On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199, titled "Adjustment of Status is a Matter of Discretion and Administrative Grace, and an Extraordinary Relief that Permits Applicants to Dispense with the Ordinary Consular Visa Process". This memo has created significant buzz, and concern, among H-1B holders pursuing employment-based green cards. It doesn’t change the law or ban Adjustment of Status (AOS), but it dramatically shifts how USCIS officers view and adjudicate I-485 applications. Here’s a clear breakdown tailored for H-1B professionals. What Does the New Memo Actually Say? Adjustment of Status (I-485) is now framed as “extraordinary relief”, not a routine or automatic benefit, even if you meet all statutory requirements. Refer this. The preferred/default path is consular processing (leaving the U.S. to apply for an immigrant visa at a U.S. consulate abroad, usually in your home country). Officers must perform a totality-of-circumstances discretionary analysis, weighing positive and negative factors. Simply maintaining valid H-1B status (even with dual intent and an approved I-140) is not sufficient by itself to justify AOS. In short: USCIS is telling officers to stop treating AOS as the easy default for nonimmigrants and push more people toward consular processing. Specific Impact on H-1B Holders H-1B is a dual-intent visa, which the memo acknowledges as a positive or at least non-adverse factor compared to single-intent visas (like F-1 or B-1/B-2). This gives H-1B applicants a relatively stronger position than others. However: Expect heightened scrutiny, more Requests for Evidence (RFEs), and interviews. You’ll need to build a strong discretionary argument with positive equities (long lawful U.S. residence, U.S. citizen/family ties, critical skills/contributions to the U.S. economy, clean record, employer’s need, etc.). Many cases that previously would have been approved via AOS may now be denied with instructions to pursue consular processing instead. Good news on H-1B extensions: Your ability to extend H-1B status (including AC21 extensions based on an approved I-140) remains largely unchanged. You can continue working legally while waiting for your priority date. What Happens When Your Priority Date Becomes Current? Rather than submitting Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status within the U.S.): Once your priority date is current, you will probably be guided towards consular processing. The primary form to complete is the DS-260 (Immigrant Visa Application), which is submitted online with the Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC). In short, Priority Date Current → Case moves to NVC. Pay fees & Submit DS-260 — You fill out the online DS-260 form and upload supporting documents (birth certificate, police certificates, affidavits, etc.). NVC Review — NVC reviews everything (usually takes a few months). Interview Scheduled — You get an appointment at a U.S. consulate in India (commonly Mumbai, New Delhi, Chennai, or Hyderabad) / or your home country. Travel to Your Home Country — You attend the immigrant visa interview in person. If Approved — You receive an immigrant visa stamp in your passport and can re-enter the U.S. as a permanent resident (green card mailed later or upon entry). You can continue extending your H-1B and working in the U.S. throughout the NVC phase — you only need to leave when it’s time for the actual interview. Practical Tips for H-1B Green Card Applicants If your case is ready, consider filing I-485 soon while including a strong discretionary memo/brief highlighting positive factors. Strengthen your package — Gather evidence of ties, contributions, family situation, and reasons why AOS serves the national interest. Prepare for consular processing — Start planning for a potential trip home (job continuity, family arrangements, consulate delays). Consult an attorney — This memo is very new (just days old). Experienced counsel can help tailor your case. Bottom Line The new USCIS memo makes Adjustment of Status harder, but not impossible, for H-1B holders. Dual intent still helps, but you must now proactively prove why you deserve this “extraordinary” benefit instead of going through the standard consular route. This policy is fresh, and real-world adjudication patterns will evolve over the coming months. Monitor the monthly Visa Bulletin and official USCIS updates closely. This is for informational purposes only — consult a qualified immigration attorney for advice on your individual situation.

