Answer Under the new rule, an F-1 student who needs additional time generally may request an extension of stay from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). This may require a Form I-20 issued or endorsed by the designated school official, a timely extension application, the...
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is scheduled to publish a proposed rule in the Federal Register on August 25, 2026, proposing a new $103,265 fee for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including petitions eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The fee would be in addition...
A federal judge has struck down the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, ruling that it was contrary to law and exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority. The ruling requires affected cases to receive individualized review, but the government...
DHS has submitted a proposed regulation to OIRA that would eliminate, or potentially significantly limit, the current 60-day grace period available to certain nonimmigrant workers following termination of employment. The details remain unclear because the proposed rule has not yet been published. Watch for full...
On August 18, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued extensive new policy guidance explaining how the agency will apply the public charge ground of inadmissibility. The guidance implements the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule published on July 20, 2026, which...
Answer No. Under the new F-1 fixed-period-of-admission rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, the Form I-20 and the I-94 will serve different purposes. An F-1 student admitted under the new rule will need to maintain a valid Form I-20 and comply with all...
The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued a precedential decision on August 13, 2026, holding that a departure from the United States under advance parole is a “departure” for purposes of the three- and ten-year unlawful-presence bars. In Matter of Delcarmen-Lara, 29 I&N Dec. 830...
A new DHS rule, scheduled for publication Aug. 11, would allow USCIS to mandate e-filing for forms available online for at least 180 days. USCIS must provide 60 days’ notice, and hardship waivers would be available. Online filing could mean either completing the form through...
Effective September 9, 2026, employers with 50+ U.S. employees, more than half of whom hold H1B or L1 status, must pay the $4,000 H1B or $4,500 L1 biometric fee on all extension-of-status petitions, including same-employer extensions. More info....
On August 5, 2026, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a Policy Alert revising its guidance regarding the evidence required with initial benefit requests and the circumstances under which officers may issue, or decline to issue, Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and Notices of...
