US Tightens Immigration Rules for Visa and Green Card Applications

Key facts

• The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) now allows immediate denial of incomplete visa and green card applications without issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).
• The revised guidance took effect on August 5, 2026, and applies to pending or newly filed immigration benefit requests.
• Under the new rule, immigration officers have discretion to reject applications that do not establish eligibility at the time of filing, though they may still request additional evidence in some cases.
• The policy is expected to affect thousands of Indian applicants for student visas, employment-based visas, family-sponsored green cards, and citizenship.
• USCIS stated the change aligns with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regulatory authority and aims to reduce placeholder applications and improve processing times.