Evolving
USCIS updated policy manual guidance for diplomatic officer lists
USCIS removed references to the State Department's discontinued Diplomatic List from its official policy manual.
A Diplomat or Foreign Government OfficialAdjustment of Status
Evolving
The government is moving to limit birthright citizenship for children of certain non-citizen parents
An executive order instructs federal agencies to withhold recognition of U.S. citizenship for children born in the U.S. to diplomats, foreign officials, and parents who traveled to give birth.
G / NATO International Organization & NATO StaffB-2 Tourism & Medical TreatmentA Diplomat or Foreign Government Official
Evolving
Applications can now be denied without a request for more documents first
USCIS used to often write and ask for missing paperwork. Now a thin or incomplete filing may be denied outright.
Adjustment of StatusIR2 / CR2 / IR5 Other Immediate RelativesF-1 Academic StudentIR1 / CR1 Spouse of a U.S. CitizenH-1B Specialty OccupationL-1 Intracompany TransfereeAsylumTPS Temporary Protected Status
Evolving
USCIS officers will now suggest optional DNA testing if family relationship evidence is insufficient
USCIS policy now requires officers to inform applicants that voluntary DNA testing is an option when primary family relationship documents are unavailable or insufficient.
F2A Spouse / Minor Child of a Green Card HolderIR2 / CR2 / IR5 Other Immediate RelativesF4 Sibling of a U.S. CitizenF3 Married Child of a U.S. CitizenF2B Unmarried Adult Child of a Green Card HolderF1 Unmarried Adult Child of a U.S. CitizenAdjustment of Status
Evolving
Temporary permission to live and work in the US is being ended for several groups
Two programs are being wound down: parole (temporary permission to enter and stay, often for people from specific countries) and Temporary Protected Status, or TPS (protection for people whose home country is unsafe). Courts are still reviewing several of these decisions, so dates and protections keep shifting.
TPS Temporary Protected StatusDACA
Evolving
A $100,000 fee for some new H-1B work visas is in place and still being fought in court
Employers filing certain brand-new H-1B petitions have to pay a $100,000 charge on top of the usual costs. A court case may still change that. Separately, the H-1B lottery now favors higher-paid jobs instead of picking at random.
H-1B Specialty OccupationEB-3 Skilled Workers & ProfessionalsE-3 Australian Specialty OccupationEB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability
Evolving
Green card and citizenship applications are getting a closer look
Two things are changing. For green cards, officers are looking harder at whether you might need government benefits like Medicaid or food assistance — a review called "public charge." For citizenship, the civics test is longer again and background checks now cover more of your history.
Adjustment of StatusEB-3 Skilled Workers & ProfessionalsEB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional AbilityIR1 / CR1 Spouse of a U.S. CitizenK-1 Fiancé(e)F2A Spouse / Minor Child of a Green Card HolderEB-1 Priority WorkersIR2 / CR2 / IR5 Other Immediate Relatives
Evolving
How asylum interviews work is changing, including who can be in the room
Asylum is protection for people who fear harm in their home country. USCIS is changing how those cases are handled — some skip the interview and go straight to immigration court, and attorneys are no longer allowed to sit in on the interview. Guidance is still being updated, so check before your appointment.
Asylum
Evolving
A court has temporarily paused new TPS work permit rules and asylum fee penalties
If you have TPS or a pending asylum application, a federal court order temporarily blocks the government from cutting short work permits or penalizing you for unpaid asylum fees while legal challenges move forward.
TPS Temporary Protected StatusAsylum
Evolving
Student and exchange visas would get a fixed end date instead of "as long as you study"
Today, F (students), J (exchange visitors) and I (foreign media) are admitted for "duration of status" — you may stay as long as you keep studying or working in your program. The change would give you a specific expiration date and require you to apply for more time. It is not final yet.
F-1 Academic StudentJ-1 Exchange VisitorI Media & Journalist
Evolving
USCIS has filled all available H-1B work visas for fiscal year 2027
USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the annual limits for both the standard H-1B cap and the U.S. advanced degree exemption for fiscal year 2027.
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Evolving
USCIS updated signature rules for immigration applications and benefit requests
USCIS has issued updated policy manual guidance clarifying valid signature requirements when filing immigration benefit forms.
Adjustment of Status
Evolving
Some people living in the US must now sign up with the government and carry proof
An old law says most non-citizens who are here without a visa or green card have to register with immigration authorities, give fingerprints, and carry the paperwork with them. It was rarely used before; it is now being enforced, and there are fines or charges for not doing it. Details are still developing.
