On August 24, 2026 the Department of Homeland Security submitted an H-1B specialty worker-related proposed rule to the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) for review. Titled Reforming the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program, the

On August 25, 2026 the Department of Homeland Security published a proposed rule that would establish an additional fee of $103,265 on all initial H‑1B cap‑subject petitions, payable at the time of filing. Cap-exempt H-1B petitions, such as those filed by institutions of higher education and other H

On August 20, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) submitted a proposed rule package for OMB/OIRA review titled, Optional Practical Training Fees . This rule making was not included in the most recent Regulatory Agenda, and DHS included no

NAFSA has prepared below a single-page version of the SEVP FAQ that appears on the Study in the States website at https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/final-rule-establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-faq. The SEVP FAQ page is organized by expandable question

On August 12, 2026 and August 24, 2026 the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published two broadcast messages that significantly narrow F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT) eligibility standards. The first Broadcast Message 2608-01 says at one point that CPT may be granted only if the

On August 10, 2026, BridgeUSA, the Department of State's Exchange Visitor Program within the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), produced Guidance Directive 2026-01: Final Rule Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission for Exchange Visitors (J Nonimmigrants), to provide