US introduces new rule for Green Card applicants

The United States has introduced a new regulation requiring most non-immigrant visa holders seeking permanent residency (Green Card) to apply from outside the country through US embassies, according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

In a statement issued Friday, USCIS said foreign nationals who wish to obtain permanent residency in the United States must now pursue the “consular processing” route via the US State Department in their home countries, instead of applying while staying in the US.

The agency said the decision aligns with US immigration law and recent court rulings, and allows officers to assess each application individually based on relevant facts and eligibility criteria.

Previously, many visa holders—such as students, tourists, and temporary workers—could apply for a Green Card from within the US through a process known as “adjustment of status,” which was widely used and considered more accessible.

Under the revised system, applicants will generally be required to return to their home countries to complete the process through US consular offices.

USCIS has described the updated framework as an “extraordinary form of relief” mechanism under specific legal conditions.

The move comes amid a broader tightening of immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s second term, during which deportation operations have been expanded and visa restrictions increased across multiple countries.

Immigration analysts say the change is aimed at reducing overstays and tightening control over long-term residency pathways.

Source: AFP