USCIS has announced key updates for the May 2026 visa bulletin, signaling a more cautious approach to managing green card demand. The agency will revert to using Final Action Dates…

The EB-1A extraordinary ability classification is often misunderstood. Many professionals, when considering various U.S. immigration pathways, assume that the EB-1A classification is reserved for Nobel Prize winners, Olympic athletes, or globally recognized public figures.

On March 31, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it had received enough electronic registrations to reach the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption (also known as the master’s cap).

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.

Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin.

The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) announced that it will restrict flagship loan programs, such as the 7(a) and 504 loans, to businesses where 100% ownership is to United States citizens or United States nationals who have their principal residence in the U.S., or its territories.

With today’s evolving immigration landscape, the O-1 visa remains a valuable immigration pathway for many individuals seeking legal status in the United States. While much sought after, this pathway is commonly misunderstood. The O-1 visa allows highly skilled professionals, researchers, creatives, and entrepreneurs from a range of industries to continue their work in the United States, given that their contributions are within the evidentiary framework set by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

For many years, international students and exchange visitors on F-1 and J-1 legal status have enjoyed the benefits of a policy known as “Duration of Status (D/S).” This policy allowed students to remain in the United States indefinitely, provided that they remain an enrolled student within an institution and followed the program’s rules.

Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin

Across the United States, immigrant communities are experiencing an increase in sophisticated impersonation scams. These schemes, which has gained more traction since mid-2025 and especially with ever changing immigration-related news and varies rule changes, are affecting many individuals in the immigrant community.

On February 3, 2026, the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and six individual researchers filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Department of Commerce, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and their respective agency leads in their official capacity.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration for the fiscal year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap will open at 12 P.M. Eastern on March 4, 2026, and end at 12 P.M. Eastern on March 19, 2026. During this initial registration period, each prospective petitioner and representative must pay the government filing fee of $215.00 for each registration.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has officially announced the beginning of the FY 2027 H-1B Cap season starting at 12 P.M. EST on March 4, 2026, and ending at 12 P.M. EST on March 19, 2026. As always, the H-1B cap process will require proactive planning on the part of each prospective petitioner, representative, and foreign worker. While the H-1B visa program is a common immigration pathway, it is important to note that there are several alternative routes that allow individuals to work in the United States. Understanding that there are other U.S. nonimmigrant visa options will provide flexibility for all prospective visa applicants who may wish to work in the United States.

Beginning November 1, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) ceased third-country stamping. This impacts international professionals, students, and U.S. employers managing global mobility. The new procedure requires all non-immigrant visa applicants to schedule interviews in their country of nationality or residence. This change shut down the practice of “third-country stamping,” where applicants booked visa appointments in a third country to bypass long wait times at home.

To participate in the H-1B cap selection process, a registration must meet specific standards that are established by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Below, please find an overview of the structure of the annual cap as well as the eligibility requirements for the H-1B Lottery.

The beginning of 2026 has ushered in substantial changes to U.S. immigration policy, creating significant challenges for both prospective entrants and individuals with pending applications already present in the United States. Three distinct policy developments have fundamentally altered the immigration landscape for nationals of designated countries.

On January 9, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that will increase USCIS fees for premium processing to reflect the inflation rate from June 2023 through June 2025.

On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule that significantly changes requirements for religious workers seeking to return to the United States after reaching their maximum period of stay. This policy impacts many religious workers, including priests, nuns, rabbis, and other clergy members who serve faith-based communities across the country.

Sheetal A. Patel of Pasricha & Patel, LLC, explains the adjustment of status filing charts for the Visa Bulletin

On December 24, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced significant changes to the H-1B work visa program that will fundamentally shift how these visas are dispersed. The new rule, set to take effect on February 27, 2026, replaces the current lottery system with a weighted selection process that prioritizes higher-skilled and higher-paid workers.