While May brought structural adjustments and significant movement, the June 2026 Visa Bulletin remains largely unchanged for most employment-based categories, with the notable exceptions of India EB-2 and EB-3 categories which retrogressed due to surging demand. In contrast, Mexico, the Philippines, China, and all worldwide categories experienced little or no change. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration […]
The recent changes to Form I-129 are doing more than modifying filing requirements — they are reshaping how USCIS evaluates employer compliance in H-1B petitions. In Meltzer Hellrung’s recent webinar, our team discussed how the April 1 updates are already affecting employers, with Requests for Evidence (RFEs) being issued in cases where filings, wage levels, […]
The India Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently completed a comprehensive structural overhaul of India’s border entry infrastructure and the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) program. This transition eliminates legacy paper workflows in favor of an automated, unified digital ecosystem. 1. Mandatory e-Arrival Cards at Entry Implementing India’s move toward a paperless border, the government has permanently discontinued physical, paper disembarkation cards at […]
The Issue On May 22, 2026, USCIS released Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, directing immigration officers to treat adjustment of status as an “extraordinary discretionary relief” , a significant departure from longstanding agency practice. The memo frames adjustment of status as a privilege rather than a routine pathway, stating that it is “a matter of discretion and […]
On April 28, 2026, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide directive requiring consular officers to ask two specific asylum-related questions during all nonimmigrant visa interviews. The directive mandates that consular officers more proactively prevent the misuse of nonimmigrant visas by individuals intending to seek asylum, alleging that current vetting is insufficient. Whether foreign nationals are applying for a tourist visa (B1/B2), a student […]
Starting May 29, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will begin enforcing severe penalties for non-payment of the recently implemented Annual Asylum Fee (AAF). While this fee primarily affects individual asylum applicants, the consequences for their employers are immediate and significant, potentially disrupting workforce continuity overnight. What is the New Annual Asylum Fee? As a result of a recent rule change, individuals with […]
The Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery Program – commonly known as the Green Card Lottery – provides up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually to individuals from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. While the entry process is free, the requirements are highly technical, and even minor mistakes can result in disqualification. […]
The United States remains the destination of choice for millions of foreign nationals pursuing careers, building businesses, and seeking permanent homes. But for a growing number of people, the path to stability in the US has become longer, less predictable, and more precarious than ever. Two groups in particular face acute and immediate challenges: Indian […]
With immigration compliance audits and site visits increasing in most employment-based immigration categories, the STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) program is not immune to heightened scrutiny. While this program has proven invaluable to both U.S. employers and foreign students for decades, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which administers OPT, has recently raised concerns regarding the integrity of a variety of STEM OPT employment arrangements, particularly focusing on STEM OPT […]