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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)
The Department of State updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a nonimmigrant visa interview waiver, effective Sept. 2, 2025. Key Points: All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require
Following the implementation of new immigration-related fees under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 1), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new edition of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule on July 22 that updates filing and additional fees for
Ireland has launched a public consultation to review the occupations eligible for employment permits, aiming to address skill shortages and support economic growth. Key Points: Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback on the Ineligible Occupations List and the Critical Skills Occupations List, which guide Ireland’s
Australia’s ImmiAccount now supports online services for Child, Other Family, Former Resident and New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship paper-based visa applications. Key Points: Similar to the update for Parent visa applications, applicants must still apply using a paper form. The
The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) with TPS benefits no longer in effect as of July 22, 2025. An order from the United States Court of Appeals
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will permanently discontinue its fax services starting Sept. 1, 2025, as part of an ongoing digital modernization initiative to streamline document submission and communication processes. A list of the fax email addresses that will be discontinued can be found
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted an advance copy of a Federal Register Notice (FRN) implementing new immigration-related fees under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, a.k.a. the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1). The FRN is scheduled to be published July 22. In
Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente announced the completion of Mexico’s consular service simplification process in the United States, including new technology to streamline processes. Key Points: A new appointment platform and Single Window are now available via the Mi Consulado portal, streamlining nearly
The European Commission announced that the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee will be 20 euros, an increase from the previously listed 7 euros. Key Points: The fee increase aims to cover the operating costs of ETIAS and considers inflation rates and the