Most people seeking green cards must now apply from outside US

May 23, 2026

The Trump administration has announced a significant change to green card application procedures, requiring most immigrants to leave the United States and apply through embassies or consulates abroad rather than adjusting their status while remaining in the country. The new USCIS policy eliminates what officials call a "loophole" that previously allowed visa holders, students, temporary workers, and tourists to pursue permanent residency without departing. This change affects over one million legal immigrants currently waiting for green card application approval and could separate families during the lengthy processing period that takes months to years.

Who is affected

Over one million legal immigrants currently waiting for approval on adjustment-of-status green card applications
Students, temporary workers, and people on tourist visas seeking green cards
Families of immigrants who will be separated during the application process
Hundreds of thousands of employers who sponsor immigrant workers
People who may have pending green card applications (status unclear)
Those who provide economic benefit or are otherwise in the national interest (may continue on current path)

What action is being taken

USCIS is implementing a new policy requiring most immigrants to apply for green cards through consular processing outside the country
Immigration officers are being directed to consider cases on an individual basis when determining whether someone warrants extraordinary relief
The policy is being rolled out with case-by-case evaluations

Why it matters

This policy represents a major shift in how legal immigration functions in the United States, significantly limiting pathways to permanent residency for people already in the country legally. The change affects the stability of hundreds of thousands of families and businesses that rely on the ability to adjust immigration status domestically, creating uncertainty for people who followed existing legal procedures. The policy also has practical consequences, as leaving the country risks triggering re-entry bans of up to 10 years for those who may have overstayed visas, potentially making it impossible for some applicants to return even if approved.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC