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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule that changes how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) handles immigration applications with invalid signatures. Published in the Federal Register on May 11, 2026, the rule gives USCIS broader authority to reject or deny immigration benefit requests if signature problems are identified, even after an application has been accepted for processing.

What the New USCIS Signature Rule Does

Under the new regulation, USCIS may:

  • Reject a filing that lacks a valid signature; or
  • Deny the filing after acceptance and adjudication if the signature is later determined to be invalid.

If USCIS denies a filing because of an invalid signature, the agency may:

  • Keep the filing fees;
  • Treat the case as fully adjudicated; and
  • Consider the applicant ineligible for the requested immigration benefit.

The rule takes effect July 10, 2026, and applies to immigration benefit requests submitted on or after that date.

Why DHS Issued the Rule

According to DHS, USCIS has experienced increasing issues involving questionable or fraudulent signatures on immigration forms. The agency stated that adjudicators have applied signature policies inconsistently and that applicants have misunderstood how USCIS handles deficient signatures.

The interim final rule codifies existing USCIS policy dating to 2018, which already allowed denial of filings with deficient signatures after acceptance. DHS states the regulation is intended to standardize enforcement and clarify officer authority.

Examples of problematic signatures identified by USCIS include:

  • Copy-and-paste signatures;
  • Digitally generated signatures;
  • Signature stamps; and
  • Signatures applied by unauthorized individuals.

What Counts as a “Valid Signature”

The rule emphasizes that, in most cases, USCIS requires a handwritten signature.

However, USCIS has clarified that:

  • Scanned copies of original wet-ink signatures remain acceptable;
  • Faxed or photocopied versions of originally signed documents are permitted; and
  • Certain electronic signatures are valid only in limited USCIS-authorized online filing situations.

By contrast, the following may be considered invalid:

  • Auto-generated signatures;
  • Signatures produced by signature software;  
  • Stamped signatures; and
  • Pasted signature images reused across forms.

This distinction may be relevant for companies (and HR departments) that rely heavily on digital workflows.

Why This Matters for Immigration Applicants

Previously, many applicants assumed that once USCIS accepted a filing and issued a receipt notice, signature issues were no longer a major concern.

This rule changes that assumption.

Under the updated framework, USCIS may revisit the signature validity and deny a case after processing has begun. This may create several practical risks, including:

1. Filing Fees May Be Lost

If USCIS denies rather than rejects a filing at intake, applicants may lose filing fees. Employment-based petitions, adjustment of status applications, and family-based filings can involve substantial government filing costs.

2. Delays Could Become More Severe

A denial based on signature deficiencies may require refiling, which could affect:

  • Priority dates;
  • Employment authorization timelines;
  • Work authorization validity; and
  • Lawful presence considerations.

3. Employer Compliance

Companies sponsoring foreign workers should closely review internal immigration filing procedures. Reliance on automated signatures or inconsistent document execution practices may expose petitions to denial.

Considerations for Employers

The rule may prompt employers to implement stricter quality-control procedures.

Practices to consider include:

  • Verifying all required signature fields before filing;
  • Maintaining records of original wet-ink signatures;
  • Avoiding signature software unless explicitly authorized;
  • Reviewing USCIS form instructions carefully for each filing type; and
  • Training staff on signature compliance standards.

Businesses using remote-signature workflows for immigration filings should assess whether they should be revised to reduce the risk of avoidable filing errors.

The Bigger Regulatory Trend

The signature rule reflects a broader DHS trend toward stricter procedural enforcement in immigration adjudications.

Recent USCIS and DHS actions have increasingly focused on:

  • Fraud detection;
  • Filing completeness;
  • Identity verification;
  • Biometrics expansion; and
  • More rigid eligibility standards.

The agency appears to be moving toward a system where technical filing defects may carry material consequences, even where the underlying immigration benefit request would otherwise be approvable.

The Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have announced expansions to screening and vetting across consular visa processing and USCIS immigration benefit adjudications. These developments reflect a coordinated federal approach that has increased scrutiny for nonimmigrant visa applicants abroad and individuals seeking immigration benefits within the United States.

