The DOS published a temporary final rule amending the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services to establish a new fee for expedited nonimmigrant visa interview appointments.
New USCIS Policy Memorandum Addresses Adjustment of Status Adjudications
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, outlining a change to the adjustment of status process under Form I-485.
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H-1B to B-1/B-2 Change of Status After Termination: What Workers, Employers Should Know
In recent months, stakeholders have observed a policy shift regarding the strategy of filing a Form I-539 application to change status from H-1B to visitor status (B-1/B-2) within the 60-day grace period following termination.
Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Their Country of Residence — Implications for Employers and Employees
On Sept. 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued updated guidance directing that nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants (E, F, H, J, L, O, etc.) must generally schedule their visa
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Navigating Visa Administrative Processing: A Guide for Foreign National Employees and HR Professionals
For foreign national employees and the HR professionals who support them, few immigration experiences are more frustrating than hearing the words “administrative processing” after a visa interview. This additional review
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USCIS Updates Guidance for F/M Nonimmigrant Student Classification
USCIS updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding when students may be eligible for extensions of optional practical training (OPT) for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. This
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Interview Requirement Waiver Available for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants
Effective Jan. 1, 2024, certain nonimmigrant visa applicants are now eligible for a waiver of the visa interview requirement. The U.S. Department of State recently announced the following nonimmigrant categories
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Report on the US Department of State’s FY 2023 Visa Operations
On Nov. 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released a press release highlighting its visa operations achievements in the federal fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023) from October 2022
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Policy Update to Foreign Residency Requirement for J-1 Exchange Visitors
On Oct. 24, 2023, U. S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued updated policy guidance to its Policy Manual regarding the two-year foreign residence requirement for the nonimmigrant exchange visitor
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USCIS Introduces New Guidance for EADs Based on Compelling Circumstances
Tucked away in the Code of Federal Regulations is a statute that provides employment authorization to nonimmigrants – such as holders of E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, or O-1 visas –
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