The average processing time for N-400 applications, which is used for Naturalization (U.S. Citizenship) across 91 USCIS field offices in the past six months, is 8 to 10 months . To get started, use the USCIS Field Office Locator to find your specific field office. Then, refer to the following table for N-400 processing times at individual field offices. Table of Contents: N-400 Processing Time View by Months View by Processing Dates N-400 Processing Time (by Months) N-400 Processing Time (by Date Range) The following table shows the date ranges that are currently being processed at each field office for the N-400 application. Next: GC Calculator Related Posts ✔ How to apply for an OCI card ✔ How to get H4 EAD in 15 days   ✔ Current green card priority dates for India Related Topics

The Trump administration has introduced a new plan that would require companies to pay significantly higher salaries to foreign workers on H-1B visas and certain green card programs. Right now, companies hiring foreign professionals for jobs in the U.S. must pay them at least the government’s “prevailing wage”. This is calculated using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. Jobs are divided into four levels based on the experience and skill required. The proposed rule would raise these minimum wage levels. Here’s what the changes mean in simple terms: H-1B Wage Level I (usually for entry-level or beginner jobs): Currently set at the 17th percentile — meaning the minimum wage is at a level where only 17% of U.S. workers in that occupation and area earn less. The new rule would raise it to the 34th percentile. Example: For an entry-level software developer role in a typical city, the required pay for an H-1B worker is often relatively low today (many fresh U.S. graduates already earn more). The change could increase the minimum by roughly 18% on average, bringing it closer to what many regular American workers in similar positions actually earn. H-1B Wage Level II (for workers with some experience): Currently at the 34th percentile → would rise to the 52nd percentile. Example: This moves the minimum pay from a lower-middle range closer to the average wage in that field and location. H-1B Wage Level III (for more experienced workers): Currently at the 50th percentile (the median or middle wage) → would rise to the 70th percentile. Example: Companies would need to pay at a level where 70% of U.S. workers in the same job and area earn less. H-1B Wage Level IV (for senior or highly skilled roles): Currently at the 67th percentile → would increase to the 88th percentile. Example: Only the top 12% of U.S. workers in that role would typically earn more than the new minimum. Why is the government doing this? The main goal is to prevent companies from using lower-paid foreign workers to replace or undercut American workers. Critics have long said that some IT consulting and outsourcing firms use the H-1B program to keep labor costs down. Major users of H-1B visas in recent years include companies like Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Tata Consultancy Services. Businesses argue that H-1B workers fill genuine skill shortages that are hard to find among U.S. workers and that they already pay competitive wages. The administration believes the current system has been abused, particularly for lower-level tech jobs. This is not the first attempt. A similar wage increase was proposed during Trump’s first term, faced court challenges, and was later withdrawn by the Biden administration. The current proposal revives the idea with updated methodology. It also builds on other recent changes: The H-1B visa lottery now uses a weighted system that gives better chances to higher-paid and more senior workers. A separate $100,000 fee applies to certain new H-1B hires from outside the United States. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer stated: “This proposed rule will help ensure that employers pay foreign workers wages that reflect the real market value of their labor, in addition to protecting the wages and job opportunities of American workers. The continued abuse of the H-1B program by certain bad actors will no longer be tolerated”. What happens next? The proposal is scheduled for official publication in the Federal Register on March 27, 2026. The public will have 60 days to submit comments. After reviewing feedback, the Department of Labor will decide on a final rule. If finalized, the changes would make it more expensive for companies to sponsor foreign workers for entry-level or mid-level positions. The program would shift more toward truly high-skilled, higher-paying roles.

Hey everyone, I'm just a regular guy who's been through the H-1B rollercoaster myself, staring at my computer screen, refreshing emails, and crossing my fingers every March. If you're like me, dreaming of that golden ticket to work in the US on an H-1B visa, you've probably heard the buzz about the big changes coming to the lottery system. USCIS (that's the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) dropped a new rule right before the holidays in 2025, and it's shaking things up for the FY2027 season starting in March 2026. I wanted to break it down in a way that feels real, not like some dry legal memo. Let's chat about what this "weighted selection process" really means, why it's happening, and how it might affect your chances. Grab a coffee, and let's dive in. First Off: A Quick Refresher on the H-1B Visa For those new to this (or needing a reminder), the H-1B is basically a work visa for skilled folks in fields like tech, engineering, medicine, or finance. It's super popular because it lets you live and work in the US for up to six years, and it's often a stepping stone to a green card. But here's the catch: there's a cap. Only 85,000 new H-1Bs are handed out each year, 65,000 for the "regular" pool and an extra 20,000 for people with a