1. Department of State’s Expanded Visa Screening

  • Effective March 30, 2026, DOS expanded online presence and social media review to additional nonimmigrant visa categories.
  • The covered categories now include A-3, C-3 (if a domestic worker), G-5, H-3, H-4 dependents of H-3, K-1, K-2, K-3, Q, R-1, R-2, S, T, U, H-1B, H-4, F, M, and J nonimmigrant visas.
  • Applicants in affected categories must disclose five years of social media handles and set all social media profiles to “public” to complete visa adjudication.

2. USCIS Strengthened Vetting for Immigration Benefits

  • On March 30, 2026, USCIS announced strengthened vetting measures after reporting identifying gaps that resulted in approvals of naturalization, green card, and other immigration benefit applications. USCIS determined that these gaps presented potential national security or public safety concerns.
  • Earlier this year, USCIS issued policy memoranda placing holds and enhanced review on:
    • Pending asylum and benefit applications from 39 designated high‑risk countries; and
    • Certain Diversity Visa–based adjustment of status applications.
  • Employment authorization is subject to enhanced screening and vetting. USCIS may place holds on applications, conduct additional background and security checks, or limit validity periods for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) as part of its strengthened review, particularly for applicants from designated high‑risk countries or categories. For additional information, refer to the related USCIS alert regarding reduced validity periods for newly issued employment authorization documents.

Considerations for Applicants

  • Heightened scrutiny for visa applicants: Nonimmigrant visa applicants, particularly those in newly affected categories, may see closer review of online activity and social media during the adjudication process.
  • Accuracy and consistency: Information provided on visa applications, immigration filings, prior entries, and social media should be truthful, complete, and consistent. Errors or omissions may result in delays, denials, or further investigation.
  • Processing times: Enhanced screening by both DOS and USCIS may result in increased administrative processing, requests for evidence, or application holds, particularly for applicants from designated higher‑risk countries.
  • Ongoing vetting: USCIS has indicated that vetting continues beyond initial entry into the United States. Asylum, adjustment of status, and naturalization applications may be subject to additional review.
  • Early consultation with immigration counsel: Given the increased focus on security screening, background checks, and social media review, individuals and employers are may wish to consult with immigration counsel to assess their circumstances, prepare documentation, and address potential issues proactively.

On March 31, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received enough electronic registrations to meet the H-1B numerical cap for fiscal year 2027 (FY 2027), including the advanced degree exemption (commonly known as the “master’s cap”). This marks the conclusion of the initial H-1B registration and selection period — the first conducted under USCIS’s new wage-level-weighted process favoring higher offered compensation. Petitioners will have at least 90 days from April 1, 2026, to file H-1B petitions for selected beneficiaries.

USCIS has notified all prospective petitioners whose beneficiaries were selected in the lottery. Registrants’ online accounts will display their registration status, allowing petitioners to confirm selections. Only those with selected registrations may proceed with filing an H-1B cap-subject petition for FY 2027.

H-1B Petition Filing Period

USCIS opened the filing window for H-1B cap-subject petitions on April 1, and petitioners may file only for selected beneficiaries based on a valid registration submitted during the registration period. USCIS noted that the latest date for receipt of cap-subject H-1B petitions is June 30, 2026.

New Form I-129 and Supporting Documents

Petitioners should follow USCIS requirements to avoid rejections or delays. Petitioners must include a copy of the beneficiary’s H-1B selection notice with each cap-subject petition. In addition, as of April 1, USCIS will only accept the Feb. 27, 2026, edition of Form I-129 (Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker). Compared to prior versions, the new Form I-129 mandates more detailed information about the offered H-1B position and requires that the information be consistent with the Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code selected during the cap registration process. As another new mandate, USCIS requires that petitioners include “evidence of the basis of the wage level selected” during the registration process.

Petitioners must still submit all other required supporting evidence as outlined in the Form I-129 instructions to establish eligibility for petition approval. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in rejection, a request for evidence or denial of the petition.

$100,000 Additional Fee Requirement

Under the Presidential Proclamation on Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, certain H-1B petitions filed on or after Sept. 21, 2025, must be accompanied by an additional $100,000 payment as a condition of eligibility.

USCIS has confirmed that petitions that cannot be approved as an in-country change of status will be subject to the $100,000 as a condition of approval, unless the agency has approved a national interest exception from the employer in connection with this requirement.

