The Issue On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued updated policy guidance advising nonimmigrant visa applicants to apply in their country of nationality or residence. While it has generally been DOS policy to recommend that individuals apply in their country of nationality or residence, many posts have routinely accepted applicants who […]
The Issue On August 28th, DHS proposed regulations that would eliminate “duration of status” (D/S) for F and J nonimmigrants, replacing it with fixed admission periods (up to 4 years). The proposed changes would also modify student grace periods, program transfer rules, and employment authorization processes. While it may be several months before the proposed […]
The Announcement On August 21, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a moratorium on all employment visas for commercial truck drivers. The U.S. Department of State (DOS) confirmed that the suspension applies to three visa categories: H-2B: Temporary visa for non-agricultural workers E-2: Temporary visa for investors making a substantial U.S. business investment EB-3: […]
Understanding the Recent TPS Termination and Its Impact on Corporate Immigration A recent court order has authorized the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Honduras, Nicaragua, and Nepal. The court’s decision will severely affect immigration support options for organizations employing TPS beneficiaries from these countries. Under the recent court […]
The Issue The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has drafted regulations that will change the way H-1B registrations are selected for cap subject petitions and it is expected to be published shortly for public review and comment. On August 28, 2025, DHS has published a proposed regulation altering the long-standing policy of admitting F and […]
State Department Implementing Bond Pilot Program to Incentivize Maintenance of Status and Departure for Certain Nonimmigrants The Issue On August 5, 2025, the U.S. State Department (DOS) announced that it is launching a pilot program that will require certain foreign nationals to post a bond to receive a B-1/B-2 nonimmigrant visa. The Pilot Program will […]
The Issue On July 25, 2025, the U.S. State Department announced that it will begin scaling back the eligibility standards for nonimmigrant visa interview waivers, effective September 2, 2025. As of that date, most nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will require an in-person interview […]
The Issue On August 19, 2025, USCIS updated its Policy Manual, which adjudicators rely upon to review benefit requests, to include more detailed guidance on the factors that officers may consider in determining that an exercise of discretion is warranted. The new Policy Manual guidance specifically instructs USCIS adjudicators to consider a foreign national’s has […]
The Issue The U.S. State Department recently revised its reciprocity schedule for over fifty countries to reduce either the period of validity of certain nonimmigrant visas or number of entries for which each visa may be used. Many visas, including the B, F, H, J and O categories, have been limited to a validity period […]