U.S. master's degree or higher (the "master's cap"). In the past, if more people applied than spots available (which happens every year, think over half a million registrations sometimes), it was a straight-up random lottery. Your employer's registration went into a big digital hat, and USCIS pulled out winners at random. Fair? Kinda. Exciting? Nope, more like nerve-wracking. No matter how qualified you were or how much the job paid, it was pure luck. The Big Change: Goodbye Random Draw, Hello Weighted H1B Lottery Fast-forward to now. Starting February 27, 2026, for the FY2027 cap (that's visas starting October 1, 2026), they're ditching the random lottery for something called a "weighted selection process". The idea? To give better odds to higher-paying, higher-skilled jobs. It's like the lottery where some tickets get entered multiple times based on how "premium" they are. This comes from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and it's all about "protecting American workers" by making sure H-1Bs go to roles that aren't undercutting U.S. salaries. Politics aside, it means your shot at winning depends more on the job's wage level than just dumb luck. How Does This Weighted Thing Actually Work? Okay, let's make this simple. Every H-1B job has to meet a "prevailing wage" based on what similar roles pay in that area. The Department of Labor breaks these into four levels: Level I: Entry-level gigs. Think fresh grads or basic roles, lowest pay. Level II: A bit more experience, mid-range salary. Level III: Seasoned pros, higher pay. Level IV: Top-tier experts, the big bucks. Under the new system, when your employer registers you, USCIS looks at the wage they're offering and assigns it to one of these levels (or an "equivalent" if the pay bumps it up). Then, in the selection pool: Level I registrations get entered once. Level II: Twice. Level III: Three times. Level IV: Four times. It's like buying more raffle tickets, the higher the level, the more entries, the better your odds. This applies to both the regular cap and the master's cap, so even if you have that advanced degree, wage still matters. For example, imagine two software engineers applying: You: Offered $90K (Level I) → 1 entry. Your buddy: Offered $150K (Level III) → 3 entries. If there are tons of applicants, your buddy's got a way better shot. But hey, if your employer sweetens the deal to push you into a higher level, boom, more entries for you too. Why Are They Doing This? And Is It Fair? From the government's side, it's about prioritizing "the best and brightest" and stopping companies from using H-1Bs for cheap labor. Remember those stories about outsourcing firms flooding the lottery with low-wage entries? This aims to curb that. Plus, it's in line with what Congress wanted when they created the program, focusing on specialty occupations that need real skills. But as someone who's wished on every shooting star for an H-1B, I get the mixed feelings. Pros for us dreamers: If you're in a high-demand, well-paid field (like AI, data science, or biotech), your chances just skyrocketed. It rewards negotiating better pay or aiming for senior roles. Overall, it might make the program more merit-based, which feels good if you're qualified. Cons: Entry-level folks or those from countries with lower salary norms might get squeezed out. If you're a recent grad, it could be tougher. Smaller companies or startups might struggle if they can't match big-tech salaries. And let's be real, it's still a lottery, just tilted. Luck isn't gone; it's just weighted. Some groups, like universities and hospitals, are worried it hurts roles that aren't super high-paid but are crucial (think researchers or doctors in rural areas). There might even be lawsuits before it kicks in, so keep an eye on updates. Tips for Boosting Your Chances in the New Era If you're gearing up for March 2026 registrations (exact dates coming soon, usually a short window), here's some straight talk from one hopeful to another: Talk Salary Early: Chat with your employer about the offered wage. Can they bump it to hit a higher level? Use tools like the Foreign Labor Certification Data Center to check prevailing wages for your job and location. Go for the Master's Cap if You Can: If you have (or are getting) a U.S. advanced degree, you're in that extra 20K pool first. Weighting applies there too, but it's a smaller, friendlier pond. Multiple Registrations? Nope: Remember, it's now "beneficiary-centric", you can only be registered once, even if multiple employers want you. Pick the best offer. Prep Your Docs: Even if selected, you'll need to file the full petition by around June. Get your degrees, experience letters, and job details ready. Stay Updated: Follow USCIS on their website or socials. Things change fast, premium processing fees are going up in March 2026 too (like from $1,685 to $1,780 for some forms). Backup Plans: H-1B isn't the only game. Look into O-1 for extraordinary talent, L-1 for intracompany transfers, or even student OPT extensions if you're in school. Wrapping It Up: Hope Amid the Changes The H1B lottery has always been a mix of hope, heartbreak, and "what ifs". This weighted system might make it feel a tad fairer for those gunning for top spots, but it's still a grind. If you're like me, maybe from India, China, or anywhere chasing the American dream, don't let it discourage you. Focus on building skills, networking, and finding employers who value you enough to pay up. What do you think? Will this help or hurt your chances? Drop a comment below, I'd love to hear your stories. And hey, fingers crossed for all of us in 2026. Let's make those dreams happen! Note: This is based on the latest from USCIS as of January 2026. Always double-check official sources like uscis.gov for the freshest info, and chat with an immigration lawyer for your specific situation. Not legal advice, just one guy's take.

