Most Green Card Applicants Will Need to Apply From Home Country Under New Policy

A federal official said the policy is intended to close a loophole that allowed foreign nationals to stay in the United States after their visas expired.

A visa stamp on a foreign passport in Los Angeles on June 6, 2020. Chris Delmas/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) adjusted its policy on May 22 to require immigrants seeking green cards to apply in their home country.

“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly,” USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler said in a statement.