August 24, 2026 On August 24, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that, if finalized, would add a new, separate fee of $103,265 to most H1B cap (lottery) petitions on top of all existing filing fees for H1B...
Several recent and proposed changes to U.S. immigration procedures could have significant practical implications for employers and visa holders. Here are some developments to watch: More USCIS filings may move online: USCIS has finalized an interim final rule,...
Immigration attorneys across the country are reporting a concerning trend: ICE has reportedly detained certain noncitizens while they traveling on domestic flights at U.S. airports. Recent reports have come from multiple airports, including Newark (EWR) and San...
On May 11, 2026, USCIS published a new interim final rule addressing how the agency will handle immigration filings containing invalid signatures. The rule becomes effective for filings received by USCIS on or after July 10, 2026. Under the new rule, if USCIS later...
Recent reporting indicates that the U.S. Department of State has issued internal guidance instructing consular officers to ask all nonimmigrant visa applicants two new questions during visa interviews: Whether the applicant has experienced harm or mistreatment in...
March 31, 2026 On March 31, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received a sufficient number of H-1B petitions to reach the statutory H1B visa “cap” for fiscal year (FY) 2027. The announcement states: “[USCIS] has received...
On March 27, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would significantly change how government-set “prevailing wages” are calculated for key employment-based immigration programs. The rule would directly affect...
On January 30, 2026, USCIS announced the dates for the upcoming H-1B visa cap registration window. The window will open at noon ET (9am PT) on Wednesday March 4, 2026 and will close at noon ET (9am PT) on Thursday March 19, 2026. The registration fee will remain $215....
The Department of State (“DOS”) announced it will expand screening and vetting for all H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents beginning December 15, 2025. Consular officers will review the online presence of all visa applicants, including any social media, to...
