The Trump administration has issued a new rule that requires foreigners currently inside the United States to apply for their green cards from abroad, according to a PBS report on the policy change.

The rule reverses long-standing practice. Until now, many foreign nationals already living in the United States could apply for lawful permanent residence — the green card — without leaving the country. Under the new requirement, those applicants must depart the United States and pursue the process through a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas.

Who is affected

The change targets foreign nationals who are physically present in the United States and who previously would have filed for adjustment of status from within the country. Instead of completing the application steps at home, they must now expect to travel abroad to continue or complete their green card processing.

The rule comes from the Trump administration and reflects a broader effort to tighten the pathways by which people transition from temporary presence in the United States to permanent residence.

What changes in practice

Under the previous system, an applicant already in the United States could typically submit a petition, attend a biometrics appointment, and complete an interview while remaining in the country. The new directive shifts that final pathway overseas.

Applicants should now anticipate that the residence application itself must be handled from outside the United States. Anyone currently in the middle of the process, or planning to begin one, should verify how the rule applies to their specific case before making travel plans.

Why it matters

For foreign nationals living and working in the United States, the requirement to leave the country introduces new complications. Departing the United States can affect employment authorization, family arrangements, and the timeline for returning. Processing times at overseas consular posts also vary by country, and applicants may face extended waits abroad before they can re-enter with permanent resident status.

Immigration advocates and attorneys have raised concerns that the rule could disrupt the lives of applicants who built their expectations around the domestic adjustment process. The administration, for its part, frames the change as part of its enforcement-first approach to immigration.

What affected applicants should do

Because the rule changes where — not whether — a green card application proceeds, affected foreign nationals should confirm the details of the requirement through official channels. The governing policy text and implementation guidance, as published by the administration and reported by PBS, form the authoritative basis for how the rule takes effect and whom it covers.

Readers should rely on the official federal notice and guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and the Department of State for the exact filing procedures, eligibility terms, and any deadlines that apply to individual circumstances.

This article summarizes the reported policy change and does not constitute legal advice for any individual case. Applicants with pending or planned green card filings should consult a licensed immigration attorney or accredited representative before taking any action, including leaving the United States.

Passport File will continue to track the rule's implementation and its practical impact on applicants as further official guidance becomes available.