PERM Processing Times Update: December 2025
PERM Applications As of December 1, 2025, the Department of Labor is conducting Analyst Reviews of PERM applications filed in or before July 2024 and is now conducting Audit reviews for cases filed in or before November 2024. The DOL is reviewing Reconsideration Requests to the Certifying Officers that were appealed in or before August […]
December 2025 Visa Bulletin
The December 2025 visa bulletin has been published. USCIS will be accepting cases in December 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 Certain Religious Workers Rest of World: […]
Government Funding Stopgap Passed
On Wednesday, November 13, 2025, a short-term spending bill was signed that will temporarily fund federal agencies through January 30, 2026. Please note that negotiations regarding the FY 2026 budget will continue and the government may shut down again on January 31, 2026, if a permanent solution is not reached. Most immigration services were either […]
OFLC Announces Extensions and Emergency Procedures of Certain Application Processing Actions Impacted by the Government Shutdown
On November 5, 2025, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) within the Department of Labor (DOL) announced that it would make the following temporary changes to its standard procedures related to applications and documents that were impacted by government shutdown from October 1, 2025, through November 2, 2025: 1. New submissions mailed to the […]
PERM Processing Times Update: November 2025
The Department of Labor has resumed processing Prevailing Wage and Labor Certification applications for temporary and permanent employment in the US. The FLAG system is no accessible and permits system users to prepare and submit new applications as well as submit and receive information associated with applications pending final determination. The DOL anticipates increased […]
Client Alert: EAD Automatic Extension
The Department of Homeland Security has announced an interim final rule ending the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents for aliens filing renewal applications in certain employment authorization categories. Aliens who file to renew their EAD on or after Oct. 30, 2025, will no longer receive an automatic extension of their EAD. The USCIS and […]
USCIS Guidance on Trump $100,000 H-1B Fee Proclamation
Extensions, Amendments and Change of Status H-1B Filings Exempted The USCIS has clarified on October 20, 2025, regarding who will be subject to the new $100,000 fee for an H-1B visa as per the Presidential Executive Proclamation of September 19, 2025. While the guidance provides clarifications for most instances, it still leaves some aspects unclear. […]
November 2025 Visa Bulletin
The November 2025 visa bulletin has been published. USCIS will be accepting cases in November based on dates for filing, not on final action, for employment-based cases. There are no changes from the October 2025 Visa Bulletin. Dates for Filing No changes at all. Final Action No changes at all.
Lawsuit Challenges New H-1B Fee Imposed by Presidential Proclamation
Following the release of the Presidential Proclamation on September 19, 2025, Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers, a joint lawsuit has been filed in California challenging the legality of the Proclamation and requesting the Court to set aside enforcement and implementation of certain sections. The Proclamation restricts the entry of foreign nationals to perform […]
Senators Grassley and Durbin Introduce Bi-Partisan H-1B and L-1 Reform Bill
Dramatic Changes Envisioned to H-1B and L-1 Programs Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) and Ranking Member Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) reintroduced legislation, with bipartisan support, to reform the H-1B and L-1 visa programs. In preparation for the introduction of the legislation, the Senators have written to 10 major employers in the United States (including […]