- US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) denied 35,767 work permit applications from Green Card applicants between April and June 2026
- The work permit denial rate rose to approximately 44%, compared with about 25% in the preceding two fiscal quarters
- More than 671,000 work permit applications and 727,000 citizenship applications remained pending, with median processing times of 6.4 months and 9.5 months, respectively
The United States has recorded a sharp increase in work permit application denials among foreign nationals waiting for Green Card decisions, according to immigration figures covering April to June 2026.
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The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) rejected 35,767 applications for employment authorisation during the third quarter of the 2026 fiscal year, raising concerns for immigrants who rely on work permits while their permanent residency applications are being processed.
The denial rate reached approximately 44%, up from around 25% during the previous two quarters, which covered October 2025 to March 2026.
The figures could affect eligible foreign nationals, including Kenyans living in the United States, who need employment authorization while waiting for decisions on their immigration cases.
US work permit applications face increased rejections
The applications are submitted through Form I-765, which eligible foreign nationals use to request an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD).
The document allows qualifying applicants to work legally in the United States while their immigration cases are pending, subject to the applicable rules.
By the end of the reporting period, 671,362 employment authorisation applications under the adjustment-of-status category remained pending. The median processing time was 6.4 months.
The figures indicate that applicants may face uncertainty while waiting for decisions. However, a higher denial rate does not mean that every Green Card applicant will be refused a work permit.
Eligibility depends on the applicant's immigration category, supporting documents and individual circumstances.
Other US immigration applications record denials
The increase in work permit rejections was accompanied by denials across several other immigration categories.
According to the figures cited in the report, USCIS recorded the following outcomes between April and June 2026:
- Temporary foreign worker petitions: Form I-129 recorded 39,560 denials and 143,748 approvals, with a reported denial rate of approximately 22%. The form covers several temporary worker categories, including H-1B petitions.
- Family-based immigration petitions: Form I-130 recorded 16,661 denials, representing approximately 17% of decisions.
- Employment-based immigrant petitions: Form I-140 had a reported denial rate of 16%.
- Green Card applications: Form I-485, used by eligible applicants seeking to adjust their status to permanent resident while in the United States, recorded a comparatively lower denial rate of 7%.
These figures cover different application types and should not be interpreted as applying to all immigrants or visa applicants.
US citizenship applications also face delays
Naturalisation applications also recorded an increase in denials during the quarter.
USCIS received 140,179 citizenship applications through Form N-400. The agency approved 54,974 applications and denied 12,591, producing a reported denial rate of approximately 19%.
The figure was higher than the 13% rate recorded across the preceding two quarters.
Meanwhile, 727,371 naturalisation applications remained pending, with a median processing time of 9.5 months.
The outstanding cases mean that eligible applicants may have to wait several months for a decision, although processing times vary depending on individual circumstances and the relevant USCIS office.
Stricter immigration assessments and upcoming fee changes
The report also points to stricter financial assessments for some Green Card applicants. These assessments may consider factors such as income, assets, health and the likelihood of relying on certain public benefits when determining whether an applicant meets the applicable requirements.
It also reported that USCIS planned to increase fees for asylum applications, employment authorisation and Temporary Protected Status from 16 October 2026 as part of annual inflation adjustments.
Foreign nationals applying for work permits, permanent residency or US citizenship should check their eligibility, ensure their documentation is complete and consult official USCIS guidance for current fees and processing information.
Source: Legit.ng