On March 25, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) announced that it will expand its online presence review. This is set to take effect on March 30, 2026. The expanded screening and vetting procedures now include applicants in the following additional non-immigrant visa classifications.
BlogPasricha & Patel
-
USCIS Sets January 2026 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for the Visa Bulletin
Categories: Adjustment of Status , Employment-Based Immigration , Family-Based Immigration , Immigration Law , Pasricha & Patel , Priority Dates , USCIS , Visa Bulletin
Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Transitions to Electronic Payments for Paper-Filed Immigration Forms
Categories: electronic payments , Immigration Law , legal updates , paper-filed forms , USCIS
On October 28, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a significant change in how payments for immigration applications will be accepted.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Understanding the Recent EB-5 Filing Fee Changes - What Investors Need to Know
Categories: EB-5 , filing fees , Immigration Law , Investor Visa , Pasricha & Patel , USCIS
The EB-5 immigrant investor program experienced significant fee increases following the publication of the 2024 Fee Rule by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) in April 2024.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
H-1B Visa Appointment Delays at Many U.S. Consulates Abroad
Categories: H-1B Visa , H-4 Visa , Immigration Law , Travel Delays , U.S. Consulate , Visa Appointment
Beginning December 8, 2025, U.S. consulates worldwide have begun rescheduling H-1B and H-4 visa appointments originally scheduled for December 15, 2025, and later.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Ends Automatic Employment Authorization Extensions
Categories: EAD , Employment Authorization , Immigration Law , Policy Updates , USCIS , Work Authorization
On October 29, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an interim final rule that ends the automatic extension of employment authorization documents (EAD) for certain employment authorization categories. Under this new change, all foreign nationals who file to renew their EAD application on or after October 30, 2025, will not receive an automatic extension of their expiring EADs. This does not affect the EADs that were automatically extended prior to October 30, 2025.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Sets November 2025 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for the Visa Bulletin
Categories: Adjustment of Status , Family-Based Visas , Immigration Law , Immigration News , Visa Availability , Visa Bulletin
Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Implements 2025 Naturalization Test
Categories: 2025 Updates , Civics Test , Immigration Law , Naturalization , U.S. Citizenship , USCIS
On September 17, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced the implementation of the 2025 naturalization civics test. Under the new change, all aliens filling for naturalization on or after October 20, 2025, must take the 2025 test. Those who filed before that date will still be able to take the 2008 naturalization civics test.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Sets October 2025 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for the Visa Bulletin
Categories: Adjustment of Status , Employment-Based Visas , Family-Based Visas , Immigration Law , Immigration News , Pasricha & Patel , Priority Dates , USCIS , Visa Availability , Visa Bulletin
Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
U.S. Imposes Visa Restrictions on Travel Agencies Helping Unlawful Immigration
Categories: Immigration Law , India , travel agencies , U.S. visa restrictions
On May 19, 2025, The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced new visa restrictions against certain travel agencies in India. These agencies are being accused of helping people come to the United States via unlawful means. The U.S. government is taking action to stop these practices and ensure that immigration laws are being followed.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Announces Process for Designated Hong Kong Residents to Apply for Work Permits
Categories: Hong Kong , Immigration Law , USCIS , work permits
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has shared new details about how certain Hong Kong residents who are protected by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) can apply for work permits. These work permits, also known as Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), will be valid until February 5, 2027.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B Cap
Categories: FY 2026 , H-1B Visa , Immigration Law , Pasricha & Patel , USCIS
On March 31, 2025 the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received enough electronic registrations to meet the fiscal year (FY) 2026 H-1B visa cap, including the 20,000 advanced degree exemption, also known as the master’s cap. This cap is specifically allocated for individuals who hold U.S. master’s degree or higher. USCIS has randomly selected beneficiaries from the pool of properly submitted registrations and notified petitioners whose beneficiaries were selected to file an H-1B cap-subject petition.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Pasricha & Patel, LLC, Featured in New India Abroad’s March Immigration News Publication
Categories: EB-2 , H-1B , H-1B modernization rule , Immigration Law , India Abroad
Pasricha and Patel, LLC was honored to be invited to contribute to New India Abroad's March Immigration News Publication. As part of the special feature, Attorneys Sheetal A. Patel and Clement C. Chang provide an overview of immigration updates and challenges in 2025. New India Abroad is a digital platform dedicated to keeping members of the Indian community well-informed on current events worldwide. Our attorneys highlight the U.S. immigration landscape and current events impacting Indian nationals. To view the article in its entirety, please visit page 6 of the publication: New India Abroad’s March Immigration Special.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
Annual Limit Reached in the EB-4 Category: What This Means for Immigrants and Employers
Categories: EB-4 Visa , Fiscal Year 2025 , Immigration Law , Visa Cap
The United States Department of State (DOS) announced on February 28, 2025, that all available immigrant visas in the Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB-4) category have been issued and exhausted for fiscal year (FY) 2025. This significant development affects various special immigrants, religious workers, and other qualified individuals who fall under this visa category.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Updates Policy on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Petitions
Categories: EB-2 , Immigration , Immigration Law , Immigration Policy , National Interest Waiver , USCIS
On January 15, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy guidance to clarify how USCIS evaluates eligibility for second preference employment-based category for national interest waiver (NIW) petitions.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Sets February 2025 Adjustment of Status Filing Charts for the Visa Bulletin
Categories: Attorneys , Immigration Law , Law Firm , Lawyers , USCIS , Visa Bulletin
Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
New H-1B Modernization Rule
Categories: F-1 , H-1B Visa , immigration attorneys , Immigration Law , Law Firm , Legal Advice , USCIS
In December of 2024, USCIS announced a final rule that will be making significant changes to the H-1B nonimmigrant visa category. According to the USCIS, the purpose of said changes is “to modernize and improve the efficiency of the H-1B program, add benefits and flexibilities, and improve integrity measures” as well as strengthen “program integrity.” These adjustments will primarily affect H-1B specialty occupation workers, but they also include provisions that will have an impact on other nonimmigrant categories such as E-3, F-1, H-2, H-3, L-1, O, P, Q-1, R-1, and TN. Here are some key takeaways from the final rule.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Announces Updates to Case Assistance and Communication Guidelines
Categories: Attorneys , Business Immigration , H-1B Visa , Immigration Law , International Law , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Services
USCIS has updated its policy manual to make it easier for people to get help with their cases and provide feedback. These changes aim to improve the customer’s experience by making the process of managing cases and addressing concerns more efficient. The update also clarifies response times and provides new tools to help individuals interact with the USCIS more easily.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
DHS Extends Automatic Extension Period for EAD Renewals
Categories: Attorneys , H-1B Visa , immigration attorneys , Immigration Law , L-1 Visa , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Services
On December 10, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that will improve access to employment authorization documents (EAD) for eligible individuals. This final rule specifically highlights the permanent increase in the automatic extension period of EADs from up to 180 days initially to up to 540 days for eligible noncitizens who file a timely request for the renewal of their extension.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
-
USCIS Mandates Submission of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record with Form I-485 for Certain Applicants
Categories: Attorneys , immigration attorneys , Immigration Law , Law Firm , Lawyers , Legal Services , USCIS
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a new requirement for certain applicants filing Form I-485, the Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status. Going forward, applicants must submit Form I-693, the Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, to accompany the Form I-485, or the application may be rejected. (Note: Previously, the applicant could submit the form I-693 subsequent to the filing of the initial form I-485.) Form I-693 serves as proof that the applicant is free from health-related conditions that would make them inadmissible under U.S. immigration law.
Click Here To Read The Full Article
