Washington DC, May 22 -- The US government on Friday issued a new policy memo tightening rules for foreign nationals on temporary visas seeking permanent residency, stating that persons wanting a Green Card must return to their home country to apply, except in "extraordinary circumstances".

A US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) release said that adjustment of status within the US will now be treated as an "extraordinary form of relief" to be granted only in limited cases.

The agency said that under immigration law, individuals on non-immigrant visas such as students, tourists, and temporary workers are generally expected to complete the immigrant visa process through consular processing abroad via the US Department of State....