US Tightens Green Card Checks: What Nigerians Applying Should Know

Nigerians seeking permanent residency in the United States through adjustment of status will face stricter financial scrutiny from September 18, 2026. ‎ ‎

The new assessment will be carried out by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) under its updated public-charge guidance. ‎ ‎

The policy will apply to eligible Form I-485 applications submitted or postmarked on or after September 18. ‎ ‎

Under the new rules, USCIS officers will determine whether an applicant is likely to become a public charge at any time in the future. ‎ ‎

In carrying out the assessment, officers will consider five statutory factors: the applicant’s age, health, family status, assets and financial resources, and education and skills. ‎ ‎

The agency may also review the Form I-864 Affidavit of Support, where applicable, as well as other relevant evidence contained in the applicant’s immigration record. ‎

‎Nigerians applying for permanent residency are advised to ensure that their financial information is complete, accurate and consistent across all submitted documents. ‎ ‎

Applicants should also prepare relevant evidence of income, assets, employment, education and available support where required. ‎ ‎

Immigration advisers warn applicants against submitting false documents or relying on unverified information from agents, as inconsistencies could raise questions during the review. ‎ ‎

However, humanitarian organisations have criticised the policy, saying it could affect vulnerable migrants, including trafficking survivors, abused children and others who fled difficult circumstances in their home countries. ‎ ‎

The groups warned that some vulnerable applicants could face pressure to return to countries they previously fled. ‎ ‎

The updated guidance concerns eligible adjustment-of-status applications and should not be confused with the requirements for every other category of U.S. visa. ‎ ‎

Nigerian applicants are encouraged to verify the requirements for their specific immigration category and seek qualified legal advice where their cases involve financial difficulties, previous immigration issues or humanitarian circumstances.