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Department of State Expands Social Media Screening to Additional Visa Categories
Photo by EVG Kowalievska from Pexels The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently expanded its online presence review requirements to several additional nonimmigrant visa categories, increasing the number of applicants whose social media activity may be reviewed during the visa adjudication process. The update took effect on March 30, 2026, and applies to a broad […]
USPS Updates Postmark Rules: What It Means for Immigration Filings
Photo by annastills In December 2025, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) issued a final rule changing how postmarks are applied and understood. While mail filing procedures themselves have not changed, the update changes the understanding of what a postmark is and what they actually represent—an important distinction for anyone submitting time-sensitive immigration filings. What Changed […]
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Eliminates One-Year Foreign Residency Requirement for R-1 Religious Workers
Photo from Shuttershock The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule removing the long-standing one-year foreign residency requirement for certain R-1 religious workers who reach the maximum five-year stay in the United States. The change is effective immediately and is expected to provide meaningful relief for religious organizations and workers […]
USCIS Implements New Policies Affecting Asylum, Refugees, and Applicants from “High-Risk” Countries
Photo courtesy of Andrew Patrick Photo USCIS Implements New Policies Affecting Asylum, Refugees, and Applicants from “High-Risk” Countries U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced significant policy changes that will impact the processing of various immigration benefits. These measures include pauses on adjudications, expanded re-review of previously approved cases, and additional scrutiny for applicants […]
USCIS Changes H-1B Visa Selection Process
Photo courtesy of iStock DHS Changes H-1B Visa Selection Process: What Employers and Applicants Need to Know The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a major change to the H-1B visa selection process—moving away from the traditional random lottery and toward a weighted selection system that prioritizes higher-skilled and higher-paid applicants. This change […]
DOS Expands Online Presence Review for H-1B & H-4 Visas
Photo courtesy of Google Images DOS Expands Online Presence Review to H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants On December 3, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that it will expand its online presence review requirement to all H-1B principal applicants and H-4 dependents, effective December 15, 2025. This policy extends a vetting practice that […]
USCIS Announces Temporary Pauses and Reviews Affecting Certain Immigration Cases
Photo courtesy of KHUNKORN from khunkorn USCIS Announces Temporary Pauses and Reviews Affecting Certain Immigration Cases In early December 2025, the Trump administration announced a series of significant immigration policy changes following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The individual accused in the incident had previously entered the United States through […]
Visa Bonds for Certain B-1/B-2 Travelers: What Applicants Should Know
Photo by mingche lee from Pexels The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond program for certain B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants. Depending on an applicant’s country of nationality and individual circumstances, some travelers may now be required to post a financial bond before a visitor visa can be issued. While the bond requirement does not […]