DHS has proposed a rule that would eliminate the 60-day grace period for H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, and other work-based nonimmigrants after their employment ends, requiring immediate departure instead. Public comments on this proposed 60-day grace period elimination are due by November 10, 2026.
DHS has proposed a $103,265 H-1B cap-subject petition fee to fund immigration system costs across USCIS, ICE, CBP, EOIR, DOS, and DOL — and public comments are open through September 24, 2026. Find out what this proposed rule could mean for employers filing cap-subject petitions.
Federal law requires H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 worksites to be physical locations where work is actually performed, not P.O. Boxes or commercial mail drops. A cross-reference of over 437,000 Department of Labor records against virtual mailbox listings in California, Texas, and New York flagged 184 cases where employers declared a virtual mailbox as a sponsored worker’s physical workplace.
DHS is amending its regulations to clarify that the 9-11 Biometric Fee for H-1B and L-1 visas applies to all extension of status petitions, including those without a change of employer. Covered employers should review how this H-1B biometric fee rule change affects their upcoming filings.
USCIS has confirmed it received sufficient petitions to fill both the 65,000 H-1B visa cap and the 20,000 master’s cap exemption for fiscal year 2027, meaning no additional H-1B cap-subject petitions will be accepted for this cycle.
USCIS has released FY2026 Q1 data for H-1B, L-1, O-1, and other work visas, highlighting RFE and denial trends. L-1B and O-1 petitions faced elevated scrutiny, while H-1B volumes remained high with significant pending caseloads.
The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed revising prevailing wage calculations for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and PERM cases, potentially increasing wage requirements and affecting employer sponsorship costs, compliance strategies, and workforce planning for foreign professionals.
USCIS has completed the FY 2027 H-1B initial registration selection process after receiving enough entries to meet the annual cap and master’s cap. Selected petitioners may now file full H-1B petitions within the designated filing period.
USCIS has announced the FY 2027 H-1B cap initial registration period will open March 4–19, 2026. Employers must register electronically and pay the $10 fee for each foreign worker they intend to sponsor.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has finalized a weighted selection process for H-1B visas, effective FY 2027, prioritizing higher-skilled and higher-paid workers while allowing opportunities at all wage levels. This beneficiary-centric system aims to enhance U.S. competitiveness and protect domestic jobs by weighting registrations based on OEWS wage levels.
