The year 2025 brought major changes to how immigration works in the United States. From work visas and travel checks to citizenship rules, the Trump administration rolled out several new policies that affect millions of people around the world. These changes touch nearly every step of the immigration journey. From entering the country, working in the US, to becoming a Green Card holder.
5 major immigration changes taking place in US- 2026
Here’s a look at five of the biggest immigration changes that came into effect.
H-1B visa rules get a major overhaul
One of the most talked-about changes came in September, when the Trump administration proposed a major shift in how H-1B visas are awarded. These visas allow US companies, especially in the tech sector, to hire skilled workers from other countries.
The Department of Homeland Security, which issues H-1B visas, said the new proposal will push employers toward offering higher salaries or using the visa only for jobs that truly require advanced skills. The rule was officially published in the Federal Register after President Donald Trump signed a proclamation that introduced a $100,000 fee for each H-1B visa application.
The administration said the changes will come into effect in February and are meant to protect American workers. According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesman Matthew Tragesser, the old lottery-style system had been misused by some employers to hire foreign workers. It has now been replaced with a wage-weighted system.
Social Media vetting for foreign tourists
The government is also tightening checks on foreign tourists before they even arrive. In December, DHS said that it plans to review social media activity as part of the travel approval process.
In a notice published in the Federal Register, US Customs and Border Protection said it will now require travellers applying through the Electronic System for Travel Authorisation, known as ESTA, to submit their social media history from the past five years.
This move follows a January 2025 executive order focused on protecting the US from security threats. ESTA is used to decide whether visitors from visa waiver countries are allowed to travel to the US and whether they pose any safety risks.
Facial recognition for non-citizens
Another major change arrived just after Christmas. On December 26, the Department of Homeland Security announced a new rule expanding the use of facial recognition for people entering and leaving the United States.
Under this rule, US Customs and Border Protection can collect facial biometric data from all non-US citizens at airports, land borders, seaports, and other approved exit points. This includes green card holders and other foreign nationals who are legally living in the US.
DHS clarified that US citizens are not required to take part, though they may still choose to use facial recognition systems voluntarily when entering or leaving the country.
US citizenship test gets tougher
Starting January 1, becoming a US citizen would be a challenging task. A new citizenship test now requires applicants to answer twice as many questions as before. The new oral civics test includes 20 questions chosen from a list of 128. To pass, applicants must answer at least 12 questions correctly. If they get nine wrong, they automatically fail. US Citizenship and Immigration Services said the tougher test ensures that new citizens truly understand American values, government, and civic responsibilities.
“The 2025 naturalisation civics test is an oral test consisting of 20 questions from the list of 128 civics test questions. You must answer 12 questions correctly [60%] to pass the 2025 test. You will fail the test if you answer 9 of the 20 questions incorrectly,” according to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Trump’s $1 Million “Gold Card” for residency
In December, President Trump announced the launch of a brand-new immigration option called the “Trump Gold Card.” The program offers wealthy foreign nationals a fast-track path to US permanent residency and eventual citizenship.
The card has been priced at $1 million. The card features Trump’s portrait, the Statue of Liberty, and the American flag on a gold background. Trump said the program could bring in more than $100 billion. The amount, according to him, could be used to cut taxes, support growth projects, and reduce national debt.
Applicants can apply through the official website, trumpcard.gov, where they must submit documents and pay a non-refundable processing fee. Once approved, cardholders receive lawful permanent resident status under EB-1 or EB-2 visa categories and can live and work anywhere in the US.