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The H-1B visa classification was established as a nonimmigrant, temporary worker program to aid U.S. employers unable to fill highly specialized positions (those requiring a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent). The regulations were designed to protect U.S. as well as H-1B employees by implementing procedures to ensure wages and duties are nondiscriminatory. These regulations include U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) certification that the position being offered to a foreign national meets the established prevailing wage through a Labor Condition Application or “LCA.” ...
The immigration landscape has changed considerably since President Trump re-took office in January 2025, and with the recent expansion of travel restrictions and an immigration benefit pause as well as the partial suspension of immigrant visa issuance, it appears 2026 will be no different.
Expanded Travel Ban and Immigration Benefit Suspension
In June 2025, the administration announced entry restrictions for nationals of certain countries, including a full travel ban for nationals of 12 countries and a partial ban for nationals of seven more. In December 2025, U.S. Citizenship ...
H-1B and H-4 visa applicants have joined the growing list of visa categories subject to the Department of State’s “online presence review.” Starting December 15, 2025, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, including those applying for an extension, will be subject to a review of their online presence, including social media accounts, as part of the visa application process. Applicants will be required to update their social media accounts to “public” and may expect delays in appointment availability and visa issuance. This announcement follows the same operational change in ...
On September 19, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation purporting to add a new $100,000 fee to certain H-1B applicants. Ambiguity in the Presidential Proclamation and subsequent guidance issued by USCIS, CBP, and the Department of State left many questions unanswered. Additional guidance issued by USCIS on October 20, 2025, has provided some clarity and potential good news for some H-1B employers and beneficiaries. Below are some frequently asked questions answered by the updated guidance.
- Who is subject to the fee?: The new fee applies in a number of different ...
On September 19, 2025, the White House issued a Presidential Proclamation, restricting certain foreign nationals from entering the United States in H-1B status without payment of a $100,000 fee. The Proclamation also restricts the approval of certain H-1B petitions by USCIS without payment of the new fee.
On October 3, 2025, a group of affected organizations and employers filed a federal lawsuit in the Northern District of California challenging the Proclamation. The lawsuit alleges the Presidential Proclamation exceeds the limits of executive authority under the Immigration ...
The White House issued a Presidential Proclamation on September 19, 2025 that could have significant impacts on H-1B employers and beneficiaries, alike. As of 12:01 a.m. EST on Sunday, September 21, 2025 (the proclamation’s effective date), the proclamation restricts the entry of any foreign national into H-1B status without a new $100,000 fee.
Details on how the proclamation will be implemented and/or applied are somewhat unknown and little guidance has been provided by the administration. What seems clear is H-1B workers who are outside the United States on the ...
The Department of State has long advised Foreign Nationals to apply for visa stamping in their country of nationality or residence, but in practice, many Consulates regularly allowed Third Country Nationals (“TCNs”) the opportunity to apply for visas in countries that may be more convenient. However, effective September 6, 2025, the Department of State updated its instructions, directing visa applicants to schedule their interviews exclusively in their country of nationality or residence.
Nationals of countries where the U.S. government is not conducting routine ...
On June 4, 2025, President Trump issued an Executive Order (“the Order”) restricting the ability of nationals from nineteen (19) countries from entering the United States. The following countries are subject to what the Order terms “Full Suspension of Entry”, meaning all entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants is suspended: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. The following seven (7) countries are subject to Partial Suspension of Entry: Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo ...
The Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) has announced plans to terminate a parole program that permitted more than 500,000 foreign nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela to enter the United States and obtain Employment Authorization Documents (“EAD”). The Trump administration entered an executive order on January 20, 2025, directing DHS to terminate the Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans program (more commonly known as “CHNV”). As part of an announcement last week, DHS formally released a rule in the Federal Registry ...
In what some might consider a parting gift from the Biden administration, the U.S. Department of State revised the J-1 Exchange Visitor Skills List, resulting in removal of foreign nationals from more than thirty countries. Foreign nationals who come to the United States on a J-1 visa to participate in a cultural exchange program can find themselves subject to a two-year home residency requirement if their field of study is listed on the Exchange Visitors Skills List for their home country. Following completion of a J-1 program, those subject to the home residency requirement must ...