USCIS Issues Interim Final Rule Clarifying Requirements for Valid Signatures on Petitions and Applications for Immigration Benefits
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued today an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that seeks to clarify the agency’s procedures for denying or rejecting a petition or application for an immigration benefit on the basis that it does not contain a...
DOS Now Requires that Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants be Asked About Possible Grounds for Future Asylum Claims
A number of credible news sources have reported that the US Department of State (DOS) has issued a cable dated April 28, 2026, that requires consular officers adjudicating nonimmigrant visa applications to ask visa applicants to “affirm that he or she does not fear...
May 2026 Visa Bulletin Issued: Final Action Dates Will Apply for EB Matters for the First Time in Some Months, But No Cut-Off Date Movement in Any EB Category From Last Month’s Bulletin
The U.S. Department of State has released its May 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...
Middle East Update: New UAE Visa Requirement
The UAE Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Ports Security has introduced a new documentation requirement for certain nationalities applying for new UAE residence visas. A Police Clearance Certificate (also known as a Good Conduct...
European Union (EU) Entry/Exit System (EES)
The European Union has introduced a new Entry/Exit System (EES) designed to electronically record the entry and exit of specific non-EU travelers at external borders of participating European countries. The implementation of this system is expected to be fully...
United Kingdom: Home Office Announces Immigration Fee Increases Effective April 8, 2026
The UK Home Office has announced increases to immigration and nationality fees, effective April 8, 2026. The changes affect a range of applications, including visas, settlement applications, and sponsor licenses, and may have cost implications for employers and...
Canada: IRCC Announces 2026 Express Entry Categories and Priority Occupations
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the 2026 category-based selection framework for the Express Entry system aimed at permanent residence. This updated approach confirms that targeted invitation rounds will continue for candidates working...
USCIS Quietly Publishes Policy that Retroactively Shortens the Automatic Extension Granted to Applicants Renewing a TPS-based EAD
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule on October 30, 2025, that ended the automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for applicants who timely filed applications to renew their EADs. T&S published...
April 2026 Visa Bulletin Issued: Dates for Filing EB Cut-Off Dates Will Once Again Apply; Rest of World EB-2 and EB-3 Current; Forward Movement in India EB-2 and EB-3
The U.S. Department of State has released its April 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...
Canada: IRCC Updates Guidance on Reciprocal Employment Work Permits (C20)
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated guidance on how officers assess work permit applications under the Reciprocal Employment category (R205(b) – C20). The C20 exemption allows foreign nationals to work in Canada when their...