U.S. District Court Upholds $100,000 H-1B Fee
In a detailed decision published on December 23, 2025, a federal district court judge in Washington, D.C. ruled in favor of the administration on the issue of President Trump’s September 19 Proclamation imposing a $100,000 fee on certain H-1B petitions. The Chamber...
H-1B Weighted Lottery Rule Promulgated Without Change for Next Year’s H-1B Cap Lottery
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule implementing, without change, the weighted H-1B lottery process contained in the September 2025 proposed rule. The weighted lottery rule increases the odds of selection for H-1B lottery registrations...
U.S. Government’s Travel Ban Extended and Expanded to Additional Countries
Since June 9, 2025, travel into the United States by citizens of 19 countries has been fully or partially restricted, as described in our prior news alert. The June travel ban imposed two categories of visa restrictions on 19 countries in total. 12 countries...
Canada: Updated NOC Prevailing Wage Rates
The National Occupational Classification (NOC) prevailing wage rates have been updated. Employers with temporary foreign workers on LMIA-based work permits are responsible for reviewing these rates and adjusting salaries where required. The latest wage information can...
Switzerland Update: Permit Quota Numbers for 2026
The Swiss Federal Council has confirmed the work permit quotas for 2026 as follows: EU/EFTA Nationals: L permits: 3,000 B permits: 500 Non-EU/EFTA Nationals: L permits: 4,000 B permits: 4,500 These numbers remain unchanged from 2025. UK Nationals: To support the...
Germany: Updated EU Blue Card Salary Thresholds – Effective 1 January 2026
Germany has revised the salary requirements for EU Blue Card applications, with new thresholds taking effect from 1 January 2026: Regular EU Blue Card: minimum annual salary of €50,700 Shortage Occupations (“Small Blue Card”) – including IT, engineering, natural...
Ireland: Updated Annual Salary Thresholds for Employment Permits
The Irish government will implement higher annual salary thresholds for initial and renewal employment permit applications, effective 1 March 2026. The updated thresholds are as follows: Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) with relevant degree: €40,904...
Netherlands: 2026 Salary Thresholds & Sponsor Requirements
New Salary Thresholds The IND has published updated minimum gross monthly salaries (excluding 8% holiday allowance) for Highly Skilled Migrants, Intra-company Transferees, Blue Card holders, and recent graduates: Highly Skilled Migrant / Intra-company transferee,...
Proposed Changes to Settlement (ILR) Applications
The UK government has announced proposed reforms to Settlement (Indefinite Leave to Remain) applications under the new “Earned Settlement” model, focusing on contribution, integration, character, and residence. Key points: Standard qualifying period: Most migrants –...
January 2026 Visa Bulletin Issued: Dates for Filing EB Cut-Off Dates Will Apply; Minor Forward Movement in Both Dates for Filing and Final Action Dates; Significant Forward Movement in the Final Action EB-1 India Date
The U.S. Department of State has released its January 2026 Visa Bulletin imposing per-country cut-off dates that regulate immigrant visa availability and the flow of Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications and consular immigrant visa application interviews and...