The Trump administration has announced that non-immigrant visa holders in the US will no longer be able to adjust status to permanent residency while in the country. Instead, they must return to their home country to apply for a green card through consular processing. This reverses a long-standing practice that allowed many visa holders—including H-1B, L-1, and others—to file for green cards without leaving the US.
Immigration & Visas
Trump administration requires visa holders to apply for green cards from abroad
The US is ending the practice of allowing certain visa holders to adjust status while in the country; they must now return home to apply for a green card.
Adjustment of status from within the US is no longer available; green card applicants must now process through their home country.
If you're on a non-immigrant visa and pursuing permanent residency, this is a significant change. You'll now need to leave the US, attend a consular interview, and wait for approval before returning. This can mean months or years outside the country and disruption to employment and family. Consult an immigration attorney immediately to understand your options and timeline. Some visa categories or circumstances may have exceptions, and the policy may face legal challenges.
Source: original report ↗
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