Thousands of Indians hoping to settle permanently in the United States may now face a major setback.
The US government has introduced a new immigration rule that could make the green card process much more difficult for foreign nationals.
Under the new rule announced by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), foreign citizens will no longer be allowed to stay in the US while their green card application is being processed in most cases.
This decision is expected to directly impact international students, H-1B visa holders, and many skilled professionals from India.
What Has Changed in the Green Card Process?
Earlier, many people living in the US on temporary visas could apply for a green card without leaving the country.
They were allowed to stay in America until a final decision was made.
But now, that process is changing.
According to the new USCIS policy, applicants will have to return to their home country and apply for an immigrant visa from there.
Staying in the US during the full green card process will only be allowed in “very extraordinary circumstances.”
USCIS spokesperson Jack Kahler said the government wants foreign nationals to follow the immigration system “properly” and that the rule is meant to restore the “true purpose of the law.”
Students and H-1B Visa Holders May Face the Biggest Impact
The new rule could create serious problems for international students and professionals working in the US on H-1B visas.
Many of them were planning to convert their temporary visa status into permanent residency without leaving America.
Now, they may have to leave the country in the middle of the process and apply again from India or their home nation.
Immigration officials have also been instructed to investigate every case more strictly.
According to the new policy memo, changing visa status inside the US will no longer be treated as a normal process.
US Government Says Immigration System Was Being Misused
The US Department of Homeland Security defended the decision on social media, saying the new policy will stop people from using loopholes and “backdoors” in the immigration system.
The department stated that foreign nationals seeking green cards must now follow the legal immigration process from their home countries.
Officials also claimed that the “era of misuse” of the US immigration system is now over.
Why This Matters for Indians
This move could have a huge impact on Indian immigrants because Indians are among the largest groups applying for green cards and US citizenship every year.
According to official data, nearly 49,700 Indian-origin immigrants became US citizens through the green card process in fiscal year 2024.
Indians were the second-largest group after Mexicans and made up 6.1% of all new US citizens.
With the new rule in place, the journey to permanent residency in America may now become longer, more expensive, and more uncertain for thousands of Indian families.
