US tightens financial screening for some green card applicants

The United States will tighten its assessment of the public charge requirement for certain green card applicants from September 18, 2026, under updated guidance issued by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

According to USCIS, as reported by The Punch, officers will assess applicants’ age, health, family status, assets, financial resources, education and skills when determining whether they are likely to become primarily dependent on government assistance.

The agency said decisions will be made case-by-case based on the totality of circumstances. Several categories, including refugees, asylees and certain trafficking victims, remain exempt from the public charge requirement.