Takeaways

The FY 2027 H-1B filing process presents increased compliance requirements. With stricter documentation requirements and evolving policy considerations, both employers and applicants should proceed with caution and precision. Timely preparation and careful review of eligibility requirements may support a successful H-1B petition.

On Jan. 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a new policy memorandum—PM-602-0194: Hold and Review of USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens From Additional High-Risk Countries—that has had wide-ranging effects on immigration benefit processing. This guidance builds on the expanded travel restrictions under Presidential Proclamation 10998 (PP 10998), Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States, signed on Dec. 16, 2025, and effective Jan. 1, 2026.

PM-602-0194 directs USCIS officers to take three main actions:

  1. Place a holdon all pending benefit applications, subject to certain exceptions and regardless of entry date, for nationals of the countries listed in PP 10998, pending a comprehensive review;
  2. Conduct a comprehensive review of all policies, procedures, and screening and vetting processes for benefits requests for nationals of countries listed in PP 10998; and
  3. Conduct a comprehensive re-review of approved benefit requests for nationals of countries listed in PP 10998 that were approved on or after Jan. 20, 2021.

Now that almost 60 days have passed since the announcement, applicants may be seeing the effects of the policy in delayed applications, and in some cases requests for additional evidence that USCIS might consider in determining whether to exercise favorable discretion.

Who Is Impacted?

The hold and comprehensive review now apply to nationals of all countries listed in PP 10998. This expanded list includes (among others):

  • Afghanistan
  • Angola
  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Benin
  • Burkina Faso
  • Burma (Myanmar)
  • Chad
  • Côte d’Ivoire
  • Cuba
  • Dominica
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Gabon
  • The Gambia
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Malawi
  • Mali
  • Mauritania
  • Niger
  • Nigeria
  • Senegal
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Tanzania
  • Togo
  • Tonga
  • Turkmenistan
  • Venezuela
  • Yemen
  • Zambia
  • Zimbabwe

Individuals with Palestinian Authority–issued or endorsed travel documents are also included. This means the policy applies based on nationality, country of birth, or citizenship acquired through Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) programs.

Exceptions

PM-602-0194 allows USCIS to continue adjudicating certain categories of benefit requests, including:

  • Individuals with a pending Form I-90, Form N-565, and Form N-600;
  • “Benefit requests that are a priority for law enforcement and where [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] has requested that USCIS take adjudicative action to uphold public safety or national security;”
  • Form I-765, categories(c)(11) for an alien paroled into the United States in the public interest or temporarily for emergency reasons and (c)(14) for an alien granted deferred action only when the request comes from law enforcement because the noncitizen is assisting law enforcement;
  • Initial Form I-765, category (c)(8) for an asylum applicant (with a pending asylum application) who filed for asylum on or after Jan. 4, 1995;
  • Benefit requests for individuals whose entry would serve a United States national interest;
  • Benefit requests for athletes or members of an athletic team, including the coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives for the purpose of participating in the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the secretary of state;
  • Benefit requests, or associated underlying benefits, for any programs that are terminated or discontinued as a result of an executive order, proclamation, Federal Register notice, or directive issued by the president, the secretary of homeland security, or the USCIS director; and
  • Decisions to automatically terminate automatic or ancillary benefit requests related to when an individual is granted legal permanent resident status or becomes a naturalized citizen.

The exceptions to the policy are limited and may not apply to many applicants. Moreover, almost 60 days have passed since this policy was announced and there are no further updates as to when these applications may go back into normal processing. Without any meaningful update from USCIS, applicants from the affected countries may continue to experience significant delays and/or additional USCIS scrutiny in the adjudication of their cases, irrespective of whether the applicant or beneficiary is inside or outside the United States.

USCIS has finalized a major restructuring of the H-1B cap selection process. In the upcoming FY 2027 H-1B cap season, the traditional random lottery will be replaced with a wage weighted selection system, giving candidates with higher DOL prevailing wage levels (Level I–IV) proportionally greater odds of selection.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the rule in the Federal Register on Dec. 29, 2025, with an effective date of Feb. 27, 2026. The FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period opens on March 4, 2026, and runs through March 19, 2026. USCIS should make the selections by March 31, 2026, and the FY 2027 H-1B cap petitions filing period will run from April 1, 2026, through June 30, 2026.

