- The United States continues to attract the largest share of international graduate students, particularly in STEM fields, but its dominance may be slipping.
- Other countries are expanding their post-study work options and streamlining their immigration pathways to compete for the world’s best and brightest.
- U.S. employers seeking to secure international talent should act early
USCIS Announces Initial FY 2026 H-1B Cap Selection: What Employers Need to Do Next
Takeaways
- The initial drawing includes registrants under both the 65,000 regular cap and the 20,000 master’s cap.
- Employers and attorneys have been notified of selection results through their myUSCIS accounts.
- H-1B petitions must be filed between 04.01.25 and 06.30.25 to use the cap selection.
USCIS announced on Mar. 31, 2025, that it has completed the…
What’s Changing to H-1B Cap Gap for F-1 Students?
By Amy L. Peck on
Takeaways
- The new DHS rule extends the H-1B Cap Gap period from 10.1 to 04.1.
- F-1 students with pending or approved H-1B petitions benefit from this extension.
- Employers must adjust their processes to comply with the new rule.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule (89 FR 10354) that…
What DOJ’s New Focus on Immigration Enforcement Means for Businesses
The Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced its intention to expand the use of criminal statutes to address illegal immigration. This move underscores the administration’s commitment to enforcement initiatives that hold employers accountable for compliance failures.
This policy shift may result in companies facing criminal charges in cases that the DOJ has not previously…
DOS Announces Dropbox Eligibility Reduced to 12 Months
After quietly updating consular websites, signaling a significant change to Visa Interview Waiver (“dropbox”) eligibility requirements, on Feb. 18, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) officially announced the reversion to pre-COVID eligibility standards, reducing the window for dropbox eligibility from 48 months to 12 months. This update follows reports of Visa Application Centers turning away…
U.S. Visa Dropbox Eligibility Reverts to Pre-COVID Standard, More Applicants Will Need In-Person Interviews
The U.S. Department of State has unexpectedly updated Consular websites with revised eligibility requirements for Visa Interview Waiver (“dropbox”) appointments.
Effective immediately, dropbox eligibility is limited to applicants renewing a visa in the same nonimmigrant classification that expired within the past 12 months. While no official government announcement has been made, Visa Application Centers (VACs)…
H-1B Cap Update: USCIS Announces FY2026 H-1B Cap Registration Period and Massive Fee Hike
The H-1B cap season for Fiscal Year 2026 is quickly approaching. USCIS announced on Feb. 5, 2025, that the registration period for FY 2026 will open at noon (EST) on Friday, March 7, 2025, and close at noon (EST) on Monday, March 24, 2025, and that the registration fee will go up significantly. Employers should…
Venezuelan TPS Update: What Employers Should Know About 2023 Designation Not Extended
Announced in a Federal Register notice published Feb. 5, 2025, Secretary Kristi Noem decided not to extend the 2023 Venezuela TPS designation. That designation will expire April 7, 2025.
DHS Secretary Noem announced on Jan. 29, 2025, that she is vacating former DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ Jan. 17, 2025, redesignation of Temporary Protected Status…
President Trump’s Immigration-Related Executive Orders: Potential Impact on Employers
By Otieno B. Ombok & Marissa A. Prianti on
Posted in Biden Administration, Citizenship, Compliance and Enforcement, Department of State, Deportation, EADs, Executive Orders, Fees and Penalties, Green Cards, H-1B, H-4, Humanitarian Programs, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Immigration Litigation, Other Non-immigrant Visas, Students / CPT / OPT / STEM, Supreme Court, Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas, TPS, Travel (General), Trump Administration, US Immigration, USCIS
Following his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, President Trump issued a number of immigration-related Executive Orders (EOs) sure to have impact on employers and their business operations. So far, the focus in the media has been on border security, asylum, refugees, removal of undocumented aliens (deportation) and birthright citizenship. However, there are other aspects covered…
H-1B Visas: Will Trump 2.0 Be a Turning Point for Employers Needing Skilled Foreign Workers?
Skilled immigration is making headlines with renewed focus on the H-1B nonimmigrant visa program, the most popular employment-based visa for foreign professional workers. View our full legal update and insights here.