To get started, use the USCIS field office locator to find your specific field office. Then, refer to the following table for N-600 processing times at individual field offices. N-600 Processing Time (by Months) You can also calculate the estimated time for your case by using the Dataneb processing time calculator . N-600 Processing (by Date Range) The following table shows the date ranges that are currently being processed at each field office for the N-600 application. Next: B1/B2 visa for parents Related Posts ✔ How to apply for an OCI card ✔ How to get H4 EAD in 15 days   ✔ Current green card priority dates for India Related Topics

What is FB to EB Spillover? "FB to EB Spillover" refers to the transfer of unused family-based (FB) green cards to the employment-based (EB) category in the following year. For example, if 20,000 family-based green cards are not used during a fiscal year, that number gets “spilled over” to the EB category for the next fiscal year. That’s the reason every year, employment-based green card applicants wait anxiously for one key number — the total number of unused FB green cards. And in 2025, there’s still some hope. On Jan 24, 2025, USCIS officially announced: "The employment-based (EB) annual limit for fiscal year (FY) 2025 will be higher than was typical before the pandemic, though lower than in FY 2021-2024. We are dedicated to using as many available employment-based visas as possible in FY 2025, which ends on Sept. 30, 2025". — reference However, no official numbers were disclosed. Multiple immigration law firms have estimated that, due to unused family-based (FB) visas rolling over, the EB visa cap for 2025 could reach at least 165,000, up from the standard 140,000. That’s an additional 25,000 visas. It may not sound huge at first, but this kind of spillover could make a real difference—especially for countries like India and China, where green card backlogs have been growing for decades. But when we dug deeper into the numbers—and our analysis suggested that the actual spillover might be even higher than 25,000 if the numbers provided on DHS official websites are accurate. How We Calculated the 2025 FB to EB Spillover? We calculated the FB to EB green card spillover estimates on real data published by Department of Homeland Security . Each year, any unused family-sponsored (FB) green cards roll over to the employment-based (EB) categories in the next fiscal year. The logic is simple: if FB doesn’t use up its annual quota of 226K, those leftover numbers get added to the EB cap of 140K. We have seen this trend matching with spillover to EB in the past and expect the similar pattern for the year 2025. Let’s break down how this has worked over the last few years and how we arrived at our 60,000 spillover estimate for 2025. 🦠 2021 Spillover: Pandemic Year COVID severely disrupted consular processing in 2021. Only 65,690 FB green cards were issued, out of a cap of 226,000. That left a massive ~150,000 unused visas to spillover into EB for FY 2022, making 2022’s EB cap ~290,000 (140k base + 150k spillover). Breakdown by quarter (2021): 2021 Q1: 6,821, Q2: 6,951, Q3: 18,352, Q4: 33,566 Total FB issued: 65,690 (AOS + NVC) Spillover to EB from 2021: ~150,000 Expected EB Cap 2022: 140,000 base + 150,000 spillover = ~290,000 Actual EB Cap 2022: 281,000 📈 2022: Rebound but Still a Big Spillover In 2022, FB numbers rebounded but still fell short. USCIS issued 165,642 FB green cards, leaving around 60,000 unused. These rolled over into EB for FY 2023, boosting the cap to approximately 200,000 (140k base + ~60k spillover). Breakdown by quarter (2022): Q1: 44,174, Q2: 38,118, Q3: 38,736, Q4: 44,614 Total FB issued: 165,642 (AOS + NVC) Spillover to EB from 2022: ~60,000 Expected EB Cap 2023: 140,000 base + 60,000 spillover = ~200,000 Actual EB Cap 2023: 197,000 📉 2023 Spillover: Backlogs and Processing Limits In 2023, USCIS used 202,550 FB visas, leaving around 23,000 unused, which spilled over into EB for 2024. This made 2024’s EB cap around 163,000. Breakdown by quarter (2023): Q1: 50,640, Q2: 49,600, Q3: 