USA Changed the Green Card Application Process

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has made significant changes to the visa and Green Card application process for foreign nationals. Under the updated requirements, filing a Green Card application while physically present on U.S. territory is no longer permitted. Applicants are now required to travel to their country of citizenship and apply at a United States diplomatic mission.

The relevant information was published by USCIS.

The agency explained that processing applications through consulates in countries of origin will reduce the number of situations in which foreign nationals, after being denied a residence permit, attempt to remain illegally in the United States. This, in turn, will reduce the need for search operations and deportation proceedings.

Additionally, the announcement emphasized that holders of nonimmigrant visas — including students, temporary workers, and tourists — arrive in the United States for a strictly defined period and with a specific purpose, and are required to leave the country upon its expiration.

Nevertheless, in practice, some of these individuals initiate immigration proceedings after entering the United States. The introduced changes are aimed at curbing this practice.