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

Immigration experts are highlighting a steep drop in H-1B visa filings in the current fiscal year. According to their analysis and projections, the visa filing rate may have plummeted as low as by a staggering 50%.

The annual race for the United States’ most sought-after work visa has officially begun. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has opened the registration window for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 H-1B cap. But this year’s process is far from routine. Major policy changes like the wage-weighted lottery system and new cost implications are going to play out in this fiscal year.

Canada’s immigration minister, Lena Metlege Diab, announced something long anticipated: the Temporary Resident to Permanent Resident in Canada pathway is now active. It is about to open the door for 33,000 foreign workers who are already filling different job roles in Canada.

For families in the United States on H-1B visas, the H-4 visa is what allows spouses and children to stay together in the country legally. It provides dependents of H-1B workers the ability to live in the U.S., attend school, and, in some cases, even work through an H-4 EAD (Employment Authorization Document). However, the H-4 visa is not permanent. It must be renewed periodically whenever the H-1B holder extends their status or when the visa stamp expires. Previously, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) granted a 540-day automatic extension for the H-4 visas. However, with the recent cancellation of this period for certain visa categories, the H-4 visa holders need to remain more cautious than ever.

In immigration law, some cases quietly shape policy through a radical re-questioning. One such case is Matter of Hira, a landmark ruling that clarified what kinds of activities a foreign visitor may legally perform in the United States on a B-1 business visa. Hira was a 28-year-old tailor from India who worked under a Hong Kong company. Yet, his case, which stemmed from his visit to the company’s U.S. customers, completely reshaped and redefined the contours of the U.S. visa law.

Last Friday, a U.S. federal judge ruled that the cancellation of an Indian student’s F-1 visa was unlawful. The case has spotlighted controversial enforcement tactics that target minor past conduct. Due to debates around U.S. visa policy, the case has already gained a sensational status.

For decades, Anil Rijal stood behind the camera, shaping stories that reached millions. He helped pioneer modern television in Nepal. His documentaries won awards, and his name carried weight in his industry. On paper, it looked like the journey of a man who had already proven himself extraordinary. But when Anil Rijal applied for a U.S. green card under the prestigious EB-1A “extraordinary ability” category, the answer from United States Citizenship and Immigration Services was a firm denial.

Many of our talented clients often wonder whether they can go beyond their present status of O-1 visa holder to a U.S. permanent residency. To this query, our answer has always been that there is not only one but five highly feasible pathways from the O-1 to a green card. And here, we are going to share a glimpse of all five pathways and what you need to succeed in each one of them. We will begin this detailed analysis from the very basics, including what exactly an O-1 visa is and all the legal frameworks you need to be aware of for the transition.

According to the latest policy shift, Green Card holders, legally known as lawful permanent residents (LPRs), will no longer be eligible for U.S. government-backed small business loans starting March 1, 2026. The updated rule, issued by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), reverses decades of practice and raises critical questions about access to capital for immigrant-founded businesses.

Merit-based pathways are undoubtedly the best ways to secure permanent residency in the U.S. But, there are differences and variations within the merit-based pathways themselves. There are at least three merit-based immigration avenues in the U.S. that an applicant can pursue by leveraging their genius. In this blog, we break down these three prominent options: EB-1A, EB-2 NIW, and O-1A. In this overview, you will get a clear account of their criteria and some common use case scenarios.