56,080, Q4: 46,230 Total FB issued: 202,550 (AOS + NVC) Spillover to EB from 2023: ~23,000 Expected EB Cap 2024: 140,000 base + 23,000 spillover = ~163,000 Actual EB Cap 2024: 161,000 ❌ 2024: Estimated Spillover for 2025 (Q4 Estimated) As of June 02, 2025: we have the first three quarters from 2024: Q1: 34,110, Q2: 31,850, Q3: 45,240 Q4 (estimated): ~55,400 (based on past averages, as official data from DHS is not yet released) Total FB issued: 166,600 (AOS + NVC) Spillover to EB from 2024: ~60,000 Expected EB Cap 2025: 140,000 base + 60,000 spillover = ~200,000 Actual EB Cap 2025: Yet to be officially confirmed So far, the numbers suggest that around 60,000 FB visas may spill over into the EB category for FY 2025. However, since Q4 data is still estimated, the final spillover could change. If Q4 ends up being higher than expected, the EB cap may come down slightly from this estimate. We'll have to wait for DHS to release the official year-end numbers to confirm. ✅ 2024: Finalized Spillover for 2025 (Q4 Confirmed) As of Jun 24, 2025: The official Q4 numbers are in: 73,210  family-based (FB) visas were issued in Q4 — significantly higher than the earlier estimate of ~55,400. The full quarterly breakdown for FY 2024 is now: Q1: 34,130, Q2: 32,000, Q3: 45,320, Q4: 73,210 Total FB issued: 184,660 (AOS + NVC) Spillover to EB from 2024: ~41,340 This means 41,340 FB visas went unused in FY 2024 and should spill over into the EB category for FY 2025. Expected EB Cap for FY 2025 = 140,000 base + 41,340 spillover = ~181,340 Actual EB Cap 2025 = Still pending USCIS confirmation The final spillover is lower than originally projected, due to unexpectedly high FB usage in Q4 — especially compared to prior years. Still, a spillover of over 41,000 is a strong boost for the EB categories going into FY 2025. Impact of FB to EB Spillover in 2025 For countries that are always oversubscribed—India and China, mainly—this FB to EB spillover is often the only lifeline to see any real forward movement in final action dates. Without it, progress is painfully slow. This doesn’t benefit all EB categories, but mostly EB1—and luckily, as of now, the "Rest of the World" EB1 category is current, which means the majority of the spillover will directly benefit India and China, EB1 category. As per the Jan 03, 2025 USCIS immigration data release, there are about 11,158 pending Adjustment of Status cases for India EB1 filed until Dec 2022. This figure excludes applicants waiting under NVC processing or those porting from EB2 to EB1. So realistically, we need at least this many EB1 visas to push India’s EB1 dates past December 2022. With an estimated 60K extra visas flowing into the EB category in FY 2025, EB1 India and EB1 China will be the primary beneficiaries. And if—by some chance—EB1 doesn't consume all of it, the remainder would flow into EB2. But realistically, with so many pending EB1 cases, EB2 might not see any of that spillover. If these estimates really hold, we could potentially see EB1 India move really fast in the upcoming visa bulletins. But don’t hold your breath for that. You can see where this is going. Even with extra spillover, it’s possible EB1 alone will consume the entire spillover before anything reaches EB2. And EB3? Not even in the picture. FB to EB Spillover History Recap Let’s take a step back and look at how FB to EB spillover has worked in recent years: 2022: ~281,000 total EB visas (due to massive FB spillover from pandemic closures) 2023: ~197,000 2024: ~161,000 2025: ~200,000? (Estimated — based on ~60K unused FB visas, which seems high, but that's what numbers tell) The pandemic years were an outlier, leading to record-breaking spillovers into the EB system. While things are now settling closer to normal levels, even a spillover of 60,000+ visas can make a real difference—especially if you’ve been stuck in the backlog for years. When is FB to EB Spillover Typically Announced? Historically, the final EB visa numbers are released shortly after the fiscal year ends (September 30), and we usually see detailed announcements by January or February