Starting today, September 18, the United States is tightening its controls on immigrant visas, with a greater emphasis on evaluating applicants’ ability to support themselves financially. According to an analysis by Visas Gómez & Asociados, U.S. authorities will be scrutinizing factors such as work history, education level, language proficiency, health status, and financial situation.
Focus on Economic Capability
The U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have ordered a strengthening of the review process for visa applicants. Visas Gómez & Asociados notes that the authorities will be placing greater emphasis on the applicant’s economic capability and the documentation that demonstrates their ability to be self-sufficient.
Leonardo Novoa, director of Visas Gómez & Asociados, explained that from now on, all immigrant visa applications will be subject to rigorous review. “The goal is to assess whether the applicant can support themselves in the United States without relying primarily on government subsidies, social assistance, or medical programs,” Novoa said.
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Carlos Olarte, an immigration specialist attorney, added that the main impact will be on those applying for permanent residence, adjustment of status, or certain immigrant visas. Olarte clarified that this does not mean that tourist visas (B1/B2) will be automatically denied.
Change in Regulations
Leonardo Salamanca, lead attorney for Immigration Law at Scola Abogados, explained that the new regulations are in response to the Final Rule on Public Charge Inadmissibility from the Department of Homeland Security, published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2026. The rule repeals the 2022 regulations, which limited the benefits that could be considered to cash assistance and long-term institutionalization.
The new regulations return to a discretionary, case-by-case analysis of the applicant’s overall circumstances. The officer must determine whether it is likely that the foreigner will become a public charge at any point. The previous regulations limited the benefits that could be considered, but now the authorities will be looking at the totality of the circumstances.
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Common Errors
Olarte mentioned that inconsistencies between forms and interviews, hiding migration or criminal history, providing false information, failing to clearly explain the purpose of the trip, and presenting financial information that does not match reality can all harm an applicant’s chances.
The attorney noted that English language proficiency may be considered as part of the evaluation of skills and self-sufficiency, but clarified that it is not a general requirement for obtaining a visa.
Novoa pointed out that any error on the form can have consequences for the approval process. “Whether it’s a simple mistake or a serious omission, it can be taken not only as an inconsistency, but as a false statement.” Such cases can result in denials, permanent ineligibility, or require complex pardons in some cases.
