Public charge
Public Charge rule (2026) – screening note
In short
Not a benefit: rule affecting whether benefit use can count against green-card applicants. Applies to people applying for green cards through family (and some others); many groups exempt (refugees, asylees, SIJ, T/U, VAWA).
- What you get
- Not a benefit: rule affecting whether benefit use can count against green-card applicants.
- Who qualifies
- Applies to people applying for green cards through family (and some others); many groups exempt (refugees, asylees, SIJ, T/U, VAWA).
- Income limit (2026)
- N/A
- Papers to gather
- N/A
- Renewal
- N/A
- 2026 update
- changed (new final rule effective 2026-09-18).
Some details here could not be confirmed yet. We check every rule with the agency before you apply.
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