Important Updates
Important Updates
October 17, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Second Court Challenge to New H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee is Filed
October 17, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Mandatory Insurance for Foreign Employees
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Online Temporary Work Permit Submission Process
October 17, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Mandatory Online Work Permit and Foreign Worker Registration System Forthcoming
October 17, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Second Court Challenge to New H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee is Filed
October 17, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Mandatory Insurance for Foreign Employees
October 17, 2025 | NigeriaNigeria: New Online Temporary Work Permit Submission Process
October 17, 2025 | ThailandThailand: Mandatory Online Work Permit and Foreign Worker Registration System Forthcoming
October 17, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Second Court Challenge to New H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee is Filed
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

USCIS Prepares to Implement Public Charge Regulation

February 5, 2020

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

  • USCIS is closer to implementing its new public charge regulation after issuing policy guidance and new forms today.
  • The rule takes effect February 24, 2020 and changes the application process for foreign nationals seeking adjustment of status and for employers and beneficiaries seeking nonimmigrant extensions and changes of status.
  • Due to a federal court injunction, USCIS cannot apply the new rules to applicants, petitioning employers or beneficiaries who have a physical address in Illinois. Until further notice, these applications are subject to the old forms and legacy public charge standard.

The issue

USCIS has issued extensive policy guidance and new application forms as it prepares to implement its new public charge regulation starting February 24, 2020. Applicants for adjustment of status, as well as sponsoring employers and beneficiaries of applications to change or extend nonimmigrant status on Forms I-129 and I-539, will be subject to new forms and procedures when the rule takes effect. However, USCIS has confirmed that it will not apply the public charge rule to adjustments or changes or extensions of nonimmigrant status if the applicant, petitioning employer or beneficiary has a physical address in Illinois, where a federal district court has enjoined USCIS from applying the public charge rule.

A closer look

Starting February 24, 2020, a regulation that broadens USCIS’s authority to determine whether certain foreign nationals will become a public charge of the United States and expands the inquiry to nonimmigrants seeking an extension or change of status is set to take effect.

The regulation means that foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through the adjustment of status process will be subject to significantly increased information and documentation requirements, and more intense scrutiny of their personal circumstances, if their applications are postmarked on or after February 24. Nonimmigrants seeking an extension or change of status will not be subject to the full impact of the rule, but as of the effective date, must satisfy a new public charge condition to be deemed eligible for their requested immigration benefit.

How the new procedures affect adjustment of status applicants

Under the new public charge framework, adjustment of status applicants will be reviewed under a “totality of circumstances” test that will take into account each applicant’s age, household size, income, financial liabilities, receipt of certain public benefits, health, and education and skills, at a minimum.

In a significant change from the current process, adjustment applicants will be required to submit a report of their credit history and credit score, as well as detailed information about health insurance coverage, among other matters. The totality test will also include an inquiry into any health conditions that may render the applicant unable to care for him- or herself. To assess adjustment applicants under the new test, USCIS will require applicants to complete new Form I-944, Declaration of Self-Sufficiency.  USCIS will also use a new edition of Form I-485, the application for adjustment of status, beginning February 24.

How the new requirements affect nonimmigrants

The rule creates a new eligibility condition for nonimmigrants seeking an extension of stay or change of status from within the United States. These applicants will be required to disclose whether they have received or are certified to receive certain public benefits on or after February 24, 2020. In order to negatively affect the application, the foreign national must have received the benefits for more than 12 months within a 36-month period since obtaining their current nonimmigrant status. Two public benefits received within one month will count as a foreign national having received two months of benefits.

Beginning February 24, nonimmigrant changes and extensions of status must be filed on new editions of Form I-129, the nonimmigrant worker petition (for extensions or changes of H-1B, L-1, O-1 status, among others), and Form I-539, the application to change or extend nonimmigrant status, for dependents of principal nonimmigrants, among others.

