Proposed Form for Special Immigrants Seeks Public Input
The government is asking for ideas on a new form for a special type of green card for people who worked for the U.S. government abroad.
Affects: Green Card · Source: Federal Register · Action may be needed
What happened
The U.S. Department of State has announced that it wants to collect information for a specific type of green card application. This green card is for people who used to work for the U.S. government in other countries.
It also applies to the husband, wife, or child of someone who worked for the U.S. government abroad and has passed away. The government is proposing a new or updated form for these applications.
This is a 30-day notice, which means the public has a chance to share their thoughts and ideas about the proposed form. This step is part of a normal process before a government form becomes final.
By the numbers
- 91 FR 47912 — the official number for this document in the Federal Register
- 2 — number of pages in the official notice
- 101 — how many times this document was viewed online as of August 18, 2026
- 27 — how many times this document was viewed while it was on public inspection
The bigger picture
Before this notice, the government still needed to collect information from people applying for these special green cards. This announcement is part of the standard process to review and approve how the government collects information from the public.
The government is doing this because a law called the Paperwork Reduction Act says they must ask the public for ideas on forms. This helps make sure the forms are clear and do not ask for too much information.
What this means for you
Green card applicants
If you are a former U.S. government employee abroad or their surviving family member applying for a special immigrant green card, this proposed form will be for you. Your application process will use this form once it is finalized.
All immigrants
This notice does not change the green card process for most other immigrants. It is only about a very specific type of green card for people with a direct connection to U.S. government work abroad.
Employers
This proposed form does not directly affect employers. It is focused on individuals applying for a specific type of green card based on past government service.
The general public
Anyone who is interested can share their ideas about the proposed form. This helps the government make sure the form is clear and easy to use for everyone.
What you should do
- You can send your ideas or comments to the government about this proposed form by August 28, 2026. This helps them make better forms for everyone.
Key dates
- 2026-07-29: Date the notice was published in the Federal Register
- 2026-08-28: Deadline to submit public comments on the proposed form
Words explained
- Special Immigrant
- A person who can get a green card because of special circumstances, like working for the U.S. government in another country.
- INA 203(b)(4)
- This is a specific part of the U.S. immigration law that talks about who can be a special immigrant.
- Federal Register
- This is like a daily newspaper where the U.S. government publishes its new rules, notices, and proposed changes for everyone to see.
- Information Collection
- This is when the government asks people for facts or details, usually by having them fill out a form.
- OMB
- This stands for the Office of Management and Budget, a part of the government that helps the President manage money and make sure government forms are not too much work for people.
Common questions
What is this notice about?
This notice is about a proposed form the government wants to use for a special type of green card. They are asking the public for ideas on this form before it becomes final.
Does this change how I apply for a green card?
If you are not a former U.S. government employee abroad or their family, this notice does not change your green card application process. It is about a very specific type of green card.
Who can comment on this proposed form?
Anyone interested can share their thoughts and ideas on the proposed form. This helps the government make sure the form is clear and easy to use for future applicants.
When is the deadline to submit comments?
You can send your comments to the government until August 28, 2026. After this date, the government will review all the ideas they received.
This is a plain-English explanation, not legal advice. Confirm with the official source or a licensed immigration attorney.