanent residency.

Although family reunification differs from other immigration categories, policies pertaining to family-based immigration have focused on nurturing family relationships over the years. With recent changes, there seems to be a spike on reinstating old policies and increasing rules to mitigate fraud linked to family-based immigration applications. These changes are aimed at streamlining fraud verification methods, making sure that the system safeguards U.S. citizens or permanent residents from potential security threats, and preventing the abuse of family petitions.

Family-based immigrant visa procedures update overview

1. Increased Verification Processes

One of the more notable alterations concerns the increase in the screening procedures for family-based petitions. USCIS has implemented more comprehensive background checks, including more thorough checks of the submitted supporting documentation to ensure that those making claims are not making up stories to take advantage of the system.

Familial immigration fraud or frivolous petitions are harmful to the immigration system as a whole, and the USCIS has national security interests while examining any petitions. The policies aim to remove any potentially malicious individuals who wish to enter the U.S. by masquerading as family members or friends. These policies guarantee that the relationships that are claimed in petitions are real and valid under U.S. immigration laws. (uscis.gov)

2. Interviews In-Person For Verification

As part of the revised policy, the sponsor of the petition and the person who benefits from the petition must attend in person to interviews. In the past, interviews were optional for many applicants, but under the new policies, they will become a requirement for many. This is very important for confirming the relationship which is claimed and that both the participants in the petition are real and are family-based immigrants.

Throughout the interview, the USCIS officer will ask specific questions to verify the authenticity of the relationship. Addressing inconsistencies, if any, will lead to the petition being delayed or denied altogether. Also, while making the approval policy changes, USCIS reiterates that the granting of a petition does not mean that an immigration status is given, as the beneficiaries must still fulfill further requirements.

3. Examination of Multiple or Related Petitions

USCIS is making changes to how they will consider the petitions that include multiple family members, that is, the family members being petitioned to. Under a single petition, if a petitioner is submitting multiple family-based petitions or has several related petitions pending, a consolidated evaluation will be done. This helps USCIS identify all petitions at once, which assists in identifying attempts at fraud or abuse, resulting in equity in the adjudication process.

Thus, if an applicant submits petitions for different relatives or has multiple pending cases, USCIS will examine all documents to verify the authenticity of all claimed relationships. This policy change was made to counter “batch” filing, where petitioners attempt to bypass the system by submitting multiple petitions under one claim.

4. National Visa Center (NVC) Processing and Further Assessment

Approved petitions where the beneficiaries are outside the U.S. will be sent to the National Visa Center for further processing. The role of the NVC is to collect the necessary documents and perform background checks for the case prior to the interview at the consulate. This helps to ensure that all applicants are thoroughly checked and meet the requirements prior to the issuance of the visa.

Applicants who are already in the U.S. and wish to change their status will need to submit I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status). If there is an unqualified issue with the beneficiary and the NVC is made aware, even after the petition is approved, then the case will be sent to the NVC for further review.

5. Petitions Submitted by U.S. Citizens Living Internationally

The changing policies for U.S. citizens living abroad, including military members and overseas government staff, are beneficial. They are now permitted to submit family-based petitions while remaining overseas. This modification simplifies and improves the workflow for U.S. citizens who are petitioning for overseas relatives and need to work outside of the country. The policy also accounts for temporary permits for certain large and disruptive events, including but not limited to, natural disasters, which could slow down the petition processes. (uscis.gov)

6. Notice to Appear (NTA) and Removal Procedures

A key change within the policy is the explanation provided for Notice to Appear (NTA). USCIS has indicated that for beneficiaries who are deemed ineligible for permanent resident status post-approval of their family petition, the agency will place them in removal proceedings. With this change, all and any individuals who are deemed under qualified to hold an immigration status are not able to stay in the country just because a family petition in their name was approved. (uscis.gov)

Detailed Instruction to Obtaining A Family Based Immigrant Visa

1. File Form I-130

The petitioner (U.S citizen or lawful permanent resident) fills and submits the Form I-130 (Petition for Alien Relative) with all the necessary documents that demonstrates the family relationship.

2. USCIS Review

USCIS thoroughly examines the petition along with the provided documents, performs background checks, and confirms the relationship. Additional documents may be requested if they are explicitly needed.

3. In-Person Interview

Both the petitioner and the beneficiary may participate in an interview with USCIS if the agency has concerns regarding the relationship’s legitimacy.

4. Approval or Denial

USCIS has the authority to approve or deny the petition depending on the evidence provided, the interview, and the applicant’s eligibility. In case of approval, the petition advances to the next stage.

5. National Visa Center (NVC) Processing

The petition is forwarded to the NVC for beneficiaries outside the U.S. The NVC processes the petition, and the beneficiary must pay fees, submit additional documents, and then they will be scheduled for an interview at a U.S. consulate.

6. Consular Interview (For Applicants Outside the U.S.)

The beneficiary is invited to a consular or embassy interview for the issuance of the visa. The visa will be issued if the interview is successful.

7. Adjustment of Status (For Applicants Inside the U.S.)

If the beneficiary is already in the U.S. and eligible to adjust status, they will file Form I-485 for permanent resident status. The beneficiary is issued a green card after approval.

8. Arrival and Permanent Resident Status

After a visa interview prepares and processes the beneficiary’s travel arrangements, they can now travel to the U.S. with an interview approved travel visa. At the port of entry, the beneficiary’s travel documents will be processed, and once everything is checked immigrant visas will be issued. There, the beneficiary will be issued with a green card, granting them permanent resident status.

Conclusion: Enhancing Security and Integrity in Family-Based Immigration

Last changes to family-based USCIS immigrant visas, especially from an interview perspective, bring progress in the areas of clarity and security. In the USCIS family-based visa immigration system, security scrutiny, in-person interview requirements, and document compliance check, as well as relationship verification, underscore immigration fraud and family linkage verification. The primary focus of these changes is to tighten the family immigration restrictions to include only those eligible.

You can find more details about these changes and their effect on the family-based immigration process on the USCIS Family-Based Immigration Page.

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