On Friday, July 17, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the agency had received enough H-1B cap petitions to meet both the H-1B regular cap allotment of 65,000 numbers and the H-1B U.S. advanced degree exemption (“master’s cap”) allotment of 20,000 numbers for the federal government’s fiscal year 2027, […]
Visa Bulletin – August 2026 Limited Forward Movement Continues
21 Jul
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the monthly Visa Bulletin for August 2026. Until August 1, the July 2026 Visa Bulletin remains in effect. The Visa Bulletin contains the DOS’s Final Action Dates chart, which lists the priority dates that are current in each respective category, the categories […]
A Major Shift in U.S. Student Visa Policy: DHS Ends Duration of Status
17 Jul
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a major change to the U.S. immigration system by replacing the longstanding “Duration of Status” (D/S) framework with a fixed period of admission for many foreign students, exchange visitors, and media representatives. The final rule, titled Establishing a Fixed Time Period of […]
For 250 years, America has been shaped by people from around the world who brought their talents, dreams, and determination to help build the nation we know today. In this special video, some Foster LLP attorneys share their reflections on the enduring connection between America’s history and its immigration story, […]