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 ...
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 ...
In an effort to address the ongoing Employment Authorization Document (more commonly known as an “EAD”) processing backlog, USCIS recently announced it would lengthen the maximum validity period for certain EAD categories to five years. The change is welcome news to many employers and foreign nationals who may have experienced gaps in work authorization due to processing delays over the last several years.
One of the EAD categories affected by the change is pending Adjustment of Status Application beneficiaries. Adjustment of Status is the final step in the Green Card process ...
Since its introduction in 2001, the Premium Processing service offered by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has seen notable changes. Premium Processing was originally introduced as an option for certain immigration benefit applicants and petitioners to request expedited 15-day processing for an additional fee. The fee to request Premium Processing was originally set at $1,000 but has increased several times since the program’s inception, and was most recently elevated to $2,500.
On March 30, 2022, USCIS published a final rule outlining numerous ...