of the following year. While USCIS hasn’t published the exact spillover count for FY2025 yet, they did confirm back in January that the employment-based visa limit would be higher than the pre-pandemic norm—they just didn’t give a specific number. So, while there’s no official confirmation yet, all signs point to a total EB cap of around 200,000 for FY2025, based on current estimates. That’s the number we’re betting on. Final Thoughts The 2025 spillover from FB to EB is shaping up to be a rare and valuable window for Indian and Chinese green card applicants—especially in the EB1 category. But the demand is so high, even this 60,000 boost may barely scratch the surface. Still, any forward movement is welcome in a system where some applicants wait 10, 15, or even 20 years. Let’s hope the official numbers arrive soon—and bring some long-overdue relief. Next: Priority Date Calculator Related Posts ✔ Check USCIS processing time ✔ My DV lottery journey Related Topics

The October 2025 USCIS I-485 pending inventory for EB-1 India was published on Nov 12, 2025, offering a clear picture of the current wait times. Last year, the Date of Filing (DOF) for EB-1 India advanced significantly—almost a full year jump—leading many to expect faster approvals. However, there’s an important detail to remember: You cannot receive your green card until your Final Action Date (FAD) becomes current. For EB-1 India, the FAD is still progressing slowly. What really determines the movement? It’s all about how many people are ahead of you in the EB-1 India queue. Number of People Waiting in EB-1 India (Pending I-485 by Month) This dataset includes only those who have already filed I-485 applications. It does not account for individuals with approved I-140s who haven’t filed yet, so the actual demand is even higher. Here are the official counts of EB-1 India applicants (year 2022) waiting for a green card as of October 2, 2025 data: Year 2022 Pending EB-1 India I-485 March 332 April 986 May 736 June 870 July 759 August 818 September 981 October 1,046 November 1,071 December 2,297 From April to December, year 2022, each month has between 700 and 2,300 people waiting. This long queue is the main reason for the slow movement of the Final Action Date. What Does This Mean for Final Action Date Movement? USCIS and DOS can only advance the Final Action Date if there are enough unused visa numbers. Let’s estimate annual visa availability and its impact on EB-1 India. EB-1 India Annual Green Card Quota (Approximate) In a typical year: Total EB-1 quota: 40,040 visas India’s maximum share: 7% (unless there are spillovers) Approximate visas for EB-1 India: ~2,800 For FY2025, early indications suggest India may receive around 3,000 visas (a typical year with minor spillovers). How Many EB-1 India Applicants Have Already Received Green Cards? With the Final Action Date moved to March, the following have likely been cleared: March pending: 332 Some approved Consular Processing cases Duplicates that drop out Some movement within January and February filers A safe estimate is that about 1,000 EB-1 India approvals have already been issued this fiscal year. If the quota is around 3,000, that leaves roughly 2,000 visas remaining for EB-1 India this fiscal year. This is the key number for predicting future Final Action Date movement. How Far Can the Final Action Date Move? Let’s total the number of people waiting after March: Year 2022 People Cumulative April 986 986 May 736 1,722 June 870 2,592 July 759 3,351 August 818 4,169 September 981 5,150 October 1,046 6,196 November 1,071 7,267 December 2,297 9,564 With about 2,000 visas left, movement will likely stop somewhere in April or May (since April and May together total 1,722 applicants). June alone has 870, which is too many to clear. Predicted Final Action Date Movement for EB-1 India: Low estimate: Up to April 2022 Moderate estimate: Up to May 2022 High (optimistic): Slight movement into June 2022, but this is unlikely Any movement beyond this would require additional spillover visas, which are not expected early in FY2025.

