US Tightens Green Card Rules, Foreign Visa Holders Must Apply from Abroad
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a major policy change that will require most foreign nationals seeking permanent residency to apply for green cards from outside the US, limiting the long-standing “adjustment of status” option for those already in the country on temporary visas.
Under the new guidelines, applicants currently in the US on student, tourist, or temporary work visas will generally need to complete their green card processing through US consulates abroad. Adjustment of status applications filed within the US will now be approved only in “extraordinary circumstances” and reviewed individually.
USCIS officials say the policy aims to reinforce the proper visa process and ensure applicants adhere to the conditions of their temporary stay. Immigration officers will also review whether applicants’ activities in the US align with the purpose of their visa or parole status.
The change has raised concerns among immigration advocates, who warn that it could lead to prolonged family separations, especially for spouses of US citizens and applicants with US-born children. Delays at overseas consulates may further extend the process.
This policy represents one of the most significant shifts in employment- and family-based immigration processing in recent years and is expected to face both legal challenges and political scrutiny.