As such, employers will have a relatively short time period to enter their prospective H-1B employees into the drawing. Companies may wish to assess their affected employee population, prepare data for immediate entry once the registration period opens, and assemble all relevant documentation to enhance compliance and minimize the risk of adverse government action.

This GT Alert summarizes the key changes, risks, and shares employer considerations.

Continue reading the full GT Alert.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced at the end of January that the FY 2027 H‑1B cap registration period will run from March 4, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET to March 19, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. ET. The agency will require employers and representatives to register each beneficiary electronically through a USCIS online account and to pay the $215 registration fee.

Key Points

  • Employers without an existing USCIS online account must create an organizational account before submitting registrations.
  • Employers may only submit beneficiary information and registrations on or after March 4, 2026.
  • USCIS intends to issue selection notifications by March 31, 2026, through users’ online accounts. If registrations exceed the annual cap, USCIS will select from unique beneficiaries with properly submitted registrations.
  • A petitioner may file an H‑1B cap‑subject petition only if the beneficiary’s registration is selected.

New to FY2027 H-1B Cap

  1. Weighted Selection System: USCIS has confirmed that it will implement a weighted selection process, prioritizing beneficiaries with higher skill levels and higher wages.
  1. Possible $100,000 Supplemental Fee: Under a Sept. 19, 2025, presidential proclamation, petitioners may be required to pay an additional $100,000 fee if the individual they are sponsoring is outside the U.S. The petitioner must pay the fee after USCIS selects their registration and before they file the H‑1B petition. This supplemental fee does not apply to beneficiaries who are already in the U.S. and have maintained lawful status.

On Jan. 9, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will publish a final rule increasing USCIS fees for premium processing.

Premium processing provides expedited processing for certain case types for an additional government filing fee.

In the announcement, USCIS stated that the premium process fee increase reflects the amount of inflation from June 2023 through June 2025. The USCIS Stabilization Act established the authority for DHS to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. USCIS stated that the government will use the revenue generated by the fee increase to provide premium processing services, make improvements to adjudication processes, respond to adjudication demands, including processing backlogs, and otherwise fund USCIS adjudication and naturalization services. USCIS last adjusted premium processing in February 2024.

Effective March 1, 2026, requests for premium processing (Form I-907) must include the following updated fees:

FormPrevious FeeNew Fee
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, H-2B or R-1 nonimmigrant status$1,685$1,780
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, all other available Form I-129 classifications: E-1
E-2
E-3
H-1B
H-3
L-1A
L-1B
LZ
O-1
O-2
P-1
P-1S
P-2
P-2S
P-3
P-3S
Q-1
TN-1
TN-2		$2,805$2,965
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, employment-based classifications: E11
E12
E13
E21 (NIW and non-NIW)
E31
E32
EW3		$2,805$2,965
Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status, requesting: F-1
F-2
J-1
J-2
M-1
M-2		$1,965$2,075
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, for certain eligible applications (OPT and STEM-OPT Classifications)$1,685$1,780

The new fees will take effect for filings postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.

On Dec. 2, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum PM-602-0192 directing officers to place an adjudicative hold on

  1. all pending asylum applications (Form I-589), regardless of nationality, and;
  2. most pending immigration benefit requests – such as green cards, adjustment of status, travel documents, naturalization, etc. – filed by nationals of 19 countries designated as “high risk,” regardless of the entry date.

For nationals from above-mentioned 19 “high-risk” countries, the memorandum also mandates a comprehensive re-review of certain previously approved or pending cases if the applicant entered the United States on or after Jan. 20, 2021. This may include re-interviews, additional vetting, identity verification, or further security-based screenings.

The 19 “high risk” countries include: Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.

This policy is grounded in Presidential Proclamation 10949 (June 4, 2025), Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, as known as the “travel ban,” and Executive Order 14161 (Jan. 20, 2025), Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorist and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, both of which emphasize enhanced national security review of foreign nationals from certain jurisdictions.