If you’re planning to file any immigration paperwork soon, you need to read this — USCIS announced another round of fee increases this week. Don’t panic — these are not the massive hikes we saw in 2024. These are smaller, automatic inflation adjustments tied to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1) passed earlier in 2025. H.R. is a standard abbreviation that stands for House of Representatives. H.R. 1 is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (also called the "Big Beautiful Bill" or OBBBA), a massive reconciliation package signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025. It includes tax cuts (e.g., extending 2017 rates, new deductions for overtime pay up to $12,500 and tips), spending reforms, defense boosts, and immigration-related provisions—like mandating annual inflation adjustments to certain USCIS fees under the " One Big Beautiful Bill Act " (H.R. 1) to fund operations without full taxpayer reliance. Here's all the information you need, complete with official links and tables for easy comprehension. When Do the New Fees Start? The fees announced in this notice are effective on or after January 1, 2026. Any immigration benefit request postmarked on or after January 1, 2026 without the proper filing fee will be rejected. → Any application postmarked or submitted online on or after January 1, 2026 will pay the higher amount. → File before midnight December 31, 2025 → you lock in the current (lower) fees. Official USCIS Sources USCIS Official Alert (Nov 19, 2025) Full Federal Register Notice (Nov 21, 2025) USCIS Fee Calculator (always up-to-date for every form, check new fees after Jan 1, 2026) Fees That Are Increasing (Effective Jan. 1, 2026) These are the H.R. 1 fees getting a bump due to inflation. Note: The Annual Asylum Application Fee is currently stayed by court order, so you might not pay it right now—but if the stay lifts, it'll jump to $102. Form Type Previous Fee New Fee Increase Annual Asylum Application Fee (currently stayed via court order) $100 $102 +$2 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - Initial Asylum Applicant Employment Authorization Document (EAD) $550 $560 +$10 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - Initial Parole EAD $550 $560 +$10 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - Renewal or Extension of Parole EAD $275 $280 +$5 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - Initial Temporary Protected Status (TPS) EAD $550 $560 +$10 Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization - Renewal or Extension of TPS EAD $275 $280 +$5 Form I-131, Part 9 - EAD requested upon authorization of a new period of Parole (Re-parole) $275 $280 +$5 Form I-821, Application for TPS $500 $510 +$10 Fees That Are NOT Increasing (For Now) These stay frozen at current levels. Heads up: DHS plans a separate Federal Register notice soon for the immigration parole fee adjustment—stay tuned. Form Type Previous Fee New Fee Change I-589 Asylum Fee (Initial fee for aliens filing an application for asylum) $100 $100 $0 I-765 Renewal or Extension of Asylum Applicant EAD $275 $275 $0 I-360 Special Immigrant Juvenile Fee $250 $250 $0 What Did NOT Increase This Time? H-1B petition (I-129) → still $780 H-1B registration fee → still $215 I-485 Adjustment of Status → still $1,440 N-400 Naturalization → still $710 online/ $760paper Premium Processing (15-day) → still $2,805 The controversial $100,000 “Presidential H-1B fee” → unchanged These increases are small (2.7% average, based on CPI-U inflation from July 2024–July 2025), but every dollar counts when you’re already paying thousands in legal and filing fees. Save the official USCIS Fee Calculator link here (note that it may not display updated fees until they are effective): https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-fees Have a specific form you’re worried about? Drop it in the comments and I’ll tell you the exact current vs. future fee.

Waiting for your Employment Authorization Document (EAD) can be stressful — especially when processing times vary between applicants and centers. To make things easier, this page compiles real I-765 approval timelines along with the latest official USCIS data from the Service Center Operations Directorate (SCOPS) and the National Benefits Center (NBC). By combining real-world case durations with USCIS-published benchmarks, you can better estimate when your own application might be approved. Real-World Approved I-765 Cases These are recently approved I-765 applications submitted by users who have shared their actual case timelines. They represent the most realistic picture of current processing durations — often more reflective of on-ground trends than published averages. After reviewing these numbers, you may notice that some service centers complete cases faster for specific categories, while others show slight delays. These differences can stem from workload distribution, staffing, or case-type prioritization. If you have recently submitted Form I-765, you can use the processing time app to find more detailed information about when your case might be approved or when other cases are being approved. SCOPS Processing Times The Service Center Operations Directorate (SCOPS) manages the major USCIS service centers across the United States — including those responsible for adjudicating employment authorization requests like Form I-765. SCOPS regularly publishes official data showing how long it takes to process different case types, expressed as the time it takes to complete 80 % and 100 % of applications. This information helps applicants gauge where their case stands within the national averages. While these numbers come directly from USCIS, remember they are benchmarks rather than exact forecasts. Individual cases can still move faster or slower depending on background checks, workload, or whether a Request for Evidence (RFE) is issued. Comparing these results with the real-case data above gives a balanced view of what applicants are experiencing versus official expectations. NBC (National Benefits Center) Processing Times The National Benefits Center (NBC) handles a significant portion of I-765 applications — especially those linked to adjustment-of-status (AOS) and family-based immigration categories. Next: How to expedite EAD? Related Posts ✔ Contacting congressman for expedited request ✔  Current green card priority date for India ✔  How to apply for H4 EAD? ✔  H4 and EAD concurrent filing Related Topics

