On October 8, 2026, DHS issued a proposed regulation that would require U.S. universities to pay a $70,000 fee to recommend an F-1 student for an initial period of Optional Practical Training (OPT) and a $30,000 fee for each subsequent OPT recommendation. According to DHS, the fees are being proposed to combat fraud and abuse, and to discourage the use of the OPT program to bypass H-1B caps, fees, and prevailing wage requirements.
On August 25, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a proposed rule, Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions, that would impose an additional $103,265 filing fee on all cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those eligible for the advanced-degr
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.
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.
9/23/2026
8/26/2026
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.