Insights & Updates on EB-1A Green Card and U.S. Immigration

On Tuesday, the Spanish Government announced that it will naturalize potentially hundreds of thousands of immigrants living and working in the country without documents or authorization. With this exemplary policy update, Spain’s government has given a fitting rebuttal to the major trends of the increasingly harsher immigration policies imposed in the United States and the rest of Europe.

There are many unsaid nuances in the immigration laws that may often cause additional trifles and drudgeries for the visa aspirants. And, among the many legal troubles our clients face, one of the most frequent ones to surface is how to deal with RFE and NOID. It often stays unclear to many visa aspirants how to differentiate these two, and moreover, how exactly they legally differ from each other.

According to the reports of several news outlets, the US consulates across India have rescheduled several stamping interview dates further down into 2027. Undoubtedly, this update has caused major stir and disruptions among the Indian professionals. Visa offices in Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Kolkata no longer have regular interview slots available. Here, our Eb-1a experts have directly focused on this news in elaborate detail.

The United States has undoubtedly been the most important magnet for Indian aspirants and professionals. And, one of the real anchors for many Indians’ career dreams was the H-1B visa. However, after the latest fee imposition and increasing screening and vetting, many Indians are at a crossroads of ending their dreams unrealized.

One recent news has injected a rare glimmer of hope into an otherwise challenging landscape for green card United States applicants. According to recent reporting, the pause on immigrant visa processing for 75 countries, announced by the U.S. State Department and effective January 21, 2026, could create as many as 50,000 extra Green Cards in the next fiscal year.

Indian professionals who are seeking to enter or return to the United States on an H-1B visa are facing unprecedented challenges. Interview dates at U.S. consulates across India, once relatively predictable, are now pushed into 2027. This phenomenon has transformed routine visa stamping into a long-term career obstacle for high-skilled workers.

Several of our acquaintances on tourist visas have queried whether giving birth on a tourist visa automatically leads to the cancellation of the same. Moreover, there is a great deal of misconceptions and rumours surrounding this issue. This is precisely why our EB-1A experts have picked this topic to discuss in detail.

The EB-1A green card is often described as the fastest and most prestigious path to U.S. permanent residency. But what many applicants underestimate is how unforgiving USCIS scrutiny can be. An otherwise impressive profile can quickly collapse if it contains avoidable red flags, mistakes that experienced EB-1A experts see repeatedly in denied or RFE-heavy cases.

Florida is emerging as one of the most upfront states in the nation when it comes to taking action against illegal immigration. In early 2026, state leaders underscored this direction with new enforcement funding and expanded law enforcement cooperation with federal agencies.

The U.S. immigration landscape is shifting once again with the Trump administration’s renewed efforts to broaden the public charge rule. The latter is a legal test used to determine whether an immigrant is likely to become dependent on government assistance. While the rule has existed for more than a century, the current push to expand its scope could affect millions of immigrant families and reshape legal immigration in profound ways.

In a thunderbolt of immigration policies, the Trump administration announced an indefinite suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries starting January 21, 2026. The move, confirmed by the U.S. State Department and reported widely by global news outlets, is framed as part of an effort to “protect U.S. public resources” by restricting entry to individuals deemed likely to become reliant on government welfare.

The February 2026 Visa Bulletin brought renewed attention to one of the most talked-about issues in U.S. immigration: the long-standing backlog for Indian nationals in employment-based green card categories. For applicants from India pursuing permanent residency through work visas such as EB-1, EB-2, and EB-3, the latest bulletin shows very little forward movement in cutoff dates. The data released this month underscores how competitive and congested the employment-based immigration queue remains for Indian professionals.

The United Kingdom has taken an unusual step in the immigration debate by launching an official TikTok account aimed at showcasing immigration enforcement actions. This out of the box move has drawn global attention and local controversy. The government’s use of social media to highlight raids, arrests, and deportations marks a striking shift in how immigration policy is communicated and how public engagement is sought.

