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• April 2026 Visa Bulletin Shows Significant Forward Movement
• FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Deadline Approaching
• Multiple DHS and DOS Updates Impact TPS, DV Program, and Global Travel
• Court Temporarily Halts Termination of Somalia TPS

April 2026 Visa Bulletin

The Department of State’s April 2026 Visa Bulletin reflects continued forward movement across several employment-based immigrant visa categories, with notable progress in EB-2 and EB-3 for many countries.

Key highlights include:

• EB-2 Final Action Dates become current for all countries except India and China.
• EB-3 (Professionals & Skilled Workers) Dates for Filing become current for all countries except India, China, and the Philippines.
• USCIS will accept adjustment of status applications in April based on the Dates for Filing chart, allowing more applicants to file earlier.
• EB-1 remains current for most countries, with limited advancement for India and China.
• EB-5 categories largely remain current, with only modest movement for China.

This continued advancement builds on prior months’ progress and allows a broader group of foreign nationals to move forward with the green card process.

Impact: Increased visa availability and USCIS’s use of the Dates for Filing chart create expanded filing opportunities for employment-based applicants. Employers should identify eligible employees who can file adjustment of status applications in April and prepare filings promptly to take advantage of current priority date movement.

FY 2027 H-1B Cap Registration Deadline Approaching

The FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period will close on March 19, 2026 at noon ET, marking the final opportunity for employers to submit electronic registrations for the upcoming lottery.

Important considerations:

• All registrations must be fully drafted, reviewed, and submitted before the deadline.
• USCIS is expected to receive a high volume of last-minute submissions, increasing the risk of technical issues.
• Selected beneficiaries will be eligible for petition filing beginning April 1, 2026, with filing windows extending at least through June 30.
• Employers should identify cases with time-sensitive needs, such as F-1 students relying on cap-gap protection.

Additionally, employers should be aware of a new $100,000 fee that may apply in certain cases where a change of status cannot be approved and the petition must proceed via consular processing, absent a national interest exception.

Impact: With the registration window closing, employers should ensure all intended beneficiaries are properly submitted and contingency plans are in place. Early preparation for petition filing is critical, particularly for employees with expiring work authorization or travel constraints. The potential $100,000 fee also introduces an additional layer of strategic decision-making during cap season.

Multiple DHS and DOS Updates Impact TPS, DV Program, and Global Travel

Recent announcements from DHS and the Department of State introduce several developments affecting Temporary Protected Status (TPS), the Diversity Visa (DV) Program, and international travel conditions.

Key updates include:

• TPS Developments: DHS has issued updates regarding TPS designations for countries including Burma, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Syria, with certain Employment Authorization Documents extended pursuant to court orders.
• Diversity Visa Program Changes: Effective April 10, 2026, DV applicants must provide valid, unexpired passport information and upload supporting documentation with their electronic entries, unless exempt.
• Middle East Travel Guidance: The State Department has issued updated security and travel information for multiple countries in the region, reflecting evolving conditions that may impact travel and consular services.
• DHS Leadership Update: The nomination of a new Secretary of Homeland Security signals potential future policy and enforcement shifts.

Impact: Employers should closely monitor TPS-related work authorization updates and ensure proper I-9 documentation for affected employees. The new DV requirements increase documentation obligations for applicants, while evolving travel conditions may disrupt international mobility. Organizations with global workforces should remain flexible and proactive in managing travel, compliance, and workforce planning.

Court Temporarily Halts Termination of Somalia TPS

A federal district court in Massachusetts has issued a temporary stay preventing the termination of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, which was previously scheduled to end on March 17, 2026.

As a result:

• Somalia TPS beneficiaries remain authorized to work.
• Protection from removal continues during the period of the stay.
• The stay will remain in effect while the court considers the merits of the case.

The litigation, African Communities Together v. Noem, challenges DHS’s decision not to extend TPS for Somalia. Additional legal developments are expected, and the government may seek to overturn the stay.

Impact: Employers with Somalia TPS employees should maintain current work authorization records and monitor USCIS updates for further guidance. Given the litigation-driven nature of TPS, continued uncertainty is expected, making proactive compliance tracking and communication with affected employees essential.