15 Sep 2026

NewsFlash! Court Postpones Effective Date of Rule Ending Duration of Status

A federal district court in Massachusetts has postponed the effective date of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) final rule that would eliminate the duration-of-status (D/S) framework for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and certain I nonimmigrants. The rule, titled “Establishing a Fixed Time Period...

08 Sep 2026

If I qualify for transition protection under the new F-1 fixed-period-of-admission rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, what could happen if I travel internationally after that date?

Answer If the new rule takes effect as scheduled, an F-1 student who departs the United States after September 15, 2026, generally may be readmitted under the new fixed-period-of-admission framework. If admitted, the student may receive an I-94 with a specific admit-until date rather than D/S....

01 Sep 2026

Possible Changes to H-4 Spouse Employment Authorization

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering a proposal that could significantly affect certain H-4 dependent spouses of H1B nonimmigrant workers. Listed under Regulatory Information Number 1615-AD14, the proposal would eliminate the regulatory basis for eligible H-4 spouses to request employment authorization under the...

01 Sep 2026

I am currently in F-1 status with an I-94 marked D/S. Under the new F-1 fixed-period-of-admission rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, will I automatically receive a new I-94 expiration date on that date?

Answer Generally, no. Under the new rule's transition provisions, an F-1 student who is maintaining valid duration-of-status admission when the rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, ordinarily will not automatically receive a new date-specific I-94 on that date. However, this transition protection will be limited....

25 Aug 2026

Under the new F-1 fixed-period-of-admission rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, what should I do if I need more time to complete my F-1 program after my I-94 expires?

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...

22 Aug 2026

September 2026 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the September 2026 Visa Bulletin. Cutoff dates across the employment-based and family-based categories generally hold steady from August 2026, with no forward movement or retrogression this month, but the DOS continues to caution that retrogression, or categories...

18 Aug 2026

NewsFlash! USCIS Issues Sweeping New Public Charge Guidance Effective September 18, 2026

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...