The United States will tighten its assessment of the public charge requirement for certain green card applicants from September 18, 2026, following updated guidance issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The updated guidance explains how USCIS officers will determine whether an immigrant seeking to adjust status to lawful permanent residence is likely at any time to become a public charge.
A public charge generally refers to an immigrant considered likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance for support.
Under the new approach, officers will assess five statutory factors: the applicant’s age, health, family status, assets, resources and financial status, as well as education and skills. USCIS said officers will review all relevant evidence and make decisions based on the totality of each applicant’s circumstances.
“USCIS will review all relevant evidence in an alien’s record and make case-by-case decisions in the totality of the alien’s circumstances,” the agency said.
Officers may also consider other relevant factors, including an applicant’s receipt of means-tested public benefits.
For benefits received before September 18, 2026, USCIS will consider public cash assistance for income maintenance and long-term institutionalisation at government expense.
For benefits received on or after September 18, the agency will consider a broader range of means-tested benefits.
The changes follow a Department of Homeland Security final rule rescinding 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.
USCIS said the updated approach reflects congressional intent that immigrants remain self-sufficient and do not depend on taxpayer-funded government benefits. The agency has previously described self-sufficiency as a longstanding principle of US immigration policy.
Some Green Card Applicants Exempt
The public charge requirement does not apply to all green card applicants.
USCIS maintains exemptions for several categories, including refugees and asylees, certain victims of human trafficking and qualifying criminal activity, special immigrant juveniles and certain Violence Against Women Act self-petitioners.
The agency will also continue its public charge bond process. Where an officer finds an applicant inadmissible solely because the person is likely to become a public charge, USCIS may invite the applicant to post a financial bond.
USCIS said the amount of the bond will take into account the government assistance the applicant may be eligible for and potentially receive over the following five years.
The agency stressed that a public charge determination is not based on a single factor but on the applicant’s overall circumstances.
The new guidance will apply to Form I-485 applications subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility that are postmarked or electronically submitted on or after September 18, 2026.
Applicants should therefore review the updated requirements carefully before submitting an affected green card application.
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