The United States government has directed Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking permanent residency to return to their home countries to complete their green card applications.
The new directive was announced on Friday by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which said the policy is intended to restore what it described as the “original intent” of America’s immigration laws.
According to the agency, foreigners already staying temporarily in the United States will no longer be allowed to complete most green card applications from within the country, except under extraordinary circumstances.
USCIS spokesman Zach Kahler explained that the move is aimed at reducing the number of migrants who remain in the United States illegally after their residency applications are denied.
“We’re returning to the original intent of the law to ensure aliens navigate our nation’s immigration system properly,” the agency stated.
The statement further noted that any foreign national in the U.S. on temporary status who intends to obtain a green card must now leave the country and apply through American consular offices in their home nations under the supervision of the US Department of State.
“From now on, an alien who is in the U.S. temporarily and wants a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in extraordinary circumstances,” USCIS said.
Kahler maintained that the adjustment would help close immigration loopholes and strengthen compliance with US immigration laws.
“This policy allows our immigration system to function as the law intended instead of incentivising loopholes,” he said.
“When aliens apply from their home country, it reduces the need to find and remove those who decide to slip into the shadows and remain in the U.S. illegally after being denied residency.”
The agency clarified that the new rule would mainly affect individuals who entered the United States on nonimmigrant visas, including students, tourists and temporary workers.
According to USCIS, such visas are designed strictly for short-term visits and specific purposes, not as pathways to permanent residency.
“Nonimmigrants, like students, temporary workers, or people on tourist visas, come to the U.S. for a short time and for a specific purpose,” the statement added.
“Our system is designed for them to leave when their visit is over. Their visit should not function as the first step in the Green Card process.”
USCIS also argued that shifting residency applications to consular offices abroad would allow the agency to better manage its limited resources and focus on more urgent immigration responsibilities.
The agency said the change would free up personnel and resources for cases involving victims of violent crimes, human trafficking matters, naturalisation requests and other immigration services.
“The law was written this way for a reason,” the statement said. “Despite the fact that it has been ignored for years, following it will help make our system fairer and more efficient.”
The latest development follows earlier immigration restrictions introduced by former US President Donald Trump.
In December 2025, the Trump administration temporarily suspended the processing of green card and citizenship applications filed by Nigerians and citizens of other countries affected by the U.S. travel ban, according to reports by CBS News.
The suspension reportedly affected legal immigration applications handled by USCIS, especially those involving immigrants from selected African and Asian countries.
Many of the affected applicants were already residing legally in the United States and were attempting to adjust their immigration status or become American citizens.
The administration had also directed USCIS to freeze immigration petitions, including applications for permanent residency and citizenship, from nationals of 19 countries listed under the expanded travel ban announced in June.
