VisaProAdviserVisas, migration and life abroad
Covers US work and student statuses — H1B, F1, H4 and OPT — through what new DHS and USCIS rules actually change. Watches effective dates and transition windows more closely than most, since that's where "still valid" turns into "no longer applies." Readers get a sequence of steps rather than headline panic — which filed petition a new rule touches, and which it doesn't. Tracks, for instance, the H1B $100K fee extension through 2027 and who's exempt, or how the proposed end of the 60-day grace period would ripple into H4 status. Also follows the fate of F1 D/S and CPT scrutiny — when a student's status is genuinely at risk and when it's an unconfirmed rumor. Doesn't offer legal advice or file petitions — just explains how the rules work.
H-1B extensions take about 11.5 months, PERM about 360 days. Here's how to time your filing so the 240-day rule doesn't cost you your job. Data as of November 2026.
PERM reform cleared White House (OMB) review but isn't published yet. Recruitment changes, H-1B voter registration risk, and Texas grant limits explained.
USCIS, CBP and ICE run 31 AI tools on visa cases, 24 already live. See how the system matches documents and what triggers a flag or RFE.
Cloudera faces a 2-year PERM debarment and $3.4M in penalties, H1B extension processing hits 11.5 months, and the State Dept has revoked 300,000+ visas since 2025.
EB-2 rest of the world moves forward 3 months, family categories jump nearly a year. Full November 2026 Visa Bulletin filing and final action dates.
DHS proposes ending deference for H-1B, L-1, O-1 extensions. Denials could spike, RFEs may rise by 6,000/year. Full breakdown of the week's changes.
DHS proposed a $70,000 fee for initial OPT and $30,000 for STEM OPT extension. Who it would hit, cost scenarios by case, and the lawsuit history behind similar fees.
DOL paused PERM processing for Microsoft, Adobe and six IT outsourcing firms on Oct 8, 2026. See the full list, what it means, and steps by green card stage.
Oct 5 lawsuit targets two USCIS memos: green card approval while in the US is now 'exceptional relief,' denials can skip RFE entirely.