Immigration Regulations

As 2025 comes to a close, U.S. immigration policy has undergone some of its most consequential shifts in years. For foreign professionals, employers, and investors alike, the year marked a clear pivot away from randomness and flexibility and toward higher scrutiny, higher costs, and more strategic decision-making. Two visa categories stood at the center of these changes: H-1B and EB-5 . Together, they reveal where U.S. immigration policy is heading—and why many individuals ar

The Department of Homeland Security has finalized a major overhaul of the H-1B visa selection process, replacing the long-standing random lottery with a weighted system that prioritizes higher-paid, more senior roles . The rule, finalized on December 23, 2025, will t ake effect on February 27, 2026 , ahead of the FY 2027 H-1B cap season. This shift marks one of the most consequential changes to the H-1B program in years—and it is already reshaping how international profession

For years, H-1B visa holders have relied on consular visa stamping as a routine, albeit sometimes inconvenient, step in maintaining their U.S. work authorization. However, that assumption is now being challenged. In recent weeks, U.S. consulates have abruptly canceled or rescheduled large volumes of H-1B and H-4 visa appointments , pushing interviews months into the future, with many now scheduled for March, June, or even later in 2026. These disruptions coincide with the rol

USCIS has announced major updates to Employment Authorization Document (EAD) validity periods—changes that will directly affect EB-5 investors who file Adjustment of Status (AOS) applications inside the United States. While these updates apply broadly across several immigration categories, EB-5 applicants—especially those pursuing concurrent filing—should pay close attention to how these new policies may impact their work authorization, renewal timelines, and long-term planni

What’s Changing for H-1B Applicants The U.S. Department of State has announced expanded vetting of H-1B (and dependent H-4) visa applicants — effective December 15, 2025 . Under the new rules, all H-1B/H-4 applicants must make their social-media profiles public for review. Consular officers will closely scrutinize employment history and social media activity — especially for applicants who’ve worked in content moderation, misinformation/disinformation, fact-checking, “online

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is preparing a new immigration rule that could severely limit—or even end—the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program. This program is a cornerstone of post-graduation work authorization for international students. According to multiple reports from Forbes and The Economic Times, the Trump administration is considering measures that would restrict employment opportunities for F-1 visa holders after completing their studies. The

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently announced a significant policy change that will affect thousands of noncitizen workers and employers across the United States. Effective October 30, 2025 , DHS has ended the automatic employment authorization extension for most foreign nationals who file for renewal of their Employment Authorization Document (EAD).   This decision, part of a broader shift toward heightened screening and vetting, will have far-reaching implica