On May 22, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a memo changing how most foreigners can apply for green cards. Under the new policy, applicants must return to their home country
and apply through a U.S. consulate instead of filing from inside the United States.
The agency said it will only grant green cards from within the U.S. in “extraordinary circumstances.” Refugees are not subject to the new rule. USCIS has indicated that people who provide an economic
benefit or are “in the national interest” may continue on their current path, though it has not clarified which categories qualify.
The change is expected to affect hundreds of thousands of people, including:
- Students on temporary visas hoping to adjust status
- Spouses of U.S. citizens applying for residency from inside the country
- Foreign workers across many visa categories
Consular processing from abroad typically takes months or longer. Immigration attorneys warn that families may be separated for extended periods while applications are decided. Legal challenges to the memo
are expected.
As of this post, key details, including the full list of exceptions and the exact effective date, remain unclear.