In early January 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump shared a chart on his Truth Social platform revealing “Immigrant Welfare Recipient Rates by Country of Origin”. The graphic lists welfare participation rates for immigrant households from about 120 countries and territories in the United States. The surprising absence of India from the list became a focal point of analysis in both U.S. and international news.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a significant change to premium processing fees, with increases that will take effect on March 1, 2026. These changes apply across both non-immigrant work visas and employment-based immigration petitions. If you depend on faster processing to meet career milestones or visa deadlines, the new fee structure directly affects your immigration planning and budget.

The Canadian administration put a harsh stop to the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) in 2026. In other words, it is continuing with a permanent pause as announced in the previous year.

The “public charge” rule is one of the most complex and controversial parts of U.S. immigration policy. At its core, it asks whether a non-citizen applying for a visa or a green card may become primarily dependent on government support. Traditionally, this test was narrow. It looked mostly at whether someone received cash welfare or long-term institutional care paid by government funds. Under the Trump administration, the definition of public charge expanded dramatically, with consequences that could reshape legal immigration.

Germany has been emerging as one of the world’s fastest-growing destinations for Indian students, but recent events have precipitated sharp concerns about the Indian students studying in Germany. What was once seen as a stable route to international education and future career opportunities has suddenly become uncertain for several hundred Indian students.

Last year, the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) published a major policy brief assessing the economic effects of the Trump administration’s immigration agenda. It offers the first comprehensive analysis of both legal and illegal immigration changes on the U.S. economy. The report projects dramatic shifts in the labor market, gross domestic product (GDP) growth, and fiscal outcomes through 2035.

The Trump administration has added several countries to a list of nations whose passport holders will be obliged to post bonds of up to $15,000 to apply to enter the United States. Now the list is comprised of 13 countries, with all but two of them in Africa. The new imposition has made the visa process unaffordable for many.

The O-1 visa, or more specifically, the O-1B visa, is reserved for artists with extraordinary ability. However, recent reports show that the influencers and OnlyFans models are dominating among the successful applicants for this visa category.

Applying for a U.S. visa is not just about forms, supporting documents, or answering tough questions at the consulate anymore. Increasingly, your online presence, from LinkedIn to Instagram, Facebook to TikTok, has become part of your immigration dossier. And here’s the twist: scrubbing your digital footprint at the last minute may actually raise a red flag during your U.S. visa interview.

In late 2025, a striking new trend emerged from the United States; one that cuts across careers, cultures, and communities. A major 2025 Survey of Immigrants conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) in partnership with The New York Times uncovered a powerful undercurrent of fear among immigrants in the U.S., including a large share of Indian professionals and families. According to the survey’s findings, nearly three in ten immigrants have deliberately avoided travel, both within and outside the U.S., to stay under the radar of immigration authorities.

The new H-1B visa rule remains one of the most important reforms amidst the crucial changes in the immigration policy under Donald Trump’s administration. Though the rule is going to be formally published and written down in the Federal Register today, much of it remains unclear and mysterious. Experts are already asking questions about whether the rule is going to supplant the old O-1 visa, and has even the potential to completely replace it.

Late December, the U.S. Embassy in India issued a “Worldwide Alert” for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants. This advisory, shared on social media and official channels, comes amid expanded visa vetting processes and prolonged processing times that are now being experienced globally for these visa categories. So, what does this notice exactly say? And, what do applicants need to know right away?

A group of immigration attorneys has recently come out to address a trend they have been noticing since the beginning of December: sudden revocations of U.S. Visas, particularly the H-1B. Prominent immigration attorney Rahul Reddy spoke in detail about the perplexity that surrounds this new trend.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a final rule fundamentally changing the H-1B visa selection process. It replaces the long-standing random lottery with a wage-weighted approach designed to prioritize higher-paid and higher-skilled foreign workers.

USCIS has recently released a policy update that aims to strengthen both protections for genuine survivors of domestic abuse and the integrity of U.S. immigration processes. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released this updated guidance for the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) program.

