A federal court vacated the 75-country immigrant visa suspension
On August 21, the Southern District of New York vacated a State Department policy that had suspended immigrant visa issuance to nationals…
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Every update, explained as it happens.
Policy changes, visa bulletins and court rulings: what changed, why it changed and the official sources behind it.
A new public charge standard took effect on September 18
DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge rule. The replacement standard took effect September 18, 2026 and applies to adjustment applications filed on…
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The new Form I-485 took effect September 18, with no grace period
USCIS now rejects the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-485. The 09/18/26 edition has been required since September 18, with no overlap window.
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New I-539 and I-765 editions are on hold after the duration of status ruling
USCIS is not accepting the 09/15/26 editions of Forms I-539 and I-765 after a court postponed the duration of status rule.
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DHS proposes a $103,265 fee on every cap-subject H-1B petition
The proposed fee is more than one hundred times the current base filing fee, is not based on the cost of adjudicating…
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Where the $100,000 H-1B proclamation fee actually stands
A court vacated guidance for the $100,000 H-1B proclamation fee and the First Circuit declined a stay. A September 18 proclamation extended…
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Duration of status rule postponed: what it would change for F and J holders
A court postponed the DHS rule that would replace duration of status with a fixed Admit Until Date and a four year…
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The F-1 grace period would drop to 30 days, but the rule is on hold
The rule would cut the F-1 post-completion grace period from 60 to 30 days. A court postponed it, so the 60-day period…
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Executive Order 14419 targets birth tourism, and leaves the details to the agencies
Executive Order 14419 defines birth tourism and directs State and DHS to act. A task force has formed, but guidance has not…
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Fiscal year 2026 closes September 30. Here is what ‘unavailable’ would mean.
The FY2026 Visa Bulletin warns some employment categories may retrogress or go unavailable before September 30. Here's what those terms mean.
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