Published: 23.05.2026
According to the source, Israelis in the United States applying for a green card through employment, study, or family-based routes may be required to return to Israel and complete immigrant visa processing at the U.S. Embassy. Departure could create re-entry problems for people who overstayed a visa, worked without authorization, or have other immigration violations.
Sources describe the measure not as an entirely new rule but as a stricter interpretation of existing requirements, so the timing of enforcement remains uncertain. For applicants, this may mean planning for travel to Israel and waiting outside the United States while the case is reviewed, while also checking their status, documents, and any prior violations. The change primarily affects Israelis pursuing a green card through an employer, spouse, or family member, as well as students and workers whose ability to remain depends on lawful status. According to sources, this deserves attention from anyone already in the United States who is preparing or continuing an application, since possible exceptions may depend on lawful status, a clean record, and the economic value of the applicant’s work.