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.

By authorizing the exchange of felony conviction records with Visa Waiver Program countries and other allies, the order expands the information available to DHS for screening immigrants. This affects the background check phase for EB-1C petitions, particularly for those with significant international travel history.

USCIS has announced an inflation-based increase for premium processing fees, which applies to EB-1C petitions. This change increases the financial requirement for companies seeking to expedite the transfer of key personnel.

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.

Multinational managers and executives from the listed countries are barred from entering the U.S. as immigrants. The policy targets countries with perceived vetting deficiencies, meaning EB-1C petitions for nationals of these countries cannot result in entry or visa issuance while the proclamation is in effect.

EB-1C petitions will likely see increased scrutiny regarding the relationship between foreign and U.S. entities. Vetting will focus on the legitimacy of managerial roles and the operational history of the petitioning companies.

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.

The upcoming inflation-based fee hike will increase the total cost of sponsorship for EB-1C petitions. Employers should account for these changes in their immigration budgets for the next fiscal year to avoid filing rejections due to incorrect fee amounts.

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.

Operation Twin Shield has identified significant fraud within the multinational manager category, specifically regarding shell companies and non-existent qualifying relationships. Petitioners should expect increased site visits and more rigorous verification of corporate structures.

Special Agents will have enhanced capabilities to investigate shell companies and fraudulent qualifying relationships in multinational transfer cases. EB-1C petitioners should expect more rigorous site visits and background checks to verify the legitimacy of managerial roles and corporate operations.

Multinational managers and executives' petitions will benefit from electronic fee payment options. This modernization effort is designed to reduce administrative burdens and minimize errors related to traditional payment methods like checks.

USCIS is emphasizing the consequences for falsifying information regarding qualifying corporate relationships or the nature of executive/managerial duties. Fraudulent claims in EB-1C petitions can result in criminal penalties and bars on future benefits.

As part of the broader 'Anti-Americanism' consideration, USCIS may scrutinize the corporate affiliations and public statements of multinational executives. This could impact the discretionary approval of immigrant benefit requests for high-level personnel.

This update clarifies that for the purpose of the Child Status Protection Act, the 'Dates for Filing' chart will be used to determine when a visa becomes available. This allows children of EB-1C applicants to lock in their age sooner, reducing the risk of losing eligibility when they turn 21.

The new fee structure applies to all EB-1C immigrant petitions. Employers should review the updated fee schedule to ensure compliance and prevent processing delays.

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.

For multinational manager petitions, this guidance ensures that if USCIS finds derogatory information regarding the qualifying corporate relationship or the petitioner's business operations, the petitioner is given a chance to respond. This promotes transparency in the I-140 adjudication process.

Multinational managers and executives applying for adjustment of status benefit from the indefinite validity of Form I-693 signed on or after Nov. 1, 2023. This change is particularly helpful for applicants whose cases may experience delays in adjudication, ensuring their medical documentation remains valid indefinitely.

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.

Multinational managers and executives adjusting status to permanent residency are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement previously mandated for Form I-693. This policy update reduces the administrative burden for EB-1C applicants.

USCIS has revised the procedural requirements for submitting Form I-140. Employers filing on behalf of multinational managers must verify the latest filing addresses and form instructions provided in this alert.

Multinational managers or executives (EB-1C) with pending adjustment of status applications may face minor delays due to the temporary closure of USCIS offices. Any appointments for biometrics or interviews scheduled for this date will be automatically rescheduled by the agency.

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.