Why the Administration Implemented this Policy

The Memorandum cites two recent incidents involving foreign nationals accused of planning and attempting terrorist activity after entering the United States. USCIS notes that gaps in prior screening measures necessitate a broad reassessment of individuals from certain regions.

Impact on Affected Applicants

USCIS acknowledges that the hold and re-review requirements will slow adjudications, even significantly, but asserts that the delay is justified given the national security rationale. Applicants who have pending immigration benefits request may expect delays. The Memorandum also allows USCIS to require interviews for applicants who ordinarily would not need one. Though this policy does not automatically deny applications, adjudications will not resume until USCIS completes its review and issues implementing guidance. Applicants should also be aware that identity-related issues will receive heightened scrutiny. Inability to establish identity or inconsistent documentation may independently trigger ineligibility under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Practical Considerations for Affected Applicants

Nationals of the 19 “high-risk” countries may wish to:

  • Prepare for extended adjudication timelines;
  • Expect possible requests for re-interviews or additional evidence;
  • Ensure identity documents are complete and consistent; and
  • Consult counsel before international travel, especially where advance parole or re-entry permits are on hold.

Asylum applicants of any nationality should:

  • Monitor for updated operational guidance, which USCIS states will be issues within 90 days; and
  • Acknowledge that no asylum applications will move forward until USCIS lifts the hold.

Takeaways

This Memorandum represents the broadest national-security-based pause on immigration benefits since the “travel ban era.” USCIS states that the hold will remain in effect until lifted by a superseding directive from the USCIS director. It also emphasizes that this policy does not create individual rights or enforceable benefits. Given the scope of the pause, the enhanced security vetting it requires, and its overlap with prior travel ban, this policy may influence adjudications for a considerable period. USCIS has committed to issuing additional operational guidance within 90 days, which will determine how these reviews are implemented in practice and how quickly any movement on pending cases may resume.

In the latest podcast episode of the Immigration Insights Series, hosts Kate Kalmykov and Jennifer Hermansky, shareholders in Greenberg Traurig’s Immigration & Compliance Practice, address the latest challenges and opportunities facing EB-5 investors and regional centers in 2025.

With the Sept. 30, 2026, RIA grandfathering deadline approaching, a surge of investors are seeking to lock in the $800,000 minimum investment before anticipated changes.

The discussion covers the nuances of using loans—including third-party and affiliate financing—and the heightened scrutiny from USCIS on lawful sources of funds.

Kate and Jen also explore installment funding, outlining recent shifts in adjudication trends, aggressive denials, and best practices for documentation and investor preparedness.

The episode concludes with strategies for contesting denials, navigating appeals, and the broader implications for projects and regional centers.

Click here to listen to the full episode.

This week USCIS announced that in a continued effort to upgrade the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) program, states may now use SAVE to verify the U.S. citizenship status of those voting in federal elections.

States may now use SAVE to verify voters’ citizenship status using the last four digits of the voter’s Social Security number, as opposed to the previously required nine digits. USCIS spokesman Matthew Tragesser commented, “By allowing states to efficiently verify voter eligibility, we are reinforcing the principle that America’s elections are reserved exclusively for American citizens. We encourage all federal, state, and local agencies to use the SAVE program.”

In response to Executive Order 14248, “Preserving and Protecting the Integrity of American Elections,” this SAVE upgrade aims to allow registered users to create a SAVE case without needing a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identifier or complete Social Security number. If a voter cannot be identified using their Social Security number, the user agency is prompted to resubmit the search using a DHS-issued identification number or direct the voter to the Social Security Administration to update their record. 

SAVE’s voting initiatives, combined with SAVE’s status verifications for new benefit requests, have together resulted in more than 205 million status verifications in 2025 compared to the 25 million verification queries for all of 2024.

To date, 26 states already have, or are in the process of establishing, a memorandum of agreement for voter verification with SAVE. SAVE is an online service administered by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that provides immigration status and U.S. citizenship information to federal, state, local, territorial, and tribal agencies. SAVE enables registered user agencies to make decisions for applicants seeking benefits and licenses. Approximately 1,200 agencies nationwide use SAVE to support their benefit eligibility and licensing determinations. This includes agencies such as those that provide health care benefits, social security benefits, education grants and assistance, state driver’s licenses and ID cards, and occupational and professional licenses.