USCIS Forcing Green Card Applicants to Consular Interview 2026: No More Adjustment of Status

In a major policy shift, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that adjustment of status (AOS) applications will only be approved in extraordinary circumstances going forward. This effectively ends the ability for most immigrants to finalize their green card while remaining inside the United States, regardless of how they entered the country. The change is particularly significant for individuals who entered the U.S. legally but subsequently overstayed their visa. Previously, legal entry was a key eligibility factor for filing Form I-485 (Application to Register Permanent Residence). Under the new policy, these applicants will be required to depart and complete the immigrant visa process at a U.S. consulate abroad. For EB-3 applicants, this represents a substantial procedural change. Those who have already filed an I-485 and are awaiting approval, or those planning to file soon, should consult with an immigration attorney immediately to assess how this policy affects their case and timeline. Consular processing typically adds several months to the overall green card timeline. The USCIS announcement references only 'extraordinary circumstances' as exceptions, though the agency has not yet published detailed guidance on what qualifies. Applicants with pending adjustment of status cases are advised to monitor USCIS updates closely and avoid international travel until their legal options are clarified. This policy aligns with broader enforcement priorities and represents one of the most impactful procedural changes for green card applicants in recent years. EB-3 petitioners should plan for the possibility of consular processing as the new default path to permanent residency.