13 May 2026

June 2026 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the June 2026 Visa Bulletin. There is some forward movement in select employment-based categories, while certain employment-based categories for India retrogress. All cutoff dates listed below refer to the final action chart (i.e., Chart A), unless otherwise...

12 May 2026

My family’s and my immigrant visas were all approved, with me as the principal applicant and my spouse and children as derivative beneficiaries. Can my derivative family members enter the United States using their immigrant visas before I do?

Answer No. The primary (or principal) applicant must enter before or at the same time as derivative family members with visas. (12.May.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...

04 May 2026

Reclassification of Medical Marijuana Offers Limited Immigration Relief

The Trump administration has announced a significant shift in federal drug policy, reclassifying state‑licensed medical marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III under the federal Controlled Substances Act (CSA). This action, taken by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) pursuant...

20 Apr 2026

Murthy Law Firm Observations on $100,000 H1B Fee: Practice Reality vs Published Guidance

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued guidance clarifying who will be subject to the $100,000 fee imposed under the 19.Sep.2025, executive proclamation addressing certain H1B filings. While the published guidance outlines specific circumstances in which the fee should apply, the Murthy Law...

16 Apr 2026

I am an Indian national and my immigrant visa interview was scheduled at the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai, but I live very far away. Can the interview be moved to another consulate closer to me?

Answer Unfortunately, the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai is the only consular post in India that processes and issues immigrant visas. (14.Apr.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...

14 Apr 2026

May 2026 Visa Bulletin

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released the May 2026 Visa Bulletin. There is little to no forward movement for most employment-based categories. All cutoff dates listed below refer to the final action chart (i.e., Chart A), unless otherwise specified. Filing Charts for May 2026 The...

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...