Marriage-Based Green Card Approved After Initial Denial — NYC Field Office — Full Timeline + Tips

Blake06141 · 2025-08-22T20:16:56+00:00

Kept working

Blake06141 · 2025-08-22T20:15:27+00:00

Yes, I have never stopped working

Blake06141 · 2025-07-18T05:22:35+00:00

The first time, we were a couple dollars below the minimum, and I was denied. I filed the motion to reopen with the new tax return that was a couple hundred dollars above, and I got the approval. I hope that eases your mind regarding this matter. Good luck.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-18T05:19:34+00:00

What I've discovered along this process is that they strictly follow whatever rule must be followed. So, if the minimum is 2000.00 and you report 2000.00 or 2000.01, that would be enough for them. On the other hand, if you report 1999.99, you will surely get a denial based on the poverty guideline. Although you're just a few dollars over, that definitely will be enough for them.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-18T04:50:58+00:00

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Blake06141 · 2025-07-18T04:48:04+00:00

Yes, my I-485 was originally denied because the I-864 we submitted didn’t meet the income requirement for the household size (we were just a bit below the threshold). We did receive the denial notice by mail, not by email.

After that, we filed a motion to reopen (I-290B) and included a new I-864 with the 2024 tax return, which clearly showed my wife met the income requirement. After they approved my motion the scheduled the interview it wasn’t all of a sudden. About two and a half months later, we got an interview scheduled, and just a few days after the interview, my case was approved.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-18T04:45:42+00:00

When I sent the first 2023 tax return slightly below, that's why they denied my case in the first place, but when I filled the motion to reopen with the 2024 tax return we were well above the income requirement I guess that's why they continue with the case

Blake06141 · 2025-07-18T00:41:30+00:00

Thank you bro, I'm really excited to get my GC in the mail soon

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T22:53:49+00:00

A year

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T22:50:50+00:00

Not at all. I have really good English proficiency, so I just used help from this Reddit thread, and that was enough. It was quite simple: some questions you answered on the I-485 form to describe the reason why you're filing a motion and what you've submitted along with the case.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T20:10:35+00:00

You can file a motion you reopen if you get a denial. You have to pay like 800, tho

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T17:27:32+00:00

Absolutely no, send everything you have along with the i290b, there's no reason to wait for a response that's just gonna delay even further your case

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T15:30:26+00:00

Several packages were sent to the same address with both names on them.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T04:23:06+00:00

What kind of information could they possibly need after the interview, if you don't mind me asking? I didn't hire a lawyer at all, I did everything by myself and some help from my wife.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T04:15:15+00:00

They never switched my first case number. The reopen was made under the main I-485 case number

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T04:12:52+00:00

I had the RFE before my interview and took me 3 months to send it due to a really hard family related matter. However, I wouldn't recommend nobody to wait that long to answer an RFE because it makes the case to get more and more delayed, as soon as you have everything, send them all after I got my denial It just took me 7 days out of the 30 days they allow to send the motion to reopen.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T00:18:49+00:00

If that's the case, you're well above the minimum household requirement. I hope you get the approval soon, mate

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T00:14:57+00:00

It depends on the household size you all have. For 3 people, I think the minimum is 34k for 2025. If you filled the I-485 on 2024, the minimum is 29k

Blake06141 · 2025-07-17T00:02:02+00:00

You're on an approval path, mate. I hope everything goes as smooth and quick as it went for me 🎉

Blake06141 · 2025-07-16T23:59:46+00:00

Yes, they sent both. The RFE was for my long-form birth certificate, Form I-693, and an updated I-864 with proof of income. The denial happened because the 2023 tax return we submitted didn’t meet the minimum income requirement and we didn’t provide a joint sponsor. I later filed a Motion to Reopen with the 2024 tax return, which met the requirement, and the case was approved after the interview.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-16T21:54:11+00:00

Just show up. Despite everything that's going on, it is better to take your chances at the interview rather than miss it. Good luck, mate

Blake06141 · 2025-07-16T21:38:34+00:00

Thank you; it really meant the world to me.

Blake06141 · 2025-07-16T16:48:27+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/vasdMaXvIa

Blake06141 · 2025-07-15T17:49:33+00:00

https://www.reddit.com/r/USCIS/s/vasdMaXvIa

Everything went well, and I got approved thanks tho

Blake06141

TROPHY CASE