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Australia’s Department of Home Affairs announced that more English Language Tests (ELTs) are now accepted for Australian visa purposes and that ELT requirements will be updated for the Skills in Demand (SID) visa. Key Points: Nine ELTs are accepted for
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published a Federal Register Notice in July announcing a series of immigration fees to be collected under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill. Any form postmarked on or after Aug. 21, 2025, without the proper filing fee will be rejected. Key Points:
The Department of Labor posted the latest processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests. PERM Processing Times: As of Aug. 1, the department was adjudicating PERM applications filed in April 2024 and earlier and reviewing appeals for reconsideration filed in
The State Department published a Temporary Final Rule (TFR) in the Federal Register announcing the launch of a 12-month visa bond pilot program for certain foreign nationals applying for B1/B2 visas effective Aug. 20, 2025, until Aug. 5, 2026. Key Points: The pilot will run for
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced an extension of measures that allow certain Palestinians to apply for permits and status extensions to stay in Canada. Key Points: These measures, first introduced by the Canadian government in December 2023, allow qualifying individuals
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has issued new guidance to prevent male nonimmigrants from receiving immigration benefits that would allow them to compete in women’s sports in the U.S. Key Points: The policy update aligns with Executive Order 14201,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has updated its Policy Manual to clarify when interviews are required for asylees, refugees and certain family members applying for permanent residency. Key Points: The update reestablishes a consistent baseline for screening and vetting, aligning with
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has issued updated guidance to enhance the vetting of family-based immigrant visa petitions. Key Points: The update prioritizes verifying the authenticity of marriages and family relationships to ensure they meet legal standards. The guidance consolidates existing policies on eligibility,
A federal court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from proceeding with recent terminations of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Honduras, Nepal and Nicaragua until Nov. 18, 2025. Key Points: Federal Judge Trina Thompson for the United States District Court Northern District of California entered an
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it published a July 31, 2025, edition of the Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, that includes the addition of a fee for certain employment authorization applications and a biometric services fee for certain Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR) forms. Key
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced updates to its email naming conventions and centralized mailing address, effective Aug. 29, 2025, to streamline communication and processing across all programs. Key Points: All OFLC program-related correspondence, including documentary evidence and H-2A certification payments, must be sent
The Employment and Training Administration (ETA) of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) announced a temporary suspension of H-2A certification fee collection, effective Sept. 2, 2025. Key Points: This pause allows the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) to modernize its payment system in alignment with
The State Department updated global visa wait times on July 29, 2025. The average wait times reported do not guarantee a visa applicant will get an appointment within a specific time. U.S. embassies and consulates regularly release additional appointment slots. Applicants who want an earlier appointment slot
The Department of Home Affairs announced that the 2025-26 Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) ballots are open for Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals. Key Points: The PEV is a permanent residency visa allowing Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals to live, work and study in Australia. To
The European Commission confirmed that the Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin operations on Oct. 12, 2025. Key Points: Starting Oct. 12, the EES will be progressively rolled out over six months at the external borders of 29 European countries. Border authorities will gradually begin collecting
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shared an update that Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain beneficiaries of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation are valid through Feb. 3, 2026. Key Points: On July 1, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)