Neutralized, source-linked updates from nomad, tax, migration, and remote-work sources.
43 items
On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memo stating that adjustment of status is a matter of discretion and administrative grace, effectively requiring immigrants to complete the process outside the United States. This represents a significant change to how green card applications are processed for individuals currently residing in the US.
The annual H-1B visa lottery is proceeding for the first time under new Trump administration rules that require sponsoring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for successful petitions. The changes represent a significant cost increase for employers sponsoring highly skilled foreign workers.
The US Department of Labor's Office of Foreign Labor Certification issued guidance on May 14, 2026, clarifying that employers hiring foreign workers for commercial motor vehicle roles must comply with existing English language proficiency requirements. The guidance aims to ensure consistency in labor certification processes for these positions.
US visa wait times have decreased and a FIFA Pass expedited appointment program is in place as the 2026 FIFA World Cup approaches. These measures are intended to facilitate international visitor entry into the United States for the tournament.
The US Department of State has issued updated implementation guidance on the Visa Bond Program, formalizing and expanding exemptions for FIFA World Cup 2026 travelers, including players and select fans. The list of designated countries subject to the bond requirement remains unchanged, but the guidance clarifies how the program applies to these travelers.
The June 2026 Visa Bulletin shows Final Action Dates for Worldwide EB categories unchanged, China EB-1 and EB-2 unchanged with EB-3 advancing, and India EB-1 and EB-2 retrogressing while EB-3 advances. USCIS guidance on which chart to use for filing was pending at time of publication.
DHS has issued an interim final rule formalizing USCIS authority to reject or deny immigration benefit requests that contain invalid signatures. The rule applies even after a filing has been accepted, meaning cases can be denied at any stage if a signature deficiency is identified.
The Department of Homeland Security has proposed raising the filing fee for Form I-246, Application for a Stay of Deportation or Removal, from $155 to $755. This would be the first fee adjustment since 1989 if the rule is finalized.
New internal USCIS guidance instructs immigration officers not to approve any application that has not completed expanded FBI background checks. The requirement applies to pending applications involving fingerprint submission, including naturalization, permanent residency, and family-based sponsorship petitions.
A U.S. District Court for the Southern District issued a stay on May 1, 2026, blocking the termination of Yemen's Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation, which had been scheduled to end on May 4, 2026. The termination had been ordered by the Secretary of Homeland Security, who determined Yemen no longer met the conditions for TPS designation.
The US Department of State has published the May 2026 Visa Bulletin, with USCIS confirming that employment-based applicants must use the Final Action Dates chart. No meaningful movement is reported across employment-based categories, representing a pause after several months of advancement.
USCIS has received sufficient petitions to fill the second allocation of 27,736 returning worker H-2B visas for FY 2026, covering employment start dates from April 1 through April 30. No further petitions will be accepted under this allocation.
An interim final rule effective May 29, 2026 implements immigration fees from the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Act of 2025, including an Annual Asylum Fee. Asylum seekers who do not pay the fee within 30 days face specified consequences under the new rule.
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