In a major legal and policy development, a U.S. federal judge has refused to block President Donald Trump’s controversial $100,000 fee on new H-1B visa applications. This ruling marks a significant victory for the Trump administration’s immigration agenda.

As the U.S. Department of State released the January 2026 Visa Bulletin, Indian professionals tracking their employment-based (EB) immigrant visa progress saw notable priority date movements in the Employment-Based categories.

In late December 2025, The Independent reported that the Trump administration is advancing plans that could significantly reshape U.S. citizenship policy. This development marks one of the most consequential shifts in U.S. immigration policy in decades, as it has touched on constitutional rights and sparked intense legal debate. The report suggests that the administration is gearing up to strip more foreign-born Americans of their citizenship.

Over hundreds of Indian professionals on H-1B visas are stranded in India after their visa appointments were abruptly cancelled and postponed. They are currently unable to return to their jobs after travelling to India for visa renewals this month.

A prominent republican senator justified suspending the US Diversity Visa Lottery, commenting that it is not about racism but the security of the entire nation.

Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security Secretary, has authorised the suspension of the green card lottery program at Donald Trump’s advice. As a reason for her step, she remarked that it allowed the suspect in the Brown University and MIT shootings to enter the US.

UK government advisors are considering putting a stop to visa salary discounts for PhD holders. In defense of this decision, the advisers have argued that there is no evidence that people with doctorates tend to be paid less than other skilled workers.

From December 15 onwards, the US State Department has intensified its social media vetting procedure for skilled workers and employees. Both H-1B and H-4 professionals will be taken under the elaborate vetting procedure. Interestingly, while there is no official disclaimer, some candidates are now receiving a 221(g) slip.

In a major change in U.S. immigration policy, the Trump administration has expanded its travel ban to encompass 39 countries whose citizens face either full or partial restrictions on entry into the United States. Announced in a White House proclamation on December 16, 2025, this latest policy update marks one of the most ambitious iterations of travel curbs seen in recent decades.

In a recent update, we came to know that Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, two qualified participants in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, have been added to the expanding U.S. travel ban list under President Donald Trump’s administration.

With the pomp of the FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the U.S. Government is also ramping up screening and vetting, along with introducing some brave new measures. One such remarkable measure includes President Trump and the White House Task Force announcing a plan to deploy more than 400 additional consular officers, along with increased staffing at the high-demand agencies.

For years, visa interviews focused on paperwork, intent, and credentials. Today, however, your smartphone may matter as much as your passport. According to immigration attorneys cited by The Times of India and other news outlets, U.S. border officers are increasingly scrutinising the social media activity of foreign nationals, including holders of H-1 (speciality occupation), H-2 (temporary workers), and H-3 (trainees) visas.

A handful of H-1B and H-4 visa holders in the US are reportedly receiving emails from the consulate stating their visas have been prudentially revoked. This is happening almost concurrently with the postponement of H-1B visa interviews. Generally, these emails have caused quite a lot of stir and panic among the applicants. Many visa holders have found it difficult to make sense of the phrase: ‘Prudentially revoked.’

On December 12, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a new photo policy aimed at fortifying identity verification and reducing fraud in the immigration system.

In an important advisory that has grabbed international headlines, the U.S. Embassy in India has issued a clear and firm warning to visa applicants: if the primary purpose of your travel is to give birth in the United States to secure citizenship for your child, your tourist visa application will be denied.

In a major development that has caught the attention of global travellers and immigration watchers alike, the United States is proposing new travel screening requirements that would dramatically expand the digital footprint required from many foreign visitors. However, Indian tourists will not be subject to the controversial social media vetting rule.

International tourists intending to travel to the U.S. could also face social media scrutiny, which, according to several outlets, can now reach up to five years of social media history screening and vetting.

At GCEB1, we have already covered the new social media vetting rule implemented by the USCIS. However, its impact could be felt far and beyond, causing panic and freezing visa appointments.

