Policy Updates

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2026-03)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2026-03 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2023-02-01 to 2023-03-01 - China: moved from 2023-02-01 to 2023-03-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The order facilitates a more robust vetting process by integrating DOJ criminal records and reciprocal data from trusted foreign governments into DHS screening missions. EB-1B applicants may see these enhanced protocols applied during the security clearance phase of their immigration journey.

The adjustment to Form I-907 fees impacts outstanding professors and researchers seeking faster processing times. Employers and applicants should budget for higher costs when requesting expedited service.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2026-01)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2026-01 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2022-03-15 to 2023-02-01 - China: moved from 2023-01-22 to 2023-02-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

The proclamation halts the entry of all immigrants from 'full suspension' countries and 'partial suspension' countries. This directly impacts outstanding researchers and professors (EB-1B) from affected nations such as Nigeria, Mali, and Venezuela, effectively blocking their ability to obtain green cards via consular processing.

The policy update indicates a broader effort to vet all employment-based applicants. For EB-1B, this may involve more intensive verification of institutional affiliations and the validity of research contributions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2025-12)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2025-12 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2022-02-15 to 2022-03-15 - China: moved from 2022-12-22 to 2023-01-22 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

USCIS is adjusting fees for inflation, which will increase the cost of Form I-140 petitions. This change affects employers sponsoring researchers under the EB-1B category, requiring updated budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year.

A partial stay on the 2024 USCIS Fee Rule affects how filing fees are calculated for employment-based petitions. This includes potential changes to the $600 Asylum Program Fee and the base filing fee for Form I-140. Petitioners should verify the current fee schedule to avoid immediate rejection of filings due to incorrect payment.

This procedural change requires petitioners to use electronic payment methods for Form I-140 and Form I-907 filings. Legal representatives and employers must update their internal accounting and submission workflows to comply with the new digital payment requirements to avoid filing rejections.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2025-10)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2025-10 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2022-11-15 to 2022-12-22 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Petitioners for outstanding professors and researchers can now utilize modernized electronic payment systems for USCIS filing fees. This shift aims to improve efficiency and reliability in the initial intake of employment-based petitions.

Outstanding researchers and professors must provide truthful documentation regarding their scholarly contributions and permanent job offers. Misrepresentation in these filings is subject to heightened scrutiny and legal consequences.

The memo suggests that 'Anti-Americanism' will be a factor in benefit requests, which includes I-140 petitions. Researchers whose work or public discourse is perceived as contrary to U.S. interests may face higher hurdles during the discretionary phase of adjudication.

By utilizing the 'Dates for Filing' chart, USCIS ensures that children of outstanding researchers and professors are less likely to age out while waiting for their priority dates to become current. This change resolves previous inconsistencies where children could age out despite being eligible to file an I-485.

Legislative updates have resulted in a revised fee schedule for employment-based immigrant worker petitions. This change affects the total cost of sponsorship for academic and research institutions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2025-07)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2025-07 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2022-11-08 to 2022-11-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

This guidance impacts EB-1B petitions by standardizing how officers share adverse evidence found during background checks or site visits. Petitioners will have a clearer process for addressing derogatory information that could otherwise lead to a denial.

Outstanding researchers and professors will no longer need to worry about the expiration of their medical exams during the adjustment of status process, provided the exam was signed after the cutoff date. This policy update reduces the administrative burden and costs associated with re-filing medical records during long processing periods.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2025-04)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2025-04 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2022-02-01 to 2022-02-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

EB-1B researchers and professors applying for a green card via Form I-485 are no longer required to show proof of COVID-19 vaccination during their civil surgeon medical exam. This change simplifies the documentation required for permanent residency.

Petitions for EB-1B status must now follow the revised USCIS guidelines regarding form versions and filing locations. Failure to comply with these administrative updates may result in the return of the filing package.

EB-1B applicants with scheduled appointments at field offices or ASCs on January 9, 2025, will experience delays as USCIS will need to reschedule these sessions. This primarily impacts individuals with pending I-485 applications requiring biometrics or interviews.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2024-10)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2024-10 Visa Bulletin: - China: moved from 2022-11-01 to 2022-11-08 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2024-07)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2024-07 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2021-03-01 to 2022-02-01 - China: moved from 2022-09-01 to 2022-11-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2024-04)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2024-04 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2020-10-01 to 2021-03-01 - China: moved from 2022-07-15 to 2022-09-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2024-03)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2024-03 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2020-09-01 to 2020-10-01 - China: moved from 2022-07-01 to 2022-07-15 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2024-01)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2024-01 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2017-01-01 to 2020-09-01 - China: moved from 2022-02-15 to 2022-07-01 This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2023-10)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2023-10 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2012-01-01 to 2017-01-01 - China: moved from 2022-02-01 to 2022-02-15 - Philippines: became Current - Mexico: became Current - Rest of World: became Current This may allow additional applicants to proceed with their petitions.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2023-08)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2023-08 Visa Bulletin: - India: moved from 2022-02-01 to 2012-01-01 - Philippines: retrogressed from Current to 2023-08-01 - Mexico: retrogressed from Current to 2023-08-01 - Rest of World: retrogressed from Current to 2023-08-01 Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.

Visa Bulletin Update: EB-1 (2023-01)

The Department of State updated EB-1 Final Action Dates in the 2023-01 Visa Bulletin: - India: retrogressed from Current to 2022-02-01 - China: retrogressed from Current to 2022-02-01 Some applicants who were previously eligible may need to wait longer.