DHS Expands 9-11 Fee to H-1B & L-1 Extensions: $4K More per Filing
Starting September 9, DHS expands the 9-11 Biometric Fee to routine H-1B and L-1 extensions for covered employers. An additional $4,000-$4,500 per filing now applies to what were previously exempt same-employer renewals.
State Dept Halts Global Visa Interviews for Public Charge Training
On August 25, the State Department paused immigrant visa interviews worldwide for mandatory consular officer training on stricter public charge screening. Employment-based green card applicants in consular processing face immediate delays.
USCIS RFE Deadlines Collapse to 30 Days—File Perfect From Day One
Following the August 5 policy change, USCIS is now issuing 30-day RFE deadlines instead of 84 days. With no second chances for incomplete filings, every H-1B petition and immigration benefit request must be complete and correct at submission.
DHS Files $103,265 H-1B Fee Rule: What Comes Next
On August 25, DHS officially registered its proposed $103,265 H-1B fee for cap-subject petitions. The 30-day comment period is now open—a critical window for stakeholders to weigh in before finalization.
DHS's $103,265 H-1B Fee Proposal: What You Need to Know
DHS published a formal rulemaking proposal for a $103,265 fee on all cap-subject H-1B petitions, including master's degree exempt visas. Comment deadline is September 24, 2026.
Federal Judge Strikes Down 75-Country Visa Ban—EB & Family Sponsorship Resumed
A Manhattan federal judge ruled the Trump administration's January 2026 policy banning immigrant visas for 75 countries unlawful, clearing the way for thousands of employment and family-based green card applicants.
Trump's Birth Tourism & Birthright Orders: What Visa Applicants Need to Know Now
On August 6, Trump signed two executive orders targeting visa issuance for birth tourism and redefining birthright citizenship. The ACLU filed legal challenges days later. Here's what this means for your visa approval timeline.
F-1 Duration of Status Ends Sept 15: What OPT & STEM OPT Workers Need to Know
Starting September 15, 2026, F-1 students lose "duration of status" and get fixed I-94 expiration dates instead. The grace period drops from 60 to 30 days—critical for STEM OPT workers planning H-1B transitions.
H1B FY 2027 Lottery Done: Cap Hit, No Second Round, Fee Uncertain
FY 2027 H-1B cap is officially full with no second lottery. Learn what this means for unselected candidates, the wage-weighted system that changed your odds, and the ongoing $100,000 fee litigation.
H-1B FY 2027 Cap Filled: What It Means for Your Job Search
USCIS has reached the H-1B cap for FY 2027. Learn what happens next, how the wage-weighted lottery changed selection odds, and what you need to know about the $100K fee dispute.
FY 2027 H-1B Cap Reached: What It Means for Job Seekers
USCIS hit the FY 2027 H-1B cap in mid-July. Fewer registrations, no second lottery, and a new wage-weighted system reshape your sponsorship odds—here's what you need to know.
H-1B FY 2027 Cap Filled: What It Means for Your Job Search
USCIS closed out FY 2027 H-1B registrations ahead of schedule. No second lottery round is happening. Here's what this means for job seekers and what to do next.
H1B FY 2027 Cap Reached: What You Need to Know Right Now
USCIS has hit the fiscal year 2027 H-1B visa cap after just months of petition filing. Here's what it means for your sponsorship strategy and what you can do if you weren't selected.
H-1B $100K Fee Struck Down: What It Means for Your Case Now
A federal judge ruled the $100,000 H-1B supplemental fee unlawful in June 2026, but DHS has appealed. Here's what job seekers and employers need to know about the uncertain status of this policy.
H1B Lottery 2026: Wage-Weighted Selection Changes Everything
The H-1B lottery is no longer random. Starting March 2026, wage level now determines your selection odds—Level IV roles have 61% odds while Level I drops to 15%. Here's what job seekers and employers need to know.
Federal Court Strikes Down $100K H-1B Fee: What It Means for You
A Boston federal judge ruled the $100,000 H-1B supplemental fee unlawful in June 2026. Here's what the decision means for employers and visa applicants—and why uncertainty remains.
H-1B FY 2027: Wage-Weighted Lottery & $100K Fee Court Challenge—What's New
The FY 2027 H-1B lottery marked a historic shift: wage-weighted selection is now live, but a federal court ruling in June 2026 struck down the $100,000 visa fee. Here's what you need to know before filing.
H-1B Wage-Weighted Lottery 2026: How Your Salary Now Determines Selection Odds
As of March 2026, the H-1B lottery no longer operates on pure chance. USCIS now weights selections by wage level—fundamentally reshaping which applicants win sponsorship and how employers budget hiring.