Public Benefits/Public Charge

Under U.S. immigration law, the “public charge” concept often raises questions among immigrants and their families. The term refers to an individual primarily dependent on the government for subsistence. Understanding who is subject to the public charge of inadmissibility and who is eligible for certain public benefits under the 2022 Final Rule is crucial for noncitizens navigating the path to lawful permanent residency or naturalization. This blog post explores these aspects in detail, clarifying eligibility for federal public benefits and the potential impact on naturalization.

For nonimmigrant visa holders in the United States, understanding which public benefits you are eligible for—and how receiving these benefits might affect your visa status—is crucial. Nonimmigrant visa categories encompass various purposes, including tourism, business, study, and temporary work. The eligibility for public benefits among nonimmigrant visa holders is limited, reflecting the temporary nature of their stay in the U.S. This post explains the benefits nonimmigrant visa holders can and cannot receive and the impact on their visa status.