New US Green Card Policy: Five Major Changes Applicants Should Know

The United States has rolled out a significant immigration policy change that will require most green card applicants to complete the process outside the country, altering a system many immigrants previously used to apply while living in the US.

Below are five major points about the new policy:

1. Green card applicants will mostly have to leave the US

The new policy introduced by US Citizenship and Immigration Services requires most immigrants seeking permanent residency to apply through US embassies or consulates abroad instead of completing the process inside the country.

Officials said only applicants with “extraordinary circumstances” would be allowed to remain in the US while their applications are processed.

2. Authorities say the move targets a legal loophole

For years, many individuals on temporary visas were able to adjust their immigration status without leaving the United States. The government says the revised policy is meant to stop that practice and ensure applications follow standard immigration procedures.

3. International students, workers and visitors will be affected

The change applies to several categories of temporary visa holders, including students, tourists and foreign workers. Anyone in those groups seeking a green card will now generally need to leave the country and complete consular processing overseas.

4. Some applicants could still qualify for exemptions

USCIS noted that certain cases may still be processed within the US if they are considered important to the national interest or provide economic value. However, such waivers are expected to be uncommon and reviewed case by case.

5. Critics warn of delays and family disruption

Immigration advocates say the policy could create hardship for many families by forcing applicants to spend long periods outside the US while waiting for decisions. With more than one million green card applications reportedly pending, critics fear the changes could worsen uncertainty for lawful immigrants.

Meanwhile, the Department of Homeland Security maintains that the updated rules are intended to streamline the immigration system and bring it in line with existing laws.

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