by James Pinedo | Feb 9, 2026 | Human Resources Services
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that premium processing fees will increase for certain employment-based and nonimmigrant filings effective March 1, 2026. The increases, required by statute and tied to inflation, will impact employers,...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 5, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. DHS and DOL Announce Supplemental H-2B Visa Allocation Federal Court Pauses Termination of Haiti Temporary Protected Status...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 4, 2026 | Immigration Updates
The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation for Haiti was scheduled to terminate on February 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m., pursuant to the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) Federal Register Notice 90 FR 54733 (Nov. 28, 2025). However, on February 2, 2026, the...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 3, 2026 | Global
Our January global immigration recap includes the latest on France’s new requirements for multi-year residence permit applicants, Malaysia’s updated Employment Pass salary policy, practical considerations for Brazil’s business visitor visa, and guidance on obtaining...
by James Pinedo | Feb 2, 2026 | Global
A recent Constitutional Court decision has brought welcome clarity — and relief — to thousands of South Africans living abroad. If you hold (or believe you may hold) dual citizenship, here’s what you need to know and what steps to take next. 1. The...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 30, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. CBP Proposed Updates to I-94 and ESTA Data Collection Myanmar TPS Termination Put on Hold by Court ICE Crackdown...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 30, 2026 | Immigration Updates
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced the opening dates and key updates for the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration process, including the implementation of a new weighted selection system. FY 2027 H-1B Initial Registration Period The...
by James Pinedo | Jan 28, 2026 | Investor Visas
Newly released USCIS FOIA data provides the clearest picture yet of how EB-5 petitions are actually being adjudicated in the post-RIA era—and the results confirm meaningful prioritization, uneven timing, and evolving visa risk across categories. Read on for five key...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 22, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. U.S. Department of State Global Visa Wait Times DOL Updates H-2A Range Worker Wage Rate U.S. Department of State Global...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 15, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. U.S. Suspends Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries February 2026 Visa Bulletin U.S. Visa Bond Requirements DHS...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 14, 2026 | Immigration Updates
On January 14, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced an interim final rule eliminating the one-year foreign residency requirement for certain religious workers in R-1 nonimmigrant status. The change allows thousands of religious workers...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 14, 2026 | Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of State has announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. The move, confirmed by a State Department spokesperson and outlined in internal guidance to consular officers,...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 13, 2026 | Immigration Updates
At a Glance Employment-based (EB) Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing largely remain unchanged for February 2026. Key exception: Advancement in the EB-3 Professional and Skilled Worker category for all countries except China and India. Final Action Dates advance...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 9, 2026 | Immigration Updates
Overview The FY 2027 H-1B cap season will introduce significant structural changes to the selection process and increased financial risk for some employers. DHS will replace the random H-1B lottery with a wage-based weighted selection system. USCIS is expected to open...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 8, 2026 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. DHS Finalizes Wage-Weighted H-1B Cap Selection Rule USCIS Ends SSN Requests Through EAD Applications TPS Maintained for...
by Frank Alvarado | Jan 6, 2026 | Global
Our December global immigration recap includes the latest on Australia’s Subclass 186 TRT Visa requirements, Ireland’s Employment Permit salary thresholds, India’s new e-Production Investment Visa, and Saudi Arabia’s business visa approval trends. Australia – New Work...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 23, 2025 | Immigration Updates
Recent changes in U.S. visa vetting procedures have expanded social media and online presence reviews for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. These enhanced reviews are contributing to significant processing delays at U.S. embassies and consulates...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 23, 2025 | Immigration Updates
The Trump administration has finalized a rule that replaces the randomized H-1B lottery with a weighted selection system that favors higher-paid roles. The rule takes effect February 27, meaning it will be in place before the upcoming spring H-1B cap season,...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 20, 2025 | Immigration Updates
The Department of Labor (DOL) has taken the first formal step toward revising wage rules for the H-1B nonimmigrant and PERM labor certification programs. A proposed rule has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review—an early but meaningful...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 17, 2025 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. U.S. Travel Ban Expanded: Full and Partial Country List Gold Card Program: Speed vs. Stability States Challenge $100,000...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 16, 2025 | Immigration Updates
Last Updated: December 16, 2025 The White House has issued an expanded update to the U.S. travel ban, adding several new countries to both the full travel ban and partial restriction categories. Below is an up-to-date list reflecting the December 16, 2025...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 15, 2025 | Immigration Updates
December 2025 Introduction Twenty U.S. states have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the September 19 Presidential Proclamation and related federal agency policies that impose a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B nonimmigrant petitions. The states seek...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 11, 2025 | Immigration Updates
For audio listeners, you can listen to our audio version of the News Digest here. You can also join our Immigration News Digest Newsletter here. CBP Proposes Major Expansion of ESTA Data Collection DOS Expands Social Media Review to All H-1B and H-4 Applicants Holiday...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 11, 2025 | Immigration Updates
Distinguishing Proclamation-Based Entry Exemptions from USCIS Adjudication Pauses for Nationals of High-Risk Countries Summary Recent government updates have created confusion regarding whether dual nationals—such as a Canadian–Iranian individual—are subject to the...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 10, 2025 | Individual Services
Key insights from discussions with a former Deputy Chief of IPO. 1. USCIS’ Current View of EB-5 EB-5 is not viewed negatively within USCIS. Increased scrutiny reflects agency-wide trends, not hostility. 2. Mandamus: Use Strategically IPO has a dedicated team for...
