2 min readAug 6, 2026 02:54 PM IST

The United States has toughened the immigration benefit processing rules by giving the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers greater authority to deny incomplete or insufficiently documented applications for visas, green cards and other immigration benefits without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID).

The change in the policy could affect thousands of Indian applicants who wish to study, work or settle in the United States.

The USCIS, in a press release, clarified that the “benefit requestors should establish eligibility for an immigration benefit at the time they file a benefit request.”

“Generally, if a benefit requestor fails to demonstrate eligibility for a benefit or fails to provide all required initial evidence when filing an application, USCIS may deny their immigration benefit request without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID). USCIS form instructions specify all required initial evidence for every benefit request, giving requestors all the information needed to comply,” the statement added.

The USCIS said that the policy better aligns its procedures with long-standing Department of Homeland Security regulatory authority, helps restore integrity to the immigration system, and also makes it more difficult for applicants to file “frivolous benefit requests”.

The move amends Biden-era policy

The new move amends the previous Biden-era policy, which the USCIS said allowed incomplete or substantially deficient applications to remain in the processing queue, delaying decisions on other pending cases.

It also enabled some applicants to submit “placeholder” applications to obtain associated immigration benefits, like employment authorisation, while waiting for a final decision on their case.

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The USIC asserted that the new policy update would help better allocate resources to efficiently make decisions and prevent filing meritless requests.

The Express Global Desk at indianexpress.com which delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. … Read More

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