The Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have announced expansions to screening and vetting across consular visa processing and USCIS immigration benefit adjudications.
Continue Reading DOS and USCIS Expand Immigration Screening Across Visas and Benefits
The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond pilot program for B1/B2 visitor visas, affecting nationals from dozens of countries around the world.
On Feb. 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution security alert following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran.
Continue Reading State Department Issues Worldwide Caution: What Visa Applicants and US Travelers Need to Know
The U.S. State Department has announced a temporary halt on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, effective Jan. 21, 2026. This pause comes as the department reassesses its
Continue Reading U.S. State Department Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for 75 Countries – What Applicants and Businesses Need to Know
In a new procedural development, U.S. consular posts have started forwarding B-1 in lieu of H-1B visa applications to the Department of State (DOS)’s Visa Office in Washington, D.C., for
Continue Reading US Consulates Now Requiring Additional Review in Washington for B-1 in Lieu of H-1B Visa Applications
The federal government shutdown is disrupting some immigration functions. Most significantly, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s FLAG system is down, preventing the filing of LCAs, prevailing wage requests, and
Continue Reading Government Shutdown: What Employers Need to Know About Immigration Services
The line between permissible business visitor activities and unauthorized employment has come under heightened scrutiny. A recent large-scale raid – where foreign nationals were found working on B-1/ESTA entries – demonstrates how costly missteps can be.
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
Continue Reading Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Their Country of Residence — Implications for Employers and Employees
Recent changes to the Foreign Affairs Manual offer crucial clarity for employers and foreign nationals in the hemp industry, ensuring that lawful hemp-related activities are no longer automatically treated as marijuana involvement for visa purposes. This update supports workforce mobility and reduces the risk of visa denials for those working in the fast-growing global hemp sector.
Continue Reading New Foreign Affairs Manual Guidance: Legal Hemp Activities No Longer Grounds for Visa Inadmissibility
In late August 2025, Department of State (DOS) guidance cables were released providing employers with valuable insight into how the June 2025 travel restrictions operate in practice.
Continue Reading Travel Ban Impacts on U.S. Employers and Foreign National Employees: New Insights from Recently Released State Department Guidance