Planning To Apply For A Green Card? New US Rules May Require You To Go Back To Your Home Country First

Key Takeaways

• Planning To Apply For A Green Card?
• New US Rules May Require You To Go Back To Your Home Country First Published By, Last Updated: May 23, 2026, 07:13 IST The decision represents a significant shift from the previous system, which allowed many eligible applicants to seek permanent residency from within the United States.
• Immigration officers would assess applications individually and consider all relevant circumstances before making a decision (AI-generated image used for representation) The United States government has introduced a major shift in its immigration policy that will significantly affect foreign nationals living in the country on temporary visas.
• Under the new rules issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), most people staying in the US on student, tourist or work visas will now have to return to their home countries to apply for permanent residency or a Green Card.
• The move marks a major change from the earlier system, under which many applicants could apply for permanent residency without leaving the US through a process known as Adjustment of Status (AOS).