Temporary (Non-immigrant) Work Visas

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Employers with workers on employment-based visas, such as H-1B and L-1, could face workforce disruptions after the Department of State (DOS) announced that Non-Immigrant Visa (NIV) applicants should schedule visa interview appointments in their own country of nationality or residence, with limited exceptions, effective Sept. 6, 2025.

If an NIV applicant’s application is based on…

  • The U.S. government has begun “continuous vetting” of more than 55 million valid visa holders — a process that could result in revocations and deportations if violations are found.
  • The initiative applies broadly to all visa categories, including employment-based, student and visitor visas.
  • Employers should prepare for potential workforce disruptions, maintain compliance and
…

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) February 2025 policy memorandum and July 2025 policy manual update highlight the agency’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts.

Generally, USCIS will no longer exempt classes or categories of foreign nationals from potential enforcement except in the exercise of prosecutorial discretion. One update describes the circumstances under which USCIS issues…

The House of Representatives passed budget reconciliation bill H.R. 1, entitled “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” that includes significant changes to the immigration fee structure. As the Senate prepares its version of the reconciliation bill, many of the immigration-related provisions are unchanged from the one passed by the House.

H.R. 1 aims to initiate…

E-Verify is an internet-based system through which employers electronically confirm the employment eligibility of their employees. Designed to ensure that employers hire individuals authorized to work in the country, E-Verify compares information provided by employees on Form I-9 with government records. Over time, the system has evolved to adapt to changing legislative environments, technological advancements…

USCIS has released an update to its Policy Manual, bringing significant changes to regulations on the TN nonimmigrant visa classification and perhaps some employers’ practices. For instance, because of changes to the Scientific Technician/Technologist category, employers in the healthcare industry may need to consider other visas for certain roles.  

Eligibility

To be eligible for…

  • New student visa interviews are temporarily paused as of 05.27.25 to implement enhanced social media and security screening.
  • Applicants with existing appointments are likely not affected, but new applicants will face delays.
  • Consular officers are instructed to scrutinize applicants’ online presence, including private or limited social media accounts or the lack of any online
…
  • 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
…

The U.S. State Department’s “Catch and Revoke” program uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor foreign nationals, particularly student visa holders. The program aims to identify individuals who express support for Hamas, Hezbollah, or other U.S.-designated terrorist organizations through social media activity or participation in protests and revoke their visas. To date, approximately 300 foreign nationals…