Effective March 1, 2026 USCIS will raise premium processing fees effective March 1, 2026, under a DHS final rule that adjusts fees every two years based on inflation. The increase reflects a 5.72% Consumer Price Index rise from June 2023 through June 2025, and applies to Form I-907 requests postmarked on or after March 1, […]
On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Memorandum directing adjudicators to place an immediate hold on final adjudication of a wide range of immigration benefit requests filed by (or on behalf of) individuals associated with countries newly designated as “high-risk” by recent Presidential Proclamation. While USCIS may continue processing […]
As the new year begins, it is increasingly evident that worksite immigration enforcement will accelerate in 2026. Recent public reporting, agency statements, and enforcement patterns point to more Form I‑9 audits, more Notices of Inspection (NOIs), more site visits, and higher civil penalty exposure, even for employers with otherwise robust compliance program. Why This Matters: […]
The U.S. Department of State has expanded the list of countries whose nationals may be required to post a visa bond as a condition of obtaining a B-1/B-2 visitor visa. The updated list was last revised January 6, 2026, with the largest set of additions taking effect January 21, 2026. This change may impact short-term […]
Appeals Court Fast-Tracks U.S. Chamber’s Challenge to Lower Court Decision on $100,000 H-1B Fee A federal appeals court has agreed to fast-track a legal challenge to the Trump administration’s $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas, with a decision expected in February 2026, just weeks before the annual H-1B cap registration period is scheduled to begin […]
Key Takeaways for Employers DHS has issued a final rule changing how USCIS selects H-1B cap registrations in years when demand exceeds the statutory limit. Instead of a purely random lottery, USCIS will implement a wage-based weighted selection system that increases selection odds for registrations tied to higher wage offers. DHS states the rule will […]
Key Takeaway On December 23, 2025, a federal judge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia upheld a presidential proclamation requiring employers to submit a $100,000 fee before certain new H-1B petitions will be processed. The court concluded the proclamation is a lawful exercise of broad presidential authority granted under the Immigration […]
On December 16, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation expanding U.S. travel restrictions on foreign nationals from twenty additional countries. The Administration cites national security, visa overstay data, deficient security vetting systems, and lack of cooperation with U.S. immigration enforcement as the grounds for the changes. Several of the countries also offer Citizenship […]
What Travelers and Employers Need to Know U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a notice outlining several important updates to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process used for admission to the U.S. as tourists or business visitors through the Visa Waiver Program. These changes reflect CBP’s ongoing efforts to improve identity […]