DACAB-2 Tourism & Medical TreatmentTPS Temporary Protected StatusB-1 Business Visitor
Evolving
USCIS updated how long R-1 religious workers must stay outside the US after five years
New guidance clarifies the requirement to remain outside the US after reaching the five-year maximum stay on an R-1 visa.
R-1 Religious Worker
Evolving
Applications from people from travel-ban countries were put on hold
If you are a citizen of one of the countries on the US travel restriction list, your visa or immigration case may have been paused — in some cases even after it had already been approved. The list of countries grew in January 2026.
Adjustment of StatusAsylumB-2 Tourism & Medical TreatmentIR1 / CR1 Spouse of a U.S. CitizenF-1 Academic StudentIR2 / CR2 / IR5 Other Immediate RelativesB-1 Business VisitorDV Diversity Visa Lottery
Evolving
TPS and work permits for people from Lebanon are automatically extended through November 2026
If you currently have Temporary Protected Status from Lebanon, your status and work permit are automatically valid through November 27, 2026.
TPS Temporary Protected Status
Evolving
USCIS clarifies rules for requesting temporary protection from deportation through deferred action
USCIS updated its policy guidance to emphasize that temporary protection from deportation is reserved for extraordinary cases.
DACA
Evolving
Extra seasonal worker visas (H-2B) were released for 2026
H-2B visas are for temporary, non-farm seasonal jobs — think landscaping, hospitality or seafood processing. There is a yearly limit, and a one-time batch of extra visas was added above that limit for the 2026 season.
H-2B Seasonal Non-Agricultural Worker
Evolving
New government filing fees are in effect and go up a little every year
Applying for asylum, a work permit, TPS or parole now costs money that it did not before, and those amounts rise automatically with inflation each year. Budget for the increase if you file more than once.
TPS Temporary Protected StatusAsylumHumanitarian ParoleF-1 Academic StudentIR1 / CR1 Spouse of a U.S. CitizenL-1 Intracompany TransfereeH-1B Specialty OccupationDACA
Concluded
Consulates now check applicants' social media before issuing a visa
When you apply for a visa, officers may review your public online accounts and posting history. This used to apply to a few categories; it now covers most of them. This one is settled — expect it as a normal part of the process.
O-1 Extraordinary AbilityL-1 Intracompany TransfereeH-1B Specialty OccupationF-1 Academic StudentB-2 Tourism & Medical TreatmentM-1 Vocational StudentB-1 Business VisitorJ-1 Exchange Visitor
Concluded
USCIS updated policy guidance for VAWA self-petitioners
USCIS updated its policy manual to clarify eligibility rules and requirements for survivors applying for protection under the Violence Against Women Act.
T Victim of Human TraffickingU Victim of Criminal ActivityAdjustment of StatusEB-4 Special Immigrants
Concluded
USCIS updated green card filing guidance for professional athletes using the online labor portal
If you are a professional athlete seeking an employment-based green card, USCIS has updated its policy manual to align with the Department of Labor's electronic labor certification system.
EB-2 Advanced Degree / Exceptional AbilityEB-3 Skilled Workers & Professionals
Concluded
USCIS updated rules on reusing photos for immigration identity documents
USCIS updated its policy guidance on when it can reuse previously submitted photographs for official identity cards.
TPS Temporary Protected StatusAdjustment of StatusAsylumDACA
Concluded
USCIS clarified rules for collecting biometrics from people in custody
USCIS issued updated policy guidance on obtaining fingerprints and photos for individuals in custody who have pending immigration requests.
AsylumTPS Temporary Protected StatusAdjustment of StatusDACAHumanitarian ParoleT Victim of Human Trafficking
Concluded
USCIS updated how long work permits remain valid for certain categories
USCIS changed the maximum length of time work permits are valid for certain applicant categories starting December 5, 2025.
TPS Temporary Protected StatusRefugeeAdjustment of StatusHumanitarian ParoleDACAAsylum
Concluded
USCIS clarifies U status granted inside the US is not an admission for general green card applications
USCIS updated its policy manual to reflect a Supreme Court ruling that receiving U status while inside the United States does not count as a lawful admission for section 245(a) green card applications.
U Victim of Criminal ActivityAdjustment of Status
Concluded
Work permit renewals no longer extend automatically while you wait
If your work permit is up for renewal, the old automatic grace period is gone. Here is what changed and how people are handling the gap.
DACAAsylumTPS Temporary Protected Status
Concluded
USCIS updated guidance on qualifying marriage relationships for family-based green cards
If you are applying for a green card based on marriage, USCIS updated its policy rules on how officers evaluate qualifying spousal relationships.
Adjustment of StatusK-3 Spouse Awaiting I-130F2A Spouse / Minor Child of a Green Card Holder