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...

05 Dec 2025

DOS to Review Social Media Account of All H1B and H-4 Visa Applicants

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced 03.Dec.2025 that it will expand mandatory social media screening to include all H1B visa “stamp” applicants and their H-4 dependent family members, effective 15.Dec.2025. The expansion extends an online presence review requirement that previously applied only to student...

07 Nov 2025

State Department Expands Health-Based Grounds for Visa Denials

The Trump Administration has directed the U.S. Department of State to issue new guidance directing consular officers to consider a significantly expanded range of health conditions when evaluating visa applications, including common chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and mental health conditions. Although...

25 Sep 2025

Possible Government Shutdown as of 01.Oct.2025

Congress must pass a spending bill to extend government operations before October 1, 2025, or else a temporary shutdown of the federal government will go into effect. This would be the first shutdown since Trump was reelected. Security, CBP, and Vital Functions Continue The U.S. government never...

18 Sep 2025

EB5 Unreserved Category Reaches Limit for Current Fiscal Year

The U.S. Department of State announced on September 16, 2025, that all available immigrant visas in the employment-based, fifth preference (EB5) unreserved category have been issued for fiscal year (FY) 2025. Accordingly, consular posts temporarily cannot issue immigrant visas in this category and the U.S....

18 Aug 2025

USCIS Updates Policy Manual for Family-Based Immigrant Petitions

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Policy Manual was recently updated, providing guidance related to family-based petitions. This update explains and clarifies eligibility criteria, filing procedures, interview scheduling, and other issues. Most notable is the USCIS decision to issue notices to appear (NTAs) –...

30 Jun 2025

DOS Clarifies National Interest Exception Process for Travel Ban

Following the implementation of the travel ban implemented on 09.Jun.2025, many foreign nationals have been left with questions regarding their eligibility for visa issuance and admission to the United States. While the proclamation restricts entry for many, it includes provisions for exceptions, including a national...