US Green Card Seekers Must Leave The Country Now, Re-Enter With Immigrant Visa

The United States has introduced a sweeping changes to immigration policy that will require most foreign nationals seeking permanent residency to leave the country and complete their green card applications through US embassies or consulates abroad.

In a policy announcement issued on Friday, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said applicants requesting a change of immigration status will generally no longer be allowed to complete the process while remaining inside the US, except under "extraordinary circumstances".

The measure is part of the Trump administration's broader push to tighten immigration controls and reduce what it describes as misuse of the legal immigration system. Under the new framework, individuals in the US on temporary visas - including students, tourists and H-1B workers - will typically be required to return to their home countries for consular processing before receiving lawful permanent residency.

USCIS said the previous system enabled some applicants to remain in the country even after visa expirations while awaiting green card decisions. Officials argued that overseas processing would discourage people from overstaying visas or remaining in the US unlawfully after denial of residency applications.

"The era of abusing our nation's immigration system is over," the Department of Homeland Security wrote on X, adding that the administration was restoring the "original intent" of immigration law.

USCIS spokesperson Zach Kahler said the revised policy is intended to prevent temporary visits to the US from becoming an unofficial first step toward permanent residency. According to him, requiring applicants to apply from abroad would make the system "fairer and more efficient".

Immigration advocates, however, warned that the policy could separate families for extended periods and create serious risks for applicants who leave the US but are later denied re-entry. Critics say the earlier adjustment-of-status process allowed families to remain together during long waiting periods that can stretch for years.

The government has not clarified whether existing green card applications already in progress will be affected. USCIS told the BBC that individuals whose applications provide economic value or serve the national interest may still be allowed to continue under the current process, while others could be directed to apply from overseas depending on their circumstances.

A green card grants lawful permanent residency, allowing foreign nationals to live and work indefinitely in the United States. The process is often lengthy, with waits ranging from several months to many years.

The policy shift could have major implications for Indian H-1B professionals, many of whom have spent years navigating employment-based green card backlogs. For thousands already nearing the final stages of the process, the requirement to leave the US for consular processing adds a new layer of uncertainty after years of waiting.