New U.S. Green Card Rule May Affect Applicants Living in the U.S.

New U.S. Green Card Rule Raises Concerns

Recently, U.S. authorities announced a new rule for green card applications. Under this policy, most foreign nationals must apply for permanent residency from their home country instead of applying while staying in the U.S.

As a result, immigration lawyers believe this change may cause delays and additional travel requirements for applicants.

What the New Policy Says

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now requires people on temporary visas such as student, work, or visitor visas to complete green card processing through U.S. embassies or consulates abroad.

However, officials may still allow some exceptions depending on individual cases.

In addition, USCIS says the policy aims to ensure the immigration system follows its intended legal process.

How It May Affect Applicants

Immigration experts expect longer processing times because of this change. In particular, applicants may need to travel back to their home countries for interviews and documentation.

Moreover, Canadians living in the U.S. may face delays since only a few consulates handle these applications.

For example, many applicants may need to use the Montreal consulate, which could face heavy backlogs.

Impact on Families and Professionals

In some cases, this policy may separate families during the application process. One partner may need to leave the U.S. temporarily to complete the green card process.

Similarly, business owners and workers may also need to pause their activities while completing overseas processing.

However, experts point out that Canadians may still face fewer challenges compared to applicants from distant countries due to easier travel access.

Expert Reactions

Meanwhile, immigration lawyers say they were surprised by the sudden change. They believe the policy could significantly affect current applicants.

In addition, experts say uncertainty remains around exemptions and how officers will apply the rule in different cases.

What Happens Next

At this stage, lawyers and immigration firms continue to monitor updates from U.S. authorities. They also expect more clarity on implementation soon.

Furthermore, they advise applicants to wait for official guidelines before making any decisions.

Key Message

Overall, the policy introduces new steps in the green card process. However, final outcomes will depend on how authorities implement the rules and what exceptions they allow.

Get in touch with SPS Global

Receive advice on any of your questions regarding immigration. Get in touch with us, experienced immigration consultants from SPS Global. For additional information, contact support@spscanada.com (Canada) or support.amd@spscanada.com (Ahmedabad), or by phone at (1) 905-362-9393 (Canada) or +919586226232 (Ahmedabad).