Government News
$100,000 H-1B Executive Order Extended; Fee Remains Blocked
UPDATE 10/1/2026
On September 30, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California invalidated the $100,000 fee imposed under the 2025 Executive Order and its 2026 extension. The fee remains blocked as a result of this ruling and the July 23, 2026, decision by the U.S. Court of Appeals.
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9/21/2026
District Court Postpones Implementation of DHS Final Rule Eliminating Duration of Status for F and J Nonimmigrants
On September 14, 2026, a federal district court in Massachusetts issued a preliminary injunction postponing the effective date of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rule that would replace the admission of F and J nonimmigrants for the duration of status with fixed periods of admissions.
DHS Proposes Eliminating the Discretionary 60-Day Grace Period for Individuals in H-1B, H-1B1, TN and E-3 Status. F- and J-status Grace Periods Not Affected.
On September 11, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) titled "Eliminating the Discretionary 60-Day Grace Period." The proposed rule would eliminate the discretionary grace period of up to 60 days that individuals in E–1, E–2, E–3, H–1B, H–1B1, L–1, O–1, or TN status may receive if and when their employment ends before their approved period of status ends. The NPRM does NOT affect individuals in other non-immigrant statuses, such as F-1 and
Updated Guidance for Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
On August 12, 2026, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) issued a broadcast message to Designated School Officials (DSOs) reminding them of their liability regarding Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorizations. SEVP then issued an additional broadcast message on August 24, 2026, with additional guidance regarding CPT authorizations.
State Department Resumes Immigrant Visa Interviews and Processing
9/23/2026
- On 9/10/26, the Department of State issued an official "cable" instructing U.S. embassies and consulates to immediately resume the processing and issuance of immigrant visas.
8/26/2026
DHS Proposes $103,265 Fee for Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions; Higher Education Institutions Exempt
On August 24, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions, scheduled for publication on August 25. The proposed rule would impose a $103,265 fee on all initial cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those eligible for the advanced-degree exemption. This fee would be due at filing and would be charged in addition to all other applicable fees.
Change in USCIS Adjudication Policy
On August 5th, 2026, USCIS announced a new policy intended to reduce frivolous immigration benefits requests. Under this new policy, USCIS adjudicators can now deny a petition or application without first issuing a Request for Evidence (RFE) or a Notice of Intent to Deny (NOID) if all required evidence is not included or if a benefit requestor fails to demonstrate eligibility for a benefit.
Duration of Status (D/S) final rule: Overview and FAQs
An overview, an FAQ for F-1 Students, and an FAQ for J-1 students and scholars regarding the new DHS rule eliminating Duration of Status are now available on the International Center website.
U.S. Department of State Realigns Visa Operations In Africa
Effective August 1, 2026, the Department of State will transfer routine visa services from Antananarivo, Abuja, Asmara, Bamako, Banjul, Brazzaville, Bujumbura, Conakry, Cotonou, Durban, Freetown, Gaborone, Harare, Juba, Libreville, Lilongwe, Lusaka, Maputo, Maseru, Mbabane, N’Djamena, Niamey, Nouakchott, Ouagadougou, and Windhoek to regional visa hubs.