Married Couples Face Key Green Card Deadline In September

A green card is like a special ticket that lets someone live in the United States.

Some people who have green cards are married, and their husbands or wives want to live with them in America.

Right now, the US government has opened a bigger window so more of these spouses can apply for their own permission to stay.

Normally, they had to wait a very long time, but now the wait has been shortened by about a year and a half for many countries.

There is an important date to remember: September 18.

After that day, new rules start that let immigration officers look more closely at a person's money and life situation.

Also, everyone will need to use a new application form, and the old form might be thrown away.

The government says the open window might not stay open for long, and the dates could move back.

So couples are being told to apply soon, but to make sure their applications are complete and correct.

It is a bit like handing in a homework assignment early on — better to do it right than to rush and make mistakes.