USCIS Deference to Prior Approvals May End: What the October 14 Proposal Means for H-1B, L-1, and O-1 Extensions

A proposed rule published in the Federal Register on October 14, 2026 would repeal the regulation that directs USCIS to follow its own earlier approvals of Form I-129 extension petitions. DHS calls it Removing Deference to Prior USCIS Determinations of Eligibility (Docket No. USCIS-2026-0529). The provision at issue, 8 CFR 214.1(c)(5),...

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Canada Express Entry 2026: New 70-Point CRS Boost for Eligible Skilled Workers

Canada's upcoming Express Entry changes could provide a significant advantage to certain skilled foreign workers seeking permanent residence. Beginning November 3, 2026, eligible candidates with at least 12 months or 1,560 hours of qualifying Canadian work experience in designated high-wage occupations may receive 70 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Eligibility depends...

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Canada Express Entry 2026: Skilled Workers May Qualify for 40 Extra CRS Points

Canada's Express Entry system is introducing new opportunities for skilled foreign workers beginning November 3, 2026. Candidates with at least 12 months of qualifying Canadian work experience in designated high-wage occupations may be eligible for 40 additional Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. Eligibility depends on the applicant's National Occupational Classification (NOC) code,...

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Canada Immigration Update 2026: New Express Entry CRS Points for Skilled Workers

Canada is introducing changes to its Express Entry Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) on November 3, 2026, that may benefit certain skilled foreign workers with Canadian work experience. Eligible applicants working in designated high-wage occupations could receive 20 additional CRS points, potentially improving their chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for...

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Visa Refused at the Consulate? What Consular Non-Reviewability Means for Applicants

Most visa applicants expect the consular interview to be routine, particularly if they have been approved before. Then the officer asks new questions, the answers do not satisfy, and the visa is refused. The next question is usually whether the decision can be appealed. In most cases it cannot, and the legal...

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U.S. & Canadian Immigration Updates: H-1B, Student Visas, and Workforce Options | October 2026

Our October 2026 newsletter brings together U.S. and Canadian immigration topics affecting employers, foreign workers, international students, and families. This edition covers H-1B developments, proposed OPT fees, the CPT lawsuit, EB-1A adjudication trends, and the differences between USCIS Requests for Evidence and Notices of Intent to Deny.

You’ll also...

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Canada Options for U.S. Employers: Intra-Company Transfers and the Global Talent Stream

U.S. employers that sponsor skilled foreign workers are watching several changes at once, including the proposed OPT fee and the October 8 announcement that Microsoft, Adobe, and others are suspended from PERM, which we cover separately. Some are asking whether part of a team could work from Canada. Here are the main...

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Canada for Skilled Workers After the PERM Suspension: Express Entry and the H-1B Pathway

On October 8, 2026, the administration announced that it was suspending Microsoft, Adobe, and other employers from PERM, the labor certification step in many employment-based green card cases. ABC News reports that Vice President Vance said the suspension will last as long as needed. TechCrunch adds that Capgemini, Cognizant, HCL, Infosys, Tata,...

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California Court Blocks $100,000 H-1B Fee Policies: What Employers Should Know

On September 30, 2026, a federal judge in the Northern District of California issued an order in Global Nurse Force v. Trump that stops federal agencies from carrying out the $100,000 H-1B payment requirement. This is the second court to block the policies behind the fee. In July we reported on...

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