The O-1 Visa is a temporary U.S. work visa granted to individuals who possess extraordinary ability or outstanding achievements in their field of expertise, such as sciences, arts, education, business, sports, film, or television. Designed to attract top global talent, the O-1 visa is one of the main pathways for professionals who have reached the highest level of recognition in their careers. Divided into two main categories — O-1A and O-1B — the visa covers a wide range of

The P visa category is intended for internationally recognized artists, athletes, and entertainment professionals who wish to work temporarily in the United States. It is a nonimmigrant visa, but one that allows dual intent, meaning that the holder may later apply for lawful permanent residence (green card) without it being considered misrepresentation or fraud by U.S. authorities. These visas enable individuals with extraordinary abilities to participate in athletic competit

A new directive issued by the Trump administration significantly tightens the U.S. visa process by expanding health and financial criteria for foreign applicants. The guidance, sent by the State Department to embassies and consulates worldwide, instructs visa officers to evaluate applicants not only for communicable diseases, as previously required, but also for chronic medical conditions and their potential financial impact on U.S. resources. Under the new policy, applicants

The K-1 visa, also known as the Fiancé(e) Visa, is intended for foreign nationals who wish to marry a U.S. citizen in the United States and subsequently apply for a Green Card (lawful permanent residence). The K-2 visa is granted to unmarried children under the age of 21 of the K-1 visa holder, who may accompany the applicant or apply separately within one year of the K-1’s issuance. Although the K-1 is a nonimmigrant (temporary) visa, it allows the foreign fiancé(e) to enter

U.S. to Implement Mandatory Biometric Data Collection for All Foreign Nationals Starting December 2025. Beginning December 26, 2025, a new U.S. regulation will require the mandatory collection of biometric data from all foreign nationals entering or departing the country. The measure, announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on October 27, 2025, will directly impact anyone planning to travel to or currently holding a

DHS Ends Automatic Extensions of Work Permits, Strengthening Screening and Security Measures. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule that discontinues the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for noncitizens who submit renewal applications in specific employment authorization categories. This change underscores DHS’s commitment to conducting thorough screening and vetting before granting extensions of work author

The U.S. government has announced new measures impacting the H-1B visa program. On September 19, 2025, the President signed a Proclamation on the Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers , representing an initial step toward reforming the H-1B program. Beginning at 12:01 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Time) on September 21, 2025, all new H-1B petitions must include an additional payment of $100,000 as a condition of eligibility. At the same time, USCIS confirmed that it w

The U.S. Department of State has released the November 2025 Visa Bulletin with updates on “Final Action Dates,” “Dates for Filing,” Diversity Visa (DV) program and 2026 lottery results, expiration of the Employment Fourth Preference Religious Workers category (SR), U.S. government employee Special Immigrant Visas (SIV), and more. For November 2025  USCIS determined that applicants in all family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing

Trump Administration Announces Changes to U.S. Citizenship Test. The Trump administration has announced changes to the U.S. citizenship test, reinstating the revised 2020 version that had been replaced by the Biden administration in 2021. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the goal is to “better assess applicants’ knowledge of U.S. history and government.” The new 2025 exam will restore the 2020 format, increasing the number of possible questi

DHS Streamlines the H-2A Filing Process for Agricultural Employers. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in coordination with...

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) reaffirms that the evaluation of Good Moral Character (GMC) is an essential element...

When to File Your Adjustment of Status Application for Family-Sponsored or Employment-Based Preference Visas: October 2025. If you wish...

EB-2 and EB-2 NIW Visa Issuance Suspended Until October 2025. The U.S. Department of State has announced that the annual quota of EB-2...

The E-2 Investor Visa is available only to citizens of countries that maintain a treaty of commerce and navigation with the United...

The E-2 Visa is a U.S. nonimmigrant visa designed for investors from countries that maintain a treaty of commerce and navigation with the...

U.S. Deportations Under Trump May Reach Highest Level Since Obama Era. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency is on...

The USCIS is updating the Policy Manual to clarify that, for purposes of Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) age calculation, a visa is...

The U.S. Department of State has released the September 2025 Visa Bulletin, providing updates on “Final Action Dates,” “Dates for...

Effective September 2, 2025, the Department of State will update the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a waiver of the...

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance in its Policy Manual aimed at strengthening the...