What does this mean for you?
Start from a situation, or look up any visa, country or topic. Each change, date and figure links its source. Data and records, not legal advice.
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Specialty-occupation workers and people heading into the H-1B lottery.
Recent changes naming H-1B
- UpdatedOct 27, 2026Policy alert: Fee Guidance for L-1 Intracompany TransfereesUSCIS Policy Manual ↗
- Proposed rule, not in forceOct 8, 2026Optional Practical Training FeesFederal Register ↗
- Executive actionSep 18, 2026Executive Order 14431: Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa ProgramFederal Register ↗
- Executive actionSep 18, 2026Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant WorkersFederal Register ↗
Listed because the document names H-1B among those it affects (27 in all). Whether a change applies to your case depends on its text and your circumstances. Every change that mentions H-1B specialty occupation →
Deadlines and dates
- H-1B electronic registrationAround Mar 1 each year
- Federal tax filing deadlineApr 15 each year
- Diversity Visa (green-card) lotteryDates set by the State Department · check the official page
- New fiscal year: H-1B start dateOct 1 each year
What the data shows
- H-1B approvals were 399,395 in FY2024; the preliminary FY2025 figure is ~358,000, about 10% lower. Projected
- India nationals received ~71% of all approvals, so cap and fee changes land hardest on them. Reported
- Denials edged up from ~25,500 (FY2024) toward ~30,000 (FY2025 preliminary). Projected
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Translations and degree evaluations: official help and independent services →On the Resources page, each listing says whether it is official, independent or an affiliate.
F-1 and J-1 students and exchange visitors, including OPT.
Recent changes naming F-1 or J-1
- Proposed rule, not in forceOct 8, 2026Optional Practical Training FeesFederal Register ↗
- AnnouncementAug 28, 202630-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: Annual Report-J-NONIMMIGRANT Exchange Visitor ProgramFederal Register ↗
- Proposed rule, not in forceAug 25, 2026Fee for Certain H-1B PetitionsFederal Register ↗
- Final ruleAug 10, 20269-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 VisasFederal Register ↗
Listed because the document names F-1 or J-1 among those it affects (17 in all). Whether a change applies to your case depends on its text and your circumstances. Every change that mentions F-1 academic student →
Deadlines and dates
- Federal tax filing deadlineApr 15 each year
- Diversity Visa (green-card) lotteryDates set by the State Department · check the official page
- F-1 OPT application windowPer student · up to 90 days before graduation
What the data shows
- F-1 student visa issuances were 401,007 in FY2024 and 372,000 in FY2025. Reported
- FY2026 is running ~31% below last year's pace (projected full-year ~256.9K). Projected
- A visa is counted when an embassy issues it. That is separate from school enrollment or your status once inside the U.S. Reported
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Nonresident tax filing: official help and independent services →On the Resources page, each listing says whether it is official, independent or an affiliate.
Employment-based immigrants waiting on a priority date.
Recent changes naming EB-2, EB-3 or EB-5
- AnnouncementOct 23, 2026Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application To Register Permanent Residence or Adjust StatusFederal Register ↗
- Final ruleSep 30, 2026U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment-Based Immigrant Visa, Fifth Preference (EB-5) Fee RuleFederal Register ↗
- AnnouncementSep 29, 2026USCIS Adjusts EB-5 Fees to Cover Program Costs and Strengthen Integrity MeasuresUSCIS newsroom ↗
- Proposed rule, not in forceJul 2, 2026EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022; Ensuring the Integrity of the EB-5 Program; Automatic Revocation of Petitions for Immigrant ClassificationFederal Register ↗
Listed because the document names EB-2, EB-3 or EB-5 among those it affects (12 in all). Whether a change applies to your case depends on its text and your circumstances. Every change that mentions EB-2 second preference →
Deadlines and dates
- Federal tax filing deadlineApr 15 each year
- Diversity Visa (green-card) lotteryDates set by the State Department · check the official page
- New fiscal year: H-1B start dateOct 1 each year
- Visa BulletinReleased monthly · around mid-month
What the data shows
- Employment-based immigrant visa issuances were ~145,000 in FY2024 and ~140,000 in FY2025. Reported
- FY2026 is running ~21% below last year's pace (projected ~110.1K). Projected
- Employment-based green cards are capped per country, so applicants born in high-demand countries such as India and China face the longest waits. Reported
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Finding legal help: official help and independent services →On the Resources page, each listing says whether it is official, independent or an affiliate.
HR and mobility teams sponsoring H-1B, H-2A or H-2B workers.
Recent changes naming H-1B, H-2A or H-2B
- UpdatedOct 27, 2026Policy alert: Fee Guidance for L-1 Intracompany TransfereesUSCIS Policy Manual ↗
- Proposed rule, not in forceOct 8, 2026Optional Practical Training FeesFederal Register ↗
- Executive actionSep 18, 2026Executive Order 14431: Enhancing Program Integrity and Interagency Coordination in the Administration of the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa ProgramFederal Register ↗
- Executive actionSep 18, 2026Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant WorkersFederal Register ↗
Listed because the document names H-1B, H-2A or H-2B among those it affects (62 in all). Whether a change applies to your case depends on its text and your circumstances. Every change that mentions H-1B specialty occupation →
Deadlines and dates
- H-1B electronic registrationAround Mar 1 each year
- Federal tax filing deadlineApr 15 each year
- Diversity Visa (green-card) lotteryDates set by the State Department · check the official page
- New fiscal year: H-1B start dateOct 1 each year
What the data shows
- The 3 largest sponsors filed ~6% of all FY2024 H-1B approvals. Sponsorship is concentrated among a few firms. Reported
- The approval-weighted average offered wage across top tracked sponsors is $133,359. Estimated
- National approvals eased ~10% from FY2024 to the preliminary FY2025 total. Projected
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Finding legal help: official help and independent services →On the Resources page, each listing says whether it is official, independent or an affiliate.
Temporary Protected Status holders and asylum seekers.
Recent changes naming TPS or asylum
- AnnouncementOct 23, 2026Agency Information Collection Activities; Revision of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents, and Arrival/Departure RecordsFederal Register ↗
- Final ruleOct 14, 2026Imposition and Collection of Civil Penalties for Certain Immigration-Related ViolationsFederal Register ↗
- Final ruleOct 14, 2026Removal of Automatic Extensions for Certain Employment Authorization DocumentsFederal Register ↗
- AnnouncementOct 9, 2026USCIS Opens Asylum Office in CharlotteUSCIS newsroom ↗
Listed because the document names TPS or asylum among those it affects (74 in all). Whether a change applies to your case depends on its text and your circumstances. Every change that mentions Temporary Protected Status →
Explained and related data
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Saved in this browser. New matching changes appear on Following.
Services
Finding legal help: official help and independent services →On the Resources page, each listing says whether it is official, independent or an affiliate.
Data and records, not legal advice. For your own case, consult a qualified professional.
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