PERM Processing Update: March 2026
PERM Applications As of March 5, 2026, the Department of Labor is conducting Analyst Reviews of PERM applications filed in or before October 2024 and is now conducting Audit reviews for cases filed in or before June 2025. The DOL is reviewing Reconsideration Requests to the Certifying Officers that were appealed in or before September […]
Client Alert: New I-129 Edition
The USCIS has updated the form I-129 edition. Starting April 1, 2026, the USCIS will accept only the 02/27/26 edition. In the new edition of the form I-129, the pages used for filing H-1B petitions have been updated to include additional questions regarding the position requirements. Employers need to provide information regarding the educational and […]
March 2026 Visa Bulletin
The March 2026 visa bulletin has been published. USCIS will be accepting cases in March based on dates for filing, not on final action, for employment-based cases. Changes are as follows for both charts. If a change is not listed here, the date remains the same. Dates for Filing EB1 China: moved from August 1, […]
USCIS Policy Alert Update – Photograph Reuse for Identity Documents
USCIS has changed its Photograph Reuse policy. USCIS may only reuse a previously collected photo if, at the time of filing, no more than 36 months (3 years) have passed since the date the photo was collected at a Biometrics Services Appointment. This policy applies to all immigration benefit requests, except for applications that require […]
USCIS to Increase Premium Processing Fees
Effective March 1, 2026, Premium Processing Fees will increase from $2,805 to $2,965. This increase will apply to the following types of petitions postmarked on or after March 1: Form Previous Fee New Fee I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker H-2B R-1 $1,685 $1,780 I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker E-1 E-2 E-3 H-1B H-3 L-1A L-1B […]
PERM Processing Times Update: February 2026
PERM Applications As of February 9, 2026, the Department of Labor is conducting Analyst Reviews of PERM applications filed in or before September 2024 and is now conducting Audit reviews for cases filed in or before June 2025. The DOL is reviewing Reconsideration Requests to the Certifying Officers that were appealed in or before September […]
Client Alert: New Edition of Form G-1450
On Friday, February 6, 2026, USCIS updated the edition date of form G-1450 Authorization for Credit Card Transactions to 02/06/26. The edition date can be found on the bottom left corner of the form. As of the time of this posting, the website states that USCIS will also accept prior edition dates, but has not […]
Client Alert: Partial Funding Bill Passed
Congress has passed a partial funding bill to fund most federal agencies (Defense, State, Treasury and others) through September 30, 2026. Debate continues over funding for the Department of Homeland Security, with negotiations centering on immigration enforcement. The partial funding bill passed today will provide funding to DHS through February 13, 2026. Funding will expire […]
Client Alert: HCAP FY 2027 Registration Alert
USCIS has announced that the initial registration period for the FY 2027 H-1B Cap will open at noon ET on March 4 and run through noon ET on March 19, 2026. During this period, prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process […]
Client Alert: Potential Government Shutdown on January 31, 2026
Political uncertainty on Capitol Hill may lead to a government shutdown starting on January 31, 2026. To prepare for this eventuality our recommendation to our Clients are as follows: IMMEDIATELY, submit Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for all extension cases projected to be filed in the next two to three months. File multi-slot headquarters based LCAs […]