US Introduces Stricter Green Card Screening Rules for Immigrants

The United States is set to tighten its screening process for some green card applicants from September 18, 2026, with immigration authorities introducing a stricter assessment of whether applicants could become dependent on government assistance.

The new policy, issued by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, will guide officers in determining whether an immigrant seeking lawful permanent residency is likely to become a “public charge.”
Under the revised guidelines, USCIS officers will assess applicants based on several factors, including age, health, family circumstances, financial resources, assets, education and professional skills.

The agency said applications will be reviewed individually, with officers considering the totality of each applicant’s circumstances rather than making decisions based on a single factor.

USCIS will also consider an applicant’s history of receiving certain means-tested public benefits.

The range of benefits considered will be broader for assistance received on or after September 18, 2026.

The changes follow a final rule issued by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security that repeals the 2022 public charge regulation.

The rule was published in the Federal Register on July 20 and is scheduled to take effect on September 18.

According to USCIS, the new approach is designed to reinforce the expectation that immigrants should be financially self-sufficient and should not primarily depend on taxpayer-funded government assistance.

However, the revised requirements will not apply to all green card applicants. Certain categories of immigrants, including refugees and asylees, some victims of human trafficking and qualifying crimes, special immigrant juveniles and certain Violence Against Women Act applicants, remain exempt.

USCIS will also continue its public charge bond system.

Applicants who are found inadmissible solely because they are considered likely to become a public charge may be given an opportunity to provide a financial bond.

The agency said the amount of the bond could be influenced by the government benefits an applicant may qualify for and potentially receive over the next five years.

The new rules are expected to place greater emphasis on applicants’ financial stability and ability to support themselves after obtaining permanent residency.

Prospective applicants may therefore need to provide stronger evidence of their income, assets, employment prospects and other financial resources when submitting their applications.

The new guidance will apply to Form I-485 applications subject to the public charge requirement that are postmarked or electronically submitted from September 18, 2026.

USCIS stressed that the determination will be based on an applicant’s overall circumstances and not on one individual factor.

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