The March 2026 Visa Bulletin brings measured forward movement across several Employment-Based categories, continued stability in most Family-Based preferences, and important news — the Employment Fourth Preference Certain Religious Workers (SR) category has been extended through September 30, 2026. The Department of State also notes that immigrant visa issuance patterns have shifted...
Executive Order Expands Criminal Information Sharing: What Visa Waiver Travelers and Noncitizens Should Know
On February 6, 2026, a new Executive Order titled “Protecting the National Security and Welfare of the United States and its Citizens from Criminal Actors and Other Public Safety Threats” was signed into law. The order focuses on expanding criminal information sharing between the United States and certain foreign governments.
While...
U.S. E Visas: How Nationality Affects Eligibility, Validity, and Application Requirements
E visas are treaty-based nonimmigrant visas available to qualifying investors (E-2) and treaty traders (E-1). While the core legal framework is federal, one critical factor often overlooked is nationality.
Nationality determines not only whether someone qualifies for an E visa, but also how long the visa is issued for,...
Canada Introduces New Express Entry Categories for 2026: What Skilled Workers Should Know
Canada has announced significant updates to its Express Entry system for 2026, introducing new targeted categories and adjusting eligibility criteria for several existing streams.
These changes signal a continued shift toward more focused, labour-market-driven immigration selection.
If you are considering applying through Express Entry — or...
USCIS Proposes Major Changes to the H-1B Registration Selection Process for FY 2027
USCIS has announced proposed revisions to the H-1B cap registration system that could significantly change how beneficiaries are selected for FY 2027.
If implemented, the changes would move the H-1B lottery away from a purely random selection model and toward a weighted system tied to wage levels.
Court Ruling Alters TPS Status for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua: Immediate Compliance Considerations
A recent appellate court development has shifted the legal landscape for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders from Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua.
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit has allowed the federal government’s prior TPS termination decisions to move forward while litigation continues. As a result, earlier...
Worksite Resource: “No ICE Access” Posters.
For any U.S. employers who have attended (or who want to attend) NPZ’s training program on potential ICE visits and emergency response protocols, please see our “No ICE Access” posters for dissemination. These posters are designed to help employers communicate that entry into non-public areas requires a valid judicial warrant, and they...
ABCs of H-1Bs (This Is Part 4 of a 7-Part Series): The Whys and Hows of Education and/or Experience Evaluations in the Context of H-1B Visa Preparation and Filing
The threshold question for an H-1B nonimmigrant work visa is whether the intending H-1B nonimmigrant has the equivalence of a U.S. Bachelor’s Degree in a specific field. Most of the prospective H-1B employees and H-1B employers begin with either of the following two thoughts: “I would like to work in the U.S. using...
February 2026 Immigration Update: H-1B Lottery Dates, Visa Bulletin News, Workplace Enforcement & Key U.S. and Canadian Developments
NPZ Law Group’s latest Immigration & Nationality Law Newsletter provides important updates for employers, families, medical institutions, and international applicants. This issue highlights the FY 2027 H-1B cap registration period (March 4–19, 2026), I-9 audits and workplace enforcement strategies, EB-1A developments, I-130 processing delays, Visa Bulletin updates, religious worker visa changes, and...
Federal Court Preserves TPS Work Authorization for Haiti and Other Countries: What Employers Should Do Now
Recent federal court rulings have temporarily preserved Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for certain countries, including Haiti, while litigation continues. For employers, this means work authorization for affected employees remains valid for now.
However, the legal landscape is evolving, and employers should understand what these rulings mean for Form I-9...
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