U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem hinted on Thursday that the U.S. plans to expand the number of countries restricted by the travel ban to more than 30. She was also asked in an interview with Fox News to confirm whether the Trump administration would extend the travel ban list to around 32 countries.

In a recent Newsroom update on 5th December, Thursday, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a centralized establishment to fortify screening, and in their own language, ‘to keep America safe’.

The Trump administration has recently introduced yet another bottleneck into its immigration policy. On Thursday, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revised its policy manual to sharply restrict the length of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for several categories of immigrants.

On Wednesday, the Trump administration imposed a fresh measure of vetting on the H-1B visa, which remains the latest to date. The crux of this vetting is stated in an internal State Department memo, saying that anyone involved in “censorship” of free speech would be considered a potential rejection.

The leading India-based companies are witnessing a breathtaking drop in the number of H-1B visa approvals in FY25. This striking drop has been recorded and noted by the National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) analysis of the USCIS data.

Elon Musk, the luminary innovator and the world’s wealthiest man, contributed his latest remark to the ongoing H-1B visa row. In the People By WTF podcast hosted by Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Musk voiced this statement.

A big breaking news has erupted everywhere as Donald Trump vows to permanently pause all migration from Third World Countries. However, though the announcement is sharp and point-blank, much remains unclear so far.

Indian-American Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi has long been one of the most vocal advocates for high-skilled immigrant workers in the United States.

The United States is moving toward one of the biggest overhauls of its international student visa regime in decades. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has formally proposed ending the long-standing “duration of status” (D/S) policy and scrapping the “Intent to Leave” requirement for visa applicants.

In a surprising turn of events, the H-1B visa debate has sparked a fierce internal conflict within the conservative Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement.

In a striking move that underscores growing concerns within its international education sector, Australia’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has issued a Student Visa Integrity Alert.

In a striking appearance at the US–Saudi Investment Forum, former President Donald Trump made a bold case for bringing in highly skilled foreign workers, even as his “America First” supporters erupted in dissent.

Immigration pathways for high earners just became easier in the UK. People from a premium salary class will be allowed to settle down permanently in the UK within as little as three years.

UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has recently stepped in with a big announcement last Monday. She spoke of an effective visa ban on countries unless they accept the deported criminals and illegal immigrants, i.e. inhabitants of their own nations.

In a fresh announcement, the Department of Homeland Security, aka DHS, has revealed the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 inflationary adjustments to certain immigration fees in compliance with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1).

When it comes to hiring foreign-born talent, America’s tech giants are leading the way. The Government data shows that tech giants like Amazon, Meta Platforms, Microsoft, and Google had the most approved new H-1B petitions in FY 2025.

In a welcome development for Indian travellers, the U.S. B1-B2 visa interview wait times have dropped significantly across several consulates, with Hyderabad recording the shortest waiting period among major Indian cities. According to Business Standard, the new data from the U.S. Department of State’s Global Visa Wait Times portal suggests a marked improvement compared to previous years.

In the boiling cauldron of H-1B, Elon Musk adds his latest spice. In a controversial remark, he voiced that there is a dearth of individuals in America who are capable of performing demanding physical labour. His remark additionally emphasises that the Americans are often unwilling to undergo specialised training for such roles.

The December U.S. visa bulletin is out. And, it has positive news for Indians in the employment-based categories.

Right after the U.S. President Donald Trump defended the H-1B visas, the Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem asserted that the H-1B program will remain active.

Only a few days after Donald Trump’s defense of the H-1B visa Program, Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene put forward a new bill designed to destroy the core of the H-1B program.

In an interview last Tuesday, U.S. President Donald Trump appeared to defend the H-1B visa program with the following words: “We have to bring in talent.”

On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump, in a counterintuitive jibe, endorsed having foreign students in U.S. Universities.

According to the reports of several news outlets, the USCIS has started releasing Requests for Evidence demanding payment of the newly imposed H-1B fee.

