US Green Card Rules to Change by January 2026: Trump Administration Plans Stricter, Transparent System Impacting Indian IT, Doctors, and Scientists

US Green Card Policy Update:
The process of obtaining a US Green Card — the gateway to permanent residency — is set for a major overhaul under the Trump administration. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing a series of new regulations for employment-based Green Cards, expected to be opened for public comment by January 2026.

The proposed rules aim to make the system more transparent, consistent, and modern, ensuring that only truly qualified and high-skilled foreign professionals benefit. However, experts caution that these changes could also make the application process more document-intensive and challenging, particularly for professionals from India who represent a large portion of applicants in technology, healthcare, and research sectors.

What the New Rules Aim to Achieve

The DHS proposal focuses on refining the eligibility and documentation standards under employment-based Green Card categories, which include:

• Extraordinary Ability (EB-1A) applicants,

• Outstanding Professors and Researchers (EB-1B), and

• Skilled professionals in fields like Information Technology, Medicine, and Science.

According to officials, the new system seeks to address inconsistencies in how evidence and qualifications are interpreted by immigration officers. Currently, decisions often vary case by case, leading to uncertainty for applicants. Under the new guidelines, every applicant will be required to submit stronger, more verifiable documentation to prove their claims of exceptional ability, expertise, or contribution to their field.

Background: How the System Works Today

At present, employment-based Green Cards are available under several preference categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, etc.), each catering to professionals of varying skill levels and qualifications.

For example:

• The O-1A visa allows individuals with “extraordinary ability” in science, education, business, or athletics to work temporarily in the US.

• The National Interest Waiver (NIW) category under EB-2 visas allows applicants to bypass the job offer requirement if their work significantly benefits US national interests.

During the Biden administration, efforts were made to attract global talent through these visa channels by simplifying some processes. However, the upcoming Trump administration reforms may reverse parts of that leniency by emphasizing proof-based merit and clearer evaluation benchmarks.

Impact on Indian Professionals

India is home to one of the largest pools of employment-based Green Card applicants — particularly from the IT, engineering, medical, and scientific communities. Under the proposed system, Indian professionals with genuinely outstanding achievements could see better recognition and faster approvals, as the process will prioritize measurable talent and contributions.

However, the documentation requirements are expected to be far more stringent. Applicants will likely need to furnish detailed proof such as published research, patents, international awards, employer recommendations, or peer recognition.

Immigration experts believe that while this could initially slow down approvals, it may ultimately favor truly qualified candidates, offering a more merit-based approach and reducing arbitrary rejections.

Why the Changes Matter

The reform comes at a time when the US faces increasing global competition for talent in fields like artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and data science. The Trump administration argues that streamlining and standardizing employment-based Green Card eligibility will help attract genuine innovators while ensuring fairness and consistency.

The DHS also aims to digitize and modernize parts of the application system, potentially reducing delays and making case assessments more data-driven. Still, the overall tone of the reform reflects a tougher stance on immigration, prioritizing high-skilled workers who can directly contribute to US innovation and competitiveness.

What Happens Next

Although the detailed draft of the new policy has not yet been released, officials confirm that the public consultation phase will begin by January 2026. During this period, universities, tech companies, research institutions, and policy experts will be invited to submit feedback and recommendations before the final rule is implemented.

If adopted, the new regulations could take effect later in 2026, marking one of the most significant overhauls of the employment-based immigration system in recent years.

The Bottom Line

The upcoming changes to the US Green Card system could reshape the future of skilled immigration — especially for Indian IT professionals, doctors, scientists, and researchers. While the stricter documentation process might add hurdles, it could also bring greater transparency, fairness, and predictability to the system.

Ultimately, those with genuine talent and achievements may find better opportunities under the new merit-focused framework — but applicants should prepare early, gather solid evidence of their qualifications, and stay updated on the official DHS announcements expected in the coming months.