The Trump administration has announced a policy requiring visa holders seeking permanent residency (green cards) to return to their home countries for consular processing, rather than adjusting status within the United States. This reverses the long-standing option of adjustment of status, which allowed many visa holders to apply for permanent residency without leaving the country.
Immigration & Visas
Trump administration requires visa holders seeking permanent residency to return home
New policy mandates consular processing abroad for green card applicants, complicating paths to permanent status for many visa holders.
Green card applicants must now return home for consular processing, complicating the path to permanent residency.
The policy affects H-1B workers, L-1 visa holders, and others on temporary visas who were planning to transition to permanent residency. The practical impact: applicants must now leave the U.S., attend an interview at a U.S. consulate abroad, and wait for approval before re-entering. Processing times and interview availability vary by country. If you're on a temporary visa and considering a green card, consult an immigration attorney immediately to understand your options and timeline. This is a significant shift that could delay or complicate your path to permanent status.
Source: original report ↗
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