In a recent onslaught, the Trump administration has effected the severest yet crackdown on the H-1B misuse.

In a recent update, the Trump administration has reportedly counselled the American consular offices across the globe to intensify screening on potential green card applicants with certain health conditions.

According to several official reports and the Press Accounts, like the Washington Examiner, the U.S. administration has revoked more than 80,000 non-immigrant visas

As the U.S. visa landscape continues to be unwelcome to foreign students, another White House memo

As the Foreign Labor Application Gateway (FLAG) system is back online, employers in the United States can once again start submitting applications

In a newsroom announcement, the USCIS has stated that from 28th October, 2025 onwards, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will only accept electronic payments for paper-filed forms.

On 30th October, 2025, the US Labor Department posted a fifty-two-second video narrating how the very citizens of the US have been deprived of their American dreams.

In a recent resounding comment, US Vice President JD Vance has defended the Trump administration’s decision to reform and overhaul the H-1B visa program.

As an H-1B worker, you won’t get a job in Florida. Yes, you heard it right, as in a major offensive against immigrants, Florida has banned H-1B visa hiring.

In yet another jaw-dropping announcement, the US Department of Homeland Security has put forward an interim rule to block the automatic extension of the Employment Authorisation Documents (EAD) of all migrant workers.

The United States administration is about to implement photographic vetting of all non-citizens when they enter or exit the United States.

In a fresh update, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new regulation to decrease the EB-5 filing cost

In a recent update, the Department of Homeland Security has shared its new proposal to change two regulations for the F, J, and I visa categories.

In a firm and decisive statement, the White House has confirmed that it remains steadfast in defending the H-1B visa reforms, even as legal challenges pile up from universities and tech industry groups.

A most recent USCIS update has clarified what could be seen as one of the big reliefs yet for existing H-1 visa holders, including the Indians.

Previously, thousands of non-permanent residents, i.e., individuals dwelling and working in the U.S. under the umbrella of visas like H-1B

A proposed immigration regulation aims to bring a major transformation to the H-1B lottery system.

In a recent rebuttal, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has filed a legal challenge to the recently imposed $100,000 H-1B Visa fee.

Last Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a case that intended to disempower the dependents of H-1B visa holders.

As the U.S. Department of State released its November Visa Bulletin, many Indian nationals with employment-based green card aspirations were hoping for brighter news.

The most recent set of reforms spearheaded by the Trump administration has driven a final nail into the coffin of many Indians’ aspirations.

Let’s take a look at a fresh update on H-1B visa news. After the much-disputed $100,000 fee,

Last Friday, a coalition of unions, employers, and religious groups filed a lawsuit with the objective of stopping U.S.

The US government is undergoing a temporary shut down after the Congress and President Trump failed to reach an agreement regarding the funding bill.

We are set to witness further changes to the H-1B and L-1 worker visa programmes as the United State Lawmakers have come up with a fresh set of revisions last Monday.

The U.S. administration has escalated the surveillance directed towards foreign students under the Optional Practical Training or OPT programme.

Confused about the rumored $100,000 visa fee for F-1 OPT holders? Get clear answers from EB1 experts who break down the facts, and what this means for your U.S. immigration journey.

USCIS has very recently released an official statement on H-1B fees in their newsroom. This contains all the essential information you need to know about the recently imposed H-1B visa fee.

In a dramatic shift for U.S. immigration policy, a new one-time US$100,000 fee has been mandated for new H-1B visa petitions.

USCIS imposes a $100,000 yearly fee on H-1B visas, triggering uncertainty for Indian tech workers and companies. Discover why EB-1A is a vital alternative now.

The USCIS, as part of its broader overhaul, is now adding more questions to the civics test that the applicants need to pass as part of the citizenship screening. This would be, to date, the latest step by the Trump administration to tighten the reins on the immigration process.

