From Uncertainty to Confidence: A Green Card Journey The Story of a Client Who Went Through the Marriage-Based Green Card Process
For many couples, the marriage-based Green Card process in the United States is not just a legal application -it is a life test that demands patience, emotional resilience, and the ability to live with uncertainty. In this interview, one of our clients, who successfully completed the process and attended their interview in Cleveland in October 2025, shares their personal experience and the transformation this journey brought to their life. The client speaks anonymously.
Before starting the Green Card process, how would you describe your life in the U.S.?
Honestly, I always felt like I was in limbo. I wasn’t fully here, but I didn’t feel like I truly belonged anywhere either. I couldn’t work, I couldn’t make plans. I didn’t have the rights that come with having a Green Card. Every morning I woke up asking myself, “What’s going to happen today? What can I realistically plan for the future?” There was a constant sense of anxiety and uncertainty.
What worried you the most during this process?
The uncertainty. How long I could stay, when things would become clear, how I would build my life going forward -none of these questions had clear answers. I was constantly trying to plan, but there was no solid ground to plan on. That really wears a person down.
How did your marriage affect your life during this time?
Meeting my spouse was a major turning point in my life. I’m not a very social person; not many people come into my life. But after meeting them, I changed a lot -both personally and emotionally. I had never shared such a long-term, two-person life before. She gave me a completely new perspective. When someone starts changing you in a positive way, you feel that you’re in the right place. Love isn’t a choice, but sometimes it transforms your entire life from top to bottom.
Did coming from two different cultures make things more difficult?
Absolutely. I’m from Turkey, and the culture here is very different. Not just in marriage, but even in daily life, communication between people is different. Shopping, talking to people -everything was difficult at first. Going through that transition together made everything much easier. Sometimes we even say to each other, “We’ve only been married a short time, but it feels like we’ve been married for ten years.”
What was the most challenging part of preparing for the application?
The hardest part was the uncertainty. The more I researched, the more stressed I became, because everyone was saying something different. One question had dozens of answers. Everyone presented their own experience as if it were the absolute truth. That can really mislead you. At that point, we decided we needed professional support. We found Okanlaw through research. Once it became clear how to gather documents and how to move forward, my stress level dropped significantly.
How long did the document collection process take?
It took a while, but that turned out to be a good thing for us. We realized how many memories we had accumulated. We traveled a lot, spent time with family. All of that turned into documentation. While collecting documents, there were many moments where we said, “I’m so glad we lived this.” We didn’t rush anything; we did it thoughtfully and with care.
“Every sunset is a promise of the next sunrise, and every sunset carries the seed of the sun that will follow. That’s how our story began. We watched many sunsets, but with every new sunrise, we accomplished so much. Hope, patience, and effort are lifelong companions.”
What was interview day like?
Honestly, we were even more stressed than during the filing process. We were very nervous on the way to the interview. We had a prep session with our attorney, but you still think about what you’ve heard -other people’s experiences, denials, intense questioning. But the interview was very calm. They asked security questions, our names, dates of birth, family information. The officer said “Everything looks very good” a few times. Then they said, “Congratulations, I’m approving your case.” The interview lasted about ten minutes. It was smooth, low-stress, and far more comfortable than we expected.
Was there anything you included as evidence that you later thought, “I’m so glad we added this”?
I’m a detail-oriented person. I even included photos of things I did around the house. Family photos, visits, small moments… Those details really strengthened the file. Looking back, I thought, “I’m glad we were this careful.”
Did you ever lose motivation?
Yes. The waiting period after filing is tough. At some point, I started thinking, “Have we been waiting too long? Is something wrong?” But my spouse always told me, “We love each other, we’ve shared so much. If necessary, we can say we lived a year’s worth of memories in one month.” Her family’s support was also huge. I learned patience through this process.
At what point did the support from Okanlaw make you feel the most at ease?
The support I received from the Okanlaw team reassured me at almost every stage of the process. To be honest, I had heard a lot of comments like, “Once you apply, you’ll never be able to reach your lawyer again.” I realized this was a common perception in immigration cases. But at Okanlaw, every email I sent was answered the same day. Sometimes I had even forgotten the question I asked -the answer had already arrived. I never hesitated to ask even the smallest details, and I never encountered a negative attitude because of it. The team always approached everything with the same patience and professionalism. That made me truly feel that the process was moving forward safely. I feel very lucky and very grateful.
Some friends I spoke to during the immigration process asked, “Why didn’t you do it yourself?” Yes, some people can handle this process on their own. But I’m not someone who leaves things to chance. I consciously chose professional support, and looking back today, I can clearly see how right that decision was. I confidently share my experience with anyone looking for guidance, because I genuinely believe you get far more than your money’s worth.
One of the things that impressed me the most was your overall perspective. On social media and in your newsletters, you don’t just share legal information -you share things that are genuinely useful in daily life and make people feel less alone. This process isn’t just about preparing a clean file and mailing it out; connecting with people really matters. I’m a bit detail-oriented and emotional. I care about nuance. Working with a team that could feel and respect that sensitivity was incredibly valuable to me. Beyond money, office space, or appearances, trust, understanding, and a humane approach were what mattered most to me. When I shared my difficulties, being told “We’ll support you in every way” meant a lot.
If you could say one sentence to those who are just starting this process today, what would it be?
Everyone’s story is different, and everything happens in its own time. Don’t give up—move forward with steady steps and definitely seek professional support while pursuing your dreams.
If you had to describe the process and the outcome in one word?
Magical. Truly. So many things in my life fell into place at the same time. Sometimes, things really do require time. I want to emphasize again how important your perspective at Okanlaw is. On social media, you share practical guidance like what to do if you end up in a hospital or have an accident. That kind of social support really helps. I love your monthly newsletters—what you write there genuinely resonates with me. That’s how you truly connect with people. It’s not just about packaging a file well and mailing it. Being able to touch people’s lives matters. I’m an emotional person; I love details. A team that can do this is clearly doing their job with integrity. Those are my criteria.
Note: This story is based on our client’s personal experience. Applications, processes, and outcomes may vary depending on the individual and the case.