Nonimmigrant applicants are not subject to a totality of circumstances test and are not required to submit Form I-944. Certain nonimmigrant categories, mostly related to humanitarian and victim classifications, are exempt from the public benefits condition.

How the new requirements affect petitioners and applicants in Illinois

USCIS has confirmed that it will not apply the public charge regulation to adjustments or nonimmigrant changes/extensions where the applicant, beneficiary or petitioner has a physical address in Illinois at the time of filing, in compliance with a federal district court order that enjoins the agency from applying the regulation in that state. In addition, the public charge rule will not be applied where the applicant, beneficiary or petitioner moves to a physical address in Illinois at any point before USCIS concludes adjudication of the relevant filing (provided the applicant, petitioner or beneficiary files a timely change of address with USCIS before the agency completes adjudication).

As a reminder, USCIS has asked a federal appeals court to lift the Illinois federal district court injunction against the public charge regulation. If the Seventh Circuit agrees, USCIS will apply the regulation to Illinois adjustments and applications to extend or change nonimmigrant status.

Fragomen is closely reviewing USCIS’s new policy guidance on the public charge regulation and will issue further client alerts in advance of the February 24 implementation date.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Country / Territory

  • United StatesUnited States

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Video

Oman Introduces a Golden Visa Program | #MobilityMinute

Manager David Makau discusses Oman's recent introduction of a Golden Visa program.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Stage: Actors, Dancers and Writers Set to Escape Visa Ban

Partner Louise Haycock highlights the inclusion of performing arts occupations on the temporary shortage list and what it means for international talent in the sector.

Learn more

Media mentions

Arts Professional: Creative Sector Must ‘Come Together’ to Give Artists Easier Access to Visas

Partner Louise Haycock highlights opportunities for easier access to overseas talent for the UK creative sector while guiding businesses through evolving visa rules.

Learn more

Blog post

British Citizenship for Adopted and Surrogate Children: What Families Should Know

Associate Amelia Haynes and Paralegal Clare Macmillan Bell discuss the legal considerations surrounding British citizenship for children born through adoption or surrogacy.

Learn more

Media mentions

Financial Times: Boom Time for Immigration Lawyers as US and UK Tighten Restrictions

Partner Bo Cooper provides insight on how evolving US and UK immigration policies, including recent H-1B changes, are shaping corporate mobility and compliance strategies.

Learn more

Video

Atividades Técnicas sob Status de Visitante | #MobilityMinute

O Diretor Executivo da Fragomen Brasil, Diogo Kloper, destaca uma atualização importante na política migratória brasileira, que muda significativamente o que estrangeiros podem fazer no país sob o status de visitante.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Founders Without Frontiers: Navigating Immigration Rules for Start-Ups

Partner Rajiv Naik provides insight on how immigration frameworks across the UK, Europe and EMEA are evolving to support start-ups and entrepreneurial talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

The New York Times: Visiting the European Union? Expect to Give Your Biometric Data.

Partner Jo Antoons discusses the rollout of the EU's new Entry/Exit System.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Times: Bye bye, Dubai: why families are heading for Abu Dhabi

Fragomen is featured in The Times as a key immigration adviser highlighting Abu Dhabi’s rising demand for golden visas, especially among UK nationals seeking long-term, self-sponsored residency.

Learn more

Video

Important Update for Brazil-Bound Visitors | #MobilityMinute

Brazil Managing Partner Diana Quintas highlights Brazil’s visitor visa rules and what travelers should know.

Learn more

Blog post

Changes to Skilled Worker Dependants: How UK Government’s July 2025 Rules Affect Tech Talent

Senior Manager Kinka Tonchev and Paralegal Emily Whalley discuss how upcoming UK visa changes will affect skilled worker dependants and reshape tech sector mobility.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Partner Marius Tollenaere Contributes to Third Edition of Einwanderungsrecht

Partner Marius Tollenaere provides key insights on labour migration, procedures and employer obligations in the latest edition of "Einwanderungsrecht".

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.