Visas & Green Cards
Department of State Issues Warnings on Potential Visa Category Freezes
Employment visa categories may freeze before September 30 as demand exceeds available slots, but the 75-country pause no longer applies.
September 24, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
Visa categories, green card pathways, priority dates, adjustment of status, consular processing, and the filing and processing changes that affect them.
Visas & Green Cards
Proposed H-1B Changes Draw Industry Criticism From Tech Companies
Tech firms cut H-1B sponsorships 38.5% after new wage-weighted lottery favored higher-paid workers over entry-level candidates.
September 23, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
High-Skilled Worker Program Faces Major Cost Increase Proposal
DHS proposes $103k fee and DOL proposes $14k wage increases for H-1B visa hires, stacking on existing costs and exempting only universities and nonprofits.
September 23, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
H-1B Visa Fees Proposed at $103,265 Under New Administration Rules
DHS proposes a $103,265 fee on H-1B petitions filed by private employers, affecting 76% of small sponsoring companies most significantly.
September 22, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
Immigrant Visa Processing Restrictions Lifted for Some Nations After Court Order
Federal court strikes down 75-country immigrant visa ban; 43,000 applicants denied solely due to nationality can now request individualized reconsideration.
September 22, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
75-Country Visa Ban Partially Vacated in Federal Court Decision
Federal judge voids 75-nation immigrant visa ban; 43,000 denied applicants can reapply under individualized review.
September 21, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
State Department Warns High-Skilled Workers: Employment Green Cards Could Freeze
This could freeze approvals in those categories until October, when new annual allocations begin.
September 21, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
Unused Employment Visa Numbers Push From Family-Sponsored Category
Unused family visa numbers automatically boost the employment-based limit each year, delivering 46,000 extra visas in FY 2026.
September 21, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
Only Employment Category to Move Forward Is Religious Workers and Special Immigrants
EB-4 special immigrants—including religious workers—moved forward in September 2026, but still face years of waiting due to the category's small allocation.
September 20, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
Employment-Based Green Card Categories Mostly Frozen in September 2026 Bulletin
Employment-based green cards remained frozen in September 2026, except for EB-4 religious workers, as visa numbers depleted and federal policies slowed processing.
September 20, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
EB-5 Unreserved Category at Risk of Becoming Unavailable by Month’s End
Indian EB-5 investors cannot access unreserved visas until October 1, 2026; reserved categories remain open and may offer an alternative path.
September 19, 2026
Visas & Green Cards
EB-1 India Faces Potential Retrogression Before September 30, 2026
EB-1 India may become entirely unavailable before fiscal year end if visa allocation runs out; applicants with priority dates after October 15, 2022 cannot…
September 19, 2026