The State Department is now allowing most green-card applicants to adjust status while remaining in the US, reversing a policy that forced many to leave the country during processing.
The US State Department has shifted its green-card processing rules to allow most applicants to adjust their immigration status without leaving the United States. Previously, many applicants were required to complete consular processing abroad, a step that forced them to depart the country and apply from their home nation or a third country.
This change affects anyone seeking permanent residency through employment, family sponsorship, or diversity visa channels. If you're already in the US on a valid visa (H-1B, L-1, student visa, or other status), you can now file for adjustment of status with USCIS without the consular interview step that previously required departure.
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You can now adjust status while in the US instead of leaving to complete processing abroad.
The practical effect: fewer disruptions to work and life while your green card processes. You'll still need to pass background checks and medical exams, but you can do so while staying put. Check with your immigration attorney about whether your specific category qualifies—some applicants may still need consular processing depending on their visa history or country of origin.
Source: original report ↗
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