USCIS has now issued new policy guidance of I-485 on public charge review.

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) has prepared three helpful domestic travel guides. Please review the PDF that applies to your current immigration status.

On July 17, 2026, DHS formally published the final F-1 rule. Under the current implementation schedule, the new rule is expected to take effect on September 15, 2026.

The FY 2027 H-1B filing window has barely closed, and already a bigger shift is taking shape behind the scenes. The Department of Labor is rewriting the rules that govern how employers sponsor EB-2 and EB-3 green cards through PERM labor certification, and this could be the most significant change to the program in over two decades.

According to the Department of State Visa Bulletin, employment-based Final Action Dates include modest forward movement in selected categories for August 2026. For Adjustment of Status filings, please confirm the USCIS monthly filing chart; unless USCIS indicates otherwise, applicants must use Chart A, "Final Action Dates."

According to the Department of State Visa Bulletin, employment-based Final Action Dates include several important updates for July 2026. USCIS has announced that all employment-based Adjustment of Status filings for July 2026 must use Chart A, "Final Action Dates."

The U.S. Department of State has now introduced a new B-1 classification for certain “Specialized Trainers.” This update may be relevant to employers involved in manufacturing, technology deployment, equipment sales, industrial projects, or cross-border commercial arrangements.

One of the most common misconceptions about the O-1B visa is that it is reserved for celebrities, Grammy winners, internationally famous performers, or artists with major awards. In reality, many successful O-1B applicants have built their careers through years of professional work, industry recognition, media coverage, and meaningful contributions to their artistic field—without ever winning a world-famous award. We recently helped an independent electronic music artist obta

The memo emphasizes that the standard, preferred pathway to permanent residency is through consular processing at a U.S. embassy abroad. Therefore, allowing an applicant to adjust their status is considered a discretionary privilege rather than an absolute right.

Under current policy and practice, travel is not automatically prohibited, but the timing and manner of travel are critical. The following three scenarios are generally the more prudent options to consider.

As this year’s H-1B lottery has concluded, even if you were not selected in this year’s H-1B lottery, there are still alternative immigration options available. Depending on the individual’s background and the employer’s situation, it is often possible to continue staying and working in the U.S. through other viable pathways. Below is a brief overview of several common options for your initial consideration: 1. J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Suitable for researchers, visiting scho

The L-1B visa is a vital tool for transferring "Key Personnel" who possess proprietary, specialized knowledge essential to a company’s U.S. operations. It is important to demonstrate that the irreplaceable value of these experienced technical experts, proving that specialized expertise is often more critical than formal academic degrees. The Profile Our client is an Asian manufacturing company that recently established a new production facility in the United States. To begi

A Recent Case A foreign national holding a B-1/B-2 visa stayed in the U.S. for six months and lawfully extended their stay for another six months, spending a full year in the U.S. Twelve months after the departure, the same individual attempted to re-enter the U.S. However, he was not afforded an opportunity to explain the circumstances regarding the prior stay. U.S. Customs and Border Protection summarily revoked the B visa and ordered expedited removal. The individual was r

The H-1B season is upon us again! As we approach the registration window, we want to ensure you are well-prepared for this year’s H-1B cycle, especially given the recent H-1B lottery policy reforms. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued the final rule introducing a wage-based weighted random selection system for cap-subject H-1B registrations. The rule will take effect on February 27, 2026 and is expected to apply to the FY2027 H-1B registration season (ty

As many of you prepare for international travel during the upcoming holidays, we want to share a brief update that may affect those who will need H-1B visa stamping to reenter the U.S. In the past few days, we’ve seen a number of U.S. consulates move or push back H-1B visa interviews originally set for mid-December 2025 and later. Consular officials have indicated that these adjustments are related to the implementation of enhanced social-media vetting, which requires additio

On December 4, 2025, USCIS announced that the maximum validity period for certain categories of Employment Authorization Documents from five years to no more than 18 months per issuance. The change is intended to strengthen screening and background checks for foreign nationals seeking authorization to work in the U.S.Effective for all applications filed or pending on or after December 5, 2025, the 18-month limit applies to: Refugees Asylees Individuals granted withholding of

While many believe an L-1A visa requires managing a large team, the "Functional Manager" category allows senior leaders to qualify by overseeing a critical business function rather than a high headcount. This specialized category is designed for senior leaders who oversee a core, essential function of the business, often Finance, Legal, R&D, or Market Strategy, rather than a direct staff of professional employees. The Profile Our client is a prominent manufacturing enterpri

I. Presidential Proclamation On September 19, 2025, the White House issued a Proclamation, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers. It provides that: Effective 12:01 a.m. EDT, September 21, 2025. A $100,000 payment must accompany any new H-1B petition. Applies only to individuals outside the U.S. seeking H-1B admission. The Department of State will issue visas only if the payment has been made. Valid for 12 months, unless extended. Future reforms will raise pre

In recent months, we've seen U.S. immigration enforcement place more emphasis on worksite compliance, particularly around Form I-9 audits and surprise visits from ICE. For many employers, especially those newer to the U.S. system, these events can escalate quickly and catch teams unprepared. Whether triggered by routine audits, employee complaints, or suspected unauthorized hiring, actions taken by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can disrupt business operations