US Tightens Green Card Rules, Requires Applicants to Apply from Abroad

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The administration of President Donald Trump has announced new restrictions on obtaining a green card, the document that grants permanent residency in the United States.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that most foreign nationals seeking permanent resident status will now be required to submit their applications from outside the United States.

Under the new rules, individuals temporarily staying in the country on student, tourist, or work visas will no longer be able to apply for a green card while remaining in the United States under standard procedures.

USCIS spokesperson Zak Culler explained that applicants will be required to return to their country of origin to file their applications, with exceptions only in cases of extraordinary circumstances.

According to The Washington Post, more than one million green cards are issued annually in the United States, and previously more than half of applicants applied while already inside the country.

The new measures are part of a broader immigration policy aimed at tightening border and residency controls and reducing both illegal and certain legal migration channels.

U.S. authorities argue that the reform is intended to reduce cases in which applicants remain in the country illegally after their applications are denied, placing additional pressure on immigration enforcement and deportation systems.

Officials from USCIS emphasize that non-immigrant visas — including student, tourist, and temporary work visas — are intended strictly for limited stays and specific purposes.

Experts suggest that the new restrictions could significantly affect international students, skilled professionals, and temporary workers who previously relied on adjusting their immigration status within the United States.

Analysts also note that the policy reflects a continued focus by the Trump administration on stricter immigration control, with efforts to curb unauthorized migration remaining a key domestic priority.

At the same time, human rights organizations and segments of U.S. society have previously criticized such restrictive immigration measures, citing potential humanitarian and social consequences.