The United States is implementing a new set of measures that make green card (permanent residence) applications more difficult as of July 2026. According to a report by Newsweek magazine, steps are being taken within the framework of the Trump administration's immigration policies, including restrictions on visa categories, stricter application reviews, and expanded authority to deny applications due to administrative errors.
According to the US State Department's July 2026 visa bulletin, EB-2 work visa applications, particularly from India, and some EB-5 investor visa categories have been closed to new applications due to annual quotas being filled. No new approvals in these categories will be issued until October 2026, when the next fiscal year begins.
Under a temporary policy taking effect on July 10, immigration officials at the US Department of Homeland Security will be given the authority to deny or revoke applications if the application form does not contain a correct signature, even if the application was initially accepted. Newsweek notes that applicants may therefore lose the fees they paid and have to restart the entire process.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is applying a stricter schedule for processing applications, using 'final action dates' as the basis for status adjustment requests. This limits the number of people who can currently apply.
A directive published in May emphasized that a status adjustment application for a green card is a 'discretionary process' and that meeting the legal requirements does not automatically entitle an applicant to relief. Immigration officers will be required to evaluate each case individually and consider factors beyond the basic requirements. Experts say this will increase uncertainty and tighten scrutiny over applications.
Newsweek highlights that these restrictions come at a time when the US immigration system is facing a growing backlog of applications and intense demand. It is stated that the current restrictions will remain in place until September 30, 2026, during which applicants will face longer waiting times, fewer visa slots, and stricter procedural enforcement.
