A new U.S. policy requires most foreign green-card applicants to apply for permanent residency from their home country [1, 2, 3].
This change creates a significant hurdle for Canadians currently living and working in the U.S. who are seeking permanent residency. By removing the ability to adjust status from within the country, the policy threatens the stability of thousands of legal residents.
A Canadian immigration lawyer said the rule specifically impacts those who have previously been able to transition to permanent residency without leaving the U.S. [1, 3]. Under the new guidelines, applicants must return to their country of origin to complete the process [1, 2, 3].
This shift is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten control over green-card processing [2, 4]. The requirement to apply from abroad could lead to prolonged waiting periods, and administrative delays for those attempting to secure their legal status.
According to reporting, hundreds of thousands of visa holders could be forced to leave the United States to apply for permanent residency [5]. For many Canadians, this means abandoning their current residences, jobs, and community ties to wait for government approval in Canada.
The policy effectively eliminates the internal application process for the majority of foreign nationals [2]. This shift places the burden of travel and relocation on the applicant, regardless of their current legal standing or length of residency in the U.S. [1, 3].
“Hundreds of thousands of visa holders could be forced to leave the United States”
This policy shift represents a move toward more restrictive immigration enforcement by prioritizing consular processing over domestic status adjustments. For Canadian professionals and families, it introduces significant economic and personal risk, as leaving the U.S. to apply for a green card may result in the loss of employment or a failure to re-enter the country if the application is delayed or denied.
