The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the monthly Visa Bulletin for February 2026. Until February 1, the January 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 that are current during the applicable month (i.e., categories […]
Author: Foster
USCIS Premium Processing Fee Increases Effective March 1, 2026
12 Jan
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to increase USCIS premium processing fees under the USCIS Stabilization Act. This Act authorizes DHS to adjust premium processing fees every two years to account for inflation. Key Effective Date: March 1, 2026 Any petitions postmarked on or after […]
Upcoming Webinar: Preparing for H-1B Cap Season and H-1B Updates in 2026
6 Jan
by Foster, on Webinar
This webinar will provide HR professionals with knowledge and updates on H-1B specialty occupation work visas, including the requirements for an H-1B and employer obligations, the new December 23, 2025 rule regarding H-1B cap registrations for the H-1B cap lottery, and the H-1B Proclamation. 📌 Topic: Preparing for H-1B Cap […]
USCIS to Implement a Weighted Selection System for H-1B Cap Petitions
23 Dec
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
On December 23, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new rule to revise the H-1B cap-registration selection process. The new final rule replaces a purely random selection with a system that will increase the probability of selection for higher-paid foreign nationals. The new framework will weigh entries based on the Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) wage levels I–IV. Registrations assigned to wage level IV will enter the H-1B lottery pool four times, while level III will enter three times, level II will […]