The changes in the Green Card rules kick in from June 1. (AI-Generated Photo) With stricter US green card rules taking effect in June, Indians seeking permanent residency in America will be among those immigrants facing longer delays owing the revised norms. Federal immigration authorities are restricting who can apply for employment-based green cards as well as narrowing a long-used pathway that allowed many applicants to remain while seeking permanent status. US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed that employment-based applicants in June 2026 must use the more restrictive "Final Action Dates" chart published in the State Department's monthly Visa Bulletin. The "Final Action Dates" chart determines when a green card can actually be approved, while the "Dates for Filing" chart allows some applicants to submit paperwork earlier and enter the processing system before a visa becomes available. For June, USCIS is permitting applicants to rely only on the stricter "Final Action Dates" schedule. The decision limits the number of people who can immediately proceed with their applications and is typically used when visa demand approaches or exceeds annual limits. Applicants whose priority dates do not fall within the approved range are unable to file, even if they would previously have qualified under the broader filing chart. The latest Visa Bulletin shows that several employment-based categories used heavily by Indian nationals have moved backwards. Retrogression occurs when visa demand exceeds available numbers, forcing authorities to push back eligibility dates and increasing waiting times for applicants. A separate policy development could also have significant implications for immigrants already residing in the United States. In a memorandum issued on May 22, USCIS described "adjustment of status" — the process through which eligible applicants seek permanent residency without leaving the country — as an "extraordinary" form of relief rather than a routine immigration pathway. The agency signalled a preference for consular processing abroad as the standard route for obtaining permanent residency. Officials have warned that further restrictions could follow if visa demand continues to rise. Some categories could face additional delays or even become temporarily unavailable if visa limits are reached. Get Latest News Live on Times Now along with Breaking News and Top Headlines from US News and around the World. Rounak is a journalist with over 7 years of experience covering geopolitical and international affairs. He has a keen interest in research and explain... View More