For Individuals Archives - Murthy Law Firm

14 Jan 2026

DOS Pausing Visa Processing for Citizens of 75 Countries

In a significant development for international travel, a U.S. Department of State (DOS) memorandum has revealed a plan to indefinitely freeze visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective 21.Jan.2026. This move represents a major expansion of the current administration’s immigration and border policies.According to...

14 Jan 2026

Can a student transfer their SEVIS record during the 60-day grace period after completing a program?

Answer Yes, a student may initiate a SEVIS transfer during the 60-day grace period following program completion. However, initiating the transfer during the grace period does not extend the five-month deadline. The new program still must begin within five months of the student’s last date of...

07:26 / F-1 / FAQs / For Employers / For Individuals / Student / Worker

14 Jan 2026

Do we still get automatic extension of H-4 EADs based on applying for a renewal?

Answer Unfortunately, the rule allowing for the automatic extension of EADs based on a pending renewal was eliminated in October 2025. EAD renewal applications filed on or after 30.Oct.2025 normally are not granted automatic extensions. (13.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the...

07:22 / FAQs / For Families / For Individuals / H-4 Dependents / Nonimmigrant Family / Worker

13 Jan 2026

February 2026 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin. There is little-to-no movement in the upcoming visa bulletin. All cutoff dates listed refer to the final action chart (i.e., Chart A), unless otherwise specified. Visa Bulletin Summary Employment-Based, First Preference (EB1) Category In the...

07:53 / EB5 Investor / Employment Based / For Employers / For Individuals / Investor / NewsBrief / Resident / Visa Bulletin

09 Jan 2026

USCIS Premium Processing Fees to Increase, Effective 01.Mar.2026

On Monday, 12.Jan.2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to publish a final rule in the Federal Register that will increase the premium processing fees. This fee increase will go into effect on 01.Mar.2026.Per the final rule, premium processing fees that are currently...

14:22 / Employment Based / Family Based / For Employers / For Families / For Individuals / Homeland Security / NewsBrief / Resident / Student / USCIS News / Visitor / Worker

08 Jan 2026

Less may be More in Filing I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions

A person who is a conditional permanent resident (CPR) as the result of a marriage to a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident is required to file a petition to remove conditions on residence (form I-751) within ninety days of the expiration of the conditional...

07:12 / Family Based / For Families / For Individuals / Immigrant Family / NewsBrief / Resident

06 Jan 2026

How does the five-month rule work for transferring an F-1 SEVIS record to a new school?

Answer Under SEVIS regulations, a student’s new academic program must begin within five months of the earlier of (1) the student’s program end date or (2) the SEVIS transfer release date. In practice, this means the five-month clock usually starts on the student’s last date of...

18:39 / FAQs / For Individuals / Student

06 Jan 2026

I was recently scheduled for an interview regarding my pending I-485. My co-workers who already have employment-based green cards were never asked to go for an interview. Is this a cause for concern?

AnswerThe USCIS is now requiring in-person interviews for the vast majority of I-485 applicants. So, the fact that you have been scheduled for an interview, is not unusual and does not necessarily mean there’s cause for concern. As for your co-workers, this interview requirement is...

18:37 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident / USCIS News

06 Jan 2026

If I get a second master’s degree, will that improve my chances of approval for an EB1(a) petition?

Answer Typically, having multiple master’s degree would not have any significant impact on the odds of approval of a case. (06.Jan.2026)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more FAQs here. Copyright ©...

18:34 / Employment Based / FAQs / For Individuals / Resident

05 Jan 2026

Recent Changes and Requirements for Visa Waiver Program Travelers

The Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a pre-screening tool that most visa waiver program (VWP) travelers must obtain before boarding a flight or ship bound for the United States. While ESTA has been a fixture of VWP travel for years, recent policy changes...

07:53 / For Individuals / Homeland Security / NewsBrief / Travel / Visitor

Murthy Law Firm

DOS Pausing Visa Processing for Citizens of 75 Countries

Can a student transfer their SEVIS record during the 60-day grace period after completing a program?

Do we still get automatic extension of H-4 EADs based on applying for a renewal?

February 2026 Visa Bulletin

USCIS Premium Processing Fees to Increase, Effective 01.Mar.2026

Less may be More in Filing I-751 Petition to Remove Conditions

How does the five-month rule work for transferring an F-1 SEVIS record to a new school?

I was recently scheduled for an interview regarding my pending I-485. My co-workers who already have employment-based green cards were never asked to go for an interview. Is this a cause for concern?

If I get a second master’s degree, will that improve my chances of approval for an EB1(a) petition?

Recent Changes and Requirements for Visa Waiver Program Travelers

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