Posts

Sep 02, 2026 • Visa News • 3 min read

Family Green Card Dates Jump Years in the September Visa Bulletin — F3 Moves 29 Months, F4 Moves 26

The September 2026 Visa Bulletin froze every employment-based category except EB-4 while family-sponsored final action dates surged by more than two years in F3 and F4.

Visa Bulletin Green Card EB-2 Policy Updates

Sep 02, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

New Form I-864 Lets USCIS Pull Your Sponsor's Credit Report — and a Credit Freeze Can Stall the Case

USCIS published a new 08/24/26 edition of Form I-864 with no grace period. The new version adds an authorization for USCIS and the State Department to obtain the sponsor's consumer credit information.

USCIS Green Card Policy Updates

Sep 02, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

Religious Workers Get Two Developments at Once: EB-4 Advances Two Months and USCIS Publishes New R-1 Guidance

EB-4 was the only employment-based category to move in the September 2026 Visa Bulletin, advancing two months, while USCIS launched a new resource page for R-1 religious workers and their petitioning employers.

Visa Bulletin USCIS Green Card

Sep 02, 2026 • Visa News • 3 min read

State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwide for Public Charge Training — No End Date Announced

The State Department has paused immigrant visa interviews at every U.S. embassy and consulate so consular officers can be retrained on public charge screening. Applicants are receiving cancellation notices with no rescheduling timeline.

Visa News Green Card Processing Times Policy Updates

Aug 31, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

BIA Overrules Arrabally: Advance Parole Travel Can Now Trigger the 10-Year Bar

In Matter of Delcarmen-Lara (Aug. 13, 2026), the BIA overruled Matter of Arrabally and held that travel on advance parole is a departure that can trigger the three- and ten-year unlawful presence bars.

Green Card Adjustment of Status Advance Parole USCIS

Aug 31, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

DHS Proposal to Kill the 60-Day Grace Period Clears the White House - H-1B, L-1, O-1 and TN Workers All Covered

A DHS proposed rule eliminating the 60-day grace period for nonimmigrant workers cleared White House regulatory review on August 27, 2026. Nothing changes until it is published and finalized.

H-1B USCIS Policy Updates Green Card

Aug 31, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

DHS Proposes a $103,265 Fee on Every H-1B Cap Petition — Comments Close Sept. 24

DHS published a proposed rule on Aug. 25, 2026 that would add a $103,265 fee to every H-1B cap-subject petition, including the U.S. master's cap. Comments close Sept. 24, 2026.

H-1B USCIS NIW Fees

Aug 31, 2026 • Policy Updates • 3 min read

Duration of Status Ends Sept. 15: F-1 Students Get a Fixed Four-Year Clock, and OPT Now Requires a USCIS Extension

DHS's final rule ending duration of status takes effect Sept. 15, 2026: F-1 students get fixed admission up to four years, and post-completion OPT and STEM OPT now require an extension of stay filed with USCIS.

F-1 OPT USCIS NIW

Aug 31, 2026 • Visa News • 3 min read

EB-2 India Is Unavailable Through Sept. 30 — And EB-1 India and EB-5 Could Follow Before the Fiscal Year Ends

The September 2026 Visa Bulletin leaves all employment-based Final Action Dates unchanged, keeps EB-2 India unavailable through Sept. 30, and warns that EB-1 India, EB-2 and EB-5 unreserved may exhaust before the fiscal year ends Oct. 1.

Visa Bulletin EB-2 NIW Green Card

Aug 31, 2026 • Immigration News • 3 min read

Federal Court Blocks USCIS Adjudication Holds Class-Wide — Applications From 39 Listed Countries Must Move Again

On Aug. 24, 2026 the Northern District of California enjoined USCIS policy memoranda PM 602-0192 and PM 602-0194 and certified a class covering nationals of 39 proclamation-listed countries, ordering USCIS to resume normal adjudication.

USCIS Processing Times Adjustment of Status Court Ruling