When the U.S. Department of State releases the monthly Visa Bulletin, you can see two important checklists: the Final Action Dates and the Dates for Filing of Employment-Based Visa Applications.

Stay updated on the October 2025 EB1A visa bulletin. Learn how the EB1A bulletin impacts Indian applicants and why an EB-1A green card consultancy is needed.

Know the latest U.S. visa policy changes in September 2025: no more interview appointments abroad for non-immigrant visas. Here is a breakdown from one of the leading EB1 experts.

An alarming news item that surfaced a few days ago has compelled us to address it and write about it. As one of the leading EB1 experts, our mission is to champion the extraordinary individuals who enrich the United States with their talents.

If you are a visa aspirant, it is always best to have a clear grasp of the U.S. immigration requirements and laws. One such important legal formulation is the policy on public change.

Recently, the U.S. Department of State has revealed that no additional EB-2 visa slots will be available for the remainder of the fiscal year 2025. According to their official statement, the annual cap for this visa category has been reached.

In a recent social media post, the US Embassy in India on Saturday issued a new warning to Indian students. The post states that there would be ‘serious consequences’ if they break any laws or get detained for any reason.

In a recent revision, the US has modified the interview waiver list and called upon the majority of non-immigrants to appear in person for immigration interviews.

The F-1 visa students are set to face yet another new restriction, as the freshly admitted students will no longer have the privilege of transferring universities or changing courses immediately. They can only indulge in the changes after completing one year of study.

The Trump administration is about to impose yet another immigration bottleneck on students, participants of the exchange programme, and media visa holders. The proposal aims to limit the time of students in the U.S. to no more than four years.

In a recent interview with Fox News’s The Ingraham Angle, US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnik hinted at a possible plan to terminate the H-1B program. He commented ‘I'm involved in changing the H1-B visa program.

In a recent social media post, US Republican Senator Mike Lee has vented his desire to put a stop to the H-1B visa system. This is the visa system on which a large chunk of highly skilled Indian workers depend.

A State Department Statement on Thursday has brought to light a constant threat looming over the stability of every visa holder. All holders of valid U.S. visas would be subject to ‘Continuous vetting’ starting last Tuesday.

Multiple news outlets have reported that a cloud is looming over the visa landscape with the trump administration about to unleash its severest yet crackdown.

In a move poised to reshape travel norms, the U.S. Department of State has launched a 12-month pilot visa bond program on August 20, 2025, targeting select B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourist) visa applicants.

In recent times, more than 6000 student visas have faced revocation from the State Department under the Trump Administration.

The USCIS under the Trump Administration is making the citizenship criteria more and more stringent. Now, it has a new addition: the dimension of the applicant’s moral character.

In June 2025, international students applying for F, M, and J visas were met with a startling new requirement: make their social media profiles public for U.S. consular officers to review.

From September 2, 2025, the United States will roll back its Interview Waiver Programme, commonly known as the “Dropbox” facility, for most non-immigrant visas.

The H-1B visa has long symbolized opportunity and hope for many aspirants: the chance for skilled professionals to build thriving careers in the U.S. But today, this dream is under siege.

The September 2025 Visa Bulletin, issued by the U.S. Department of State, is the final checkpoint before the U.S. immigration system resets for a new fiscal year in October.

On August 1, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) introduced a series of sweeping updates to its family-based immigration policy manual.

In June 2025, several journals and online media have reported that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has tightened its scrutiny on employment-based visas, particularly EB-1A.

The Dignity Act is a layered and newly introduced bill that is going to change the face of the US immigration and all the surrounding landscape.

A brief overview of employment-based visa categories in the August 2025 visa bulletin.

The proclamation fully restricts and limits the entry of nationals from 12 countries found to be deficient with regard to screening and vetting and determined to pose a very high risk to the United States.

Let’s take a dive into this month’s visa bulletin and how it can help you take your next step.

Immigrants awaiting green cards depend on the US Department of State’s Visa Bulletin for updates, especially those applying through the employment-based (EB) visa from India