On October 8, 2026, DHS published a proposed rule that would add a fee of $70,000 for a student's initial OPT. It is only a proposal, and we explained it in our earlier post. Even so, some F-1 students and prospective students are now comparing U.S. study with study in Canada....
Proposed OPT Fee Rule: DHS Seeks $70,000 for Initial F-1 OPT
On October 8, 2026, DHS published a proposed rule in the Federal Register that would attach a fee to Optional Practical Training for F-1 students. The notice proposes $70,000 for a student's initial OPT and $30,000 for any subsequent OPT. This is a proposal, not a rule in effect, and DHS...
CPT Lawsuit Filed: Universities Challenge ICE’s New F-1 Rules
A group of higher education organizations went to federal court in Massachusetts on October 5, 2026, to contest the way ICE has narrowed Curricular Practical Training for F-1 students. The groups behind the case are NAFSA, the Association of American Universities, the Presidents' Alliance, and AICUM, which speaks for independent colleges in...
USCIS RFE vs. NOID: How to Respond and What Happens Next
A Request for Evidence and a Notice of Intent to Deny can both show up after you file with USCIS, and at first glance they look alike. They are different notices with different deadlines, and knowing which one you hold is the first step toward a response the officer will accept.
Why EB-1A Approval Rates Have Dropped Sharply in 2026
USCIS's own quarterly data tells a striking story about the EB-1A extraordinary ability green card this year. Approval rates have fallen from roughly 66.9% for all of FY 2025 to about 47.5% in the first quarter of FY 2026, then to roughly 41.7% in the second quarter, and down to approximately 32%...
October Immigration Update: Visa Bulletin, H-1B Changes, Public Charge & More
The October 2026 edition of NPZ & B Law Group’s U.S. and Canadian Immigration Newsletter covers important developments affecting employers, foreign nationals, families, and travelers. Highlights include the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, new H-1B layoff-related scrutiny, the updated public charge rule, expanded social media screening for TN, TD, and I visa applicants,...
Working in Canada as a CUSMA Professional: What Officers Check on a T36 Work Permit Application
A U.S. or Mexican citizen with a Canadian job offer in one of 63 listed professions can obtain a Canadian work permit without a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). It is Canada’s counterpart to TN status in the United States. Our earlier post on CUSMA work permits covers the four categories...
E-1, E-2, or L-1: Choosing the Right Visa to Bring Your Business to the U.S.
A foreign company that already operates abroad and wants to move people into the United States — to run a new office, service a contract, or oversee an investment — usually has more than one visa category available to it. The right choice depends less on preference and more on the shape...
ICE Reclassified Common Form I-9 Mistakes as Fineable Violations: What Employers Need to Fix Before an Audit
Until this spring, an employer who left a date off Section 2 of a Form I-9 could expect a short window to correct it if ICE ever came knocking. That window has closed for many of the most common paperwork errors. On March 16, 2026, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement updated its...
Marriage Green Card in 2026: Process, Timeline, and Cost
A wedding, on its own, does not change anyone's status with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. It creates the possibility of a green card, but reaching that green card still runs through the right paperwork in the right sequence, real proof that the marriage is genuine, and a fork in the road...
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