The U.S. Department of State has released the October 2026 Visa Bulletin, marking the start of the new federal fiscal year. October is always a significant month for employment-based immigration, as all annual visa numbers reset. This reset frequently results in forward movement for many categories, though some categories also see retrogressions...
On September 23, 2026, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy aimed at the people who organize and profit from birth tourism, rather than at expectant travelers alone. The policy relies on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision the Secretary can invoke when a...
Employers with workers in Massachusetts have a new compliance deadline to build into their ICE response playbook. Governor Maura Healey signed the PROTECT Act into law on August 5, 2026, and one provision took effect immediately: employers that receive a Notice of Inspection from ICE for Form I-9 records or other...
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its internal Program Delivery Instructions covering contractual service suppliers and independent professionals under three trade agreements: the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA), the Canada-United Kingdom Trade Continuity Agreement (CUKTCA), and the Canada-Korea Free Trade Agreement (CKFTA). The update, dated September 21,...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced an expansion of its online presence review for certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. Effective October 1, 2026, the expanded screening will include TN professionals, TD dependents, and I visa applicants who are representatives of foreign media.
As part of the new requirement,...
President Trump signed two H-1B-related actions on September 18, 2026: a proclamation extending the $100,000 H-1B fee originally imposed in September 2025 for another 12 months, and a separate Executive Order directing agencies to weigh an employer's recent layoffs when reviewing its H-1B petitions. The fee extension takes effect at 12:01...
A significant expansion of the public charge ground of inadmissibility takes effect today, September 18, 2026, even as a coalition of states and cities is actively suing to stop it. Unless a court intervenes on short notice, the new rule applies to admission applications filed today and after, along with adjustment of...
Stay informed with NPZ & B Law Group’s latest U.S. and Canadian immigration newsletter, covering important developments affecting individuals, families, students, employers, and foreign workers. This edition includes updates on the Duration of Status litigation, public charge changes, immigrant visa processing, EB-5 medical RFEs, F-1 CPT guidance, Form I-864, the September Visa...
As employers turn to budgeting and headcount planning for 2027, there's a step worth adding to that process that doesn't usually make the list: a review of where your sponsored foreign national employees actually stand. This year alone has brought an unusual volume of change to employment-based immigration, and a number of...
A new temporary Canadian immigration policy gives eligible work permit holders more flexibility to pursue short-term education and training without obtaining a separate study permit. Under the measure, workers with a valid work permit may study in a qualifying program lasting up to six months, subject to important conditions involving permit validity,...
