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Immigration & Visas

USCIS Adopts Stricter Rules for Immigration Applications

US immigration officials now have more power to reject visa and green card applications outright, without requesting additional information.

Image: Seasoned Expat

USCIS has adopted new policy guidance that gives immigration officers broad discretion to deny visa and green card applications without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE). Previously, applicants could expect a chance to fix missing or unclear information. That safety net is shrinking.

Under the new rules, if your application is incomplete or doesn't clearly meet requirements, USCIS can reject it on the first review. There's no automatic second chance. This affects all visa categories—H-1B, L-1, EB green cards, family-based petitions—and applies to both initial filings and renewals.

Incomplete applications can now be rejected without a chance to fix them.

What to do: triple-check your application before submitting. Every field must be completed; every required document must be included. If you're working with an immigration attorney, now is the time to hire one. If you're filing yourself, use the official USCIS checklist and have someone else review your packet for gaps. Once denied, you'll have to refile and pay fees again. Accuracy on the first submission is no longer optional.

Source: original report ↗

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