USCIS mandates most temporary‑visa holders seek green cards from abroad

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a new policy on 22 May 2026 that requires most foreign nationals in the United States on temporary visas – including students, seasonal workers and tourists – to file their permanent‑residence (green‑card) applications at U.S. consulates in their home countries. The rule limits adjustment‑of‑status filings inside the United States to “extraordinary circumstances” and a narrow set of humanitarian cases, while still allowing limited exceptions for certain double‑intent visas such as H‑1B.

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said, “A foreigner who is temporarily in the United States and wishes to obtain a permanent resident card must return to their country of origin to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances.” The agency argues the change restores the original interpretation of immigration law, reduces the risk of unlawful stay after a denial, and frees USCIS resources for other priorities. Critics warn that hundreds of thousands of families and workers could face uncertainty, longer processing times and the need to leave the country while their applications proceed.

The policy is part of the broader Trump administration’s tighter immigration agenda, which has already introduced travel bans, visa suspensions and increased fraud detection efforts.