The U.S. Department of State has added a new “Specialized Trainer” subcategory to the B-1 business visitor classification, offering multinational companies a clearer framework for bringing foreign experts to the United States to transfer proprietary knowledge to U.S. workers.
The DOS published a temporary final rule amending the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services to establish a new fee for expedited nonimmigrant visa interview appointments.
The Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services have announced expansions to screening and vetting across consular visa processing and USCIS immigration benefit adjudications.
Continue Reading DOS and USCIS Expand Immigration Screening Across Visas and Benefits
With annual appropriations for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) having lapsed on Feb. 14, 2026, immigration stakeholders are again navigating the practical consequences of a DHS-specific shutdown. Despite the current shutdown, most DHS immigration functions continue, but the impact may vary across agencies and programs. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the Department
In November 2025, both the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State (DOS) signaled changes to how the U.S. government will determine whether visa applicants or those seeking permanent residence are “likely to become a public charge.” While both agencies are moving toward a broader, more discretionary approach, their guidance reveals important
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has added additional countries to the list of nationals subject to the visa-bond pilot program (as reported in our previous blog pieces on Zambia and the Gambia). Beginning Oct. 23, 2025, nationals of Mali, Mauritania, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Tanzania will be required to post a refundable
The federal government shutdown is disrupting some immigration functions. Most significantly, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)’s FLAG system is down, preventing the filing of LCAs, prevailing wage requests, and PERM applications. While U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and the U.S. Department of State (DOS) remain operational due to fee-based funding, employers should prepare
The Department of State (DOS) has expanded the visa bond pilot program under Section 221(g)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) to include The Gambia, effective Oct. 11, 2025. This follows the recent designation of Zambia and Malawi on Aug. 20, 2025. Nationals of these three countries who are otherwise eligible for a B-1/B-2
On Sept. 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued updated guidance directing that nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants (E, F, H, J, L, O, etc.) must generally schedule their visa interview appointments at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country of nationality or legal residence.
For nationals of countries where routine NIV processing is