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New H-1B visa changes introduce social media screening as part of the review process. Here’s what applicants need to understand about how this may affect their case

 April 2026 Visa Bulletin Brings Major Forward Movement of the Priority Dates and How we can help you to timely file your Permanent Resident/Green Card Application. The U.S. Departm...

The March 2026 Visa Bulletin opens an important filing window for many green card applicants. Significant priority date advancements mean you or your dependents may now qualify to file your Adjustment of Status application. Don’t miss this opportunity — timely filing is critical.

USCIS has confirmed higher premium processing fees starting March 1, 2026, impacting many employment-based petitions and related applications.

If you’re facing job loss on H-1B or planning your next step after F-1 graduation, understanding your options during the 60-day period is critical.

The Department of Homeland Security has adjusted how H-1B work visas are awarded. These changes impact employers, job offers, and workforce planning.

U.S. agencies have issued updated guidance impacting Diversity Visa and Green Card Lottery applicants worldwide. Here’s what selectees need to know.

USCIS has shortened the maximum validity of some Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for refugees, asylum seekers and related categories. Find out how this change affects work authorization and what you should plan for.

A new Gold Card immigration program offers wealthy investors a fast-track path to U.S. residency and potential citizenship. Learn how it works and what this means for global immigrants.

Starting January 1, 2026, USCIS will raise select immigration fees due to inflation. Find out how these changes may affect work visas, green cards, and employers.

The $100,000 H-1B fee creates significant challenges for employers and foreign workers. At SLO, our immigration team can help you assess whether your petitions fall under the fee requirement, develop strategies to minimize impact, ensure status compliance, and explore alternative visa options. As this situation continues to evolve, we stay current on all developments to provide you with the most up-to-date guidance.

The U.S. Department of Labor has launched "Project Firewall" to increase investigations into companies using H-1B workers. Employers should immediately review their compliance, including worker pay rates, documentation, and job descriptions. Violations can result in back wages, hefty fines, and bans from the H-1B program, with information shared across government agencies for coordinated enforcement.

Trump's new H-1B visa policy introduces a $100,000 annual fee starting Sunday. While the announcement initially caused confusion and panic among foreign workers, the White House confirmed that current H-1B holders and renewals are exempt - only new applicants will pay the fee.

On September 18, 2025, USCIS will announce the implementation of the 2025 Naturalization civics test through a Federal Register. This test evaluates an applicant's understanding of U.S. history and government, adhering to statutory requirements. Before the 2025 Naturalization Civics Test is put ...

Complete guide for small businesses to sponsor employees for green cards. Covers EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3 categories, PERM process, timelines, and specific challenges for smaller companies. Includes official government sources and step-by-step procedures for retaining international talent.

Bottom Line: These changes represent the most restrictive visa application policies in recent years, requiring applicants to plan further ahead and apply in their home countries. Similar restrictions for immigrant visas take effect November 1, 2025. Recommendation: Apply early, verify eligibility for any remaining waivers, and prepare for extended processing times. If you need help, please contact our office at SanSha Law Office and we will be happy to consult and guide you through this process

The U.S. State Department has announced new restrictions requiring immigrant visa applicants to interview at designated consular locations based on their residence, effective November 1, 2025. This policy eliminates the previous flexibility allowing applicants to choose interview locations. The changes affect all immigration categories including family-based, employment-based, and diversity visa applications. Special processing arrangements exist for countries with suspended operations. The new rules may extend processing times and increase costs for applicants and sponsoring employers. Current applicants should verify their designated processing location and prepare for potential impacts on their immigration timeline. Contact us at SanSha Law Office for a consultation if you would like more information.

Like all international travelers, lawful permanent residents (LPRs)—also known as Green Card holders—are subject to inspection by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) when arriving at an airport or land port of entry. While LPRs enjoygreater rights than nonimmigrants when returning to the United ...

On August 08, 2025, USCIS announced that it was updating its Policy Manual to clarify that a visa becomes available for the purposes of Child Status Protection Act age calculation based on the Final Action Dates chart of the Department of State Visa Bulletin. The new guidance applies to requests ...

The landscape of skilled worker immigration continues to evolve, making strategic workforce planning more critical than ever. Companies that adapt their hiring strategies now will be better positioned for success. Smart approaches we're seeing from forward-thinking employers: Diversifying vi...

Recent shifts in H-1B visa processing have created new considerations for both employers and foreign workers. As we navigate these changes, it's important to understand what this means for workforce planning. Three key areas companies should monitor: Processing timelines - Standard processin...

On June 04, 2025, President Trump issued a presidential proclamation that enacts total and partial restrictions on immigration and travel to the U.S. for citizens of 19 countries. The new travel ban will take effect on Monday June 09, 2025, at 12:01 am EDT. **Full Travel Ban** The ban will comp...

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Nepal at 11:59 PM on August 5, 2025. Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) categorized under A12 or C19, issued to beneficiaries from Nepal with expiration dates as follows, will be extended until ...

On February 25, 2025, the USCIS announced the implementation of a new registration requirement, mandating that certain non-U.S. citizens register with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Accordingly, the DHS published an interim final rule (IFR) that amended DHS regulations to designate a ...

All people living in the United States, including undocumented immigrants, have certain U.S. constitutional rights. If Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers come to your workplace, they must have either (1) a valid search warrant, or (2) consent from your employer to enter non-public...