Steps to apply for a B1/B2 visitor visa for parents (India) while on a J1, L1, F1, H1 visa, or green card with a documents checklist, and an end-to-end US visitor visa application process. When I applied for my parents' US visitor visa for the first time, I was on a J1 visa. I went through the US visa application process and successfully obtained their US visitor visa. After that, I helped my family and relatives apply for a US visitor visa. In these cases, the sponsoring party held either an F1 visa, an L1 visa, an H1 visa, or a green card. My experience has given me valuable knowledge about the entire process of obtaining a US visitor visa, from beginning to end. I am eager to share the step-by-step process for applying for a US visitor visa for parents. If you haven't read my previous post on B1/B2 visitor visas, you can begin here to catch up. Once your parents get a B1/B2 visitor visa they can typically stay in the USA for up to 6 months (in most cases) in a single stretch. I have explained the B2 visa length of stay in detail earlier, and I have provided the link if you want to read about it. Usually, a US visitor visa is granted for 10 years, but in some cases, it may be issued for a shorter duration like 1 year; this varies on a case-by-case basis. So, don't assume a US visitor visa is always approved, I have seen multiple cases of B1/B2 visa rejections. Roughly 3-5% of B1/B2 tourist visas from India are rejected. Table of Contents: B2 visa documents checklist for parents Fill DS-160 form online Schedule a US visa appointment (India) US visa fee payment B1/B2 visa appointment On the day of the US visa appointment B2 visa documents checklist B1/B2 visa status check Fill DS-160 Form Online The first step is to fill out the DS-160 form online. Click on this link , which will take you to the USCIS website. Select your country, enter the code (captcha), and start your DS-160 application process. When you start your DS-160 application, an application ID will be generated for your case. You will be asked to fill out all the information. The entire DS-160 application process typically takes around 1-2 hours if you have all the required details at hand. You should save your DS-160 application at each step and retrieve your application later by using your application number. Keep saving your progress otherwise your information will be lost and you might have to rework. The details you would need to fill out in the applications are name, address, passport details, travel details, contact information, family information, work, education details, etc. At the end of the DS-160 form, if you are filling out this form for your parents then you can add your information in the preparer section. If your parents have filled out the form themselves, then they should add their details. Once the DS-160 form is completed, you can submit it. No changes can be made after submission so make sure all the information is correct. You would need to fill out separate DS-160 forms if you are planning to apply for both parents' visas (mother & father). DS-160 Confirmation Page After submission, the DS-160 confirmation page will be generated, please save this PDF since you need it for the interview later. While it's possible to print or save the entire application form for future reference, keep in mind that you only need the DS-160 confirmation page for the interview (and not the whole application). The confirmation form will have a barcode and your DS-160 application number. This page is important and you need to take this confirmation page to the visa office. I have provided a sample above for your reference. Schedule a US Visa Appointment (India) Next step, You need to schedule an appointment for the US visa interview and biometrics here . Choose the alphabet with which your country starts. In my case it was India, you can click the link here for India. Choose a non-immigrant visa and then click on login, at the end, you will be taken here . You need to register here and a login will be created. Once you log in you can choose the place where you would like the interview to happen. If you are applying from India, the appointment will be available in New Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata. You can choose the location that is convenient for your parents. Current B1/B2 visa appointment wait times for these locations are shown below. You can also choose the language in which you need the interview. For example, if your parents are not comfortable in English you can choose Hindi or any other language as well. US Visa Fee Payment After that, you can fill out the other information and at the end, it will ask you to pay the MRV fee for booking the appointment, which is $185 (per person), as of Jun 2024. You will be paying in Indian rupees. There will be several ways to make the payment like NEFT, UPI, debit/credit card, or cash over the counter at these locations . I always use the NEFT method where you have to transfer the MRV fee to the account number provided. However, please note that fees might change in the future. Feel free to comment with the current MRV fee you have paid recently, and help other readers. Typically, I add my mother's name in the same login that I created for my father so I had to pay a total fee for 2 people. So, you do not need two accounts to make the payment, you can add your parents as a family in the same account and book visa interview appointments. B1/B2 Visa Appointment Once you make the payment a receipt number will be generated. Using that receipt number you can move forward to make a B1/B2 visa appointment for biometrics and interviews by logging back in here . You need to make two appointments which will happen on different days at different locations. Once you log in, it will ask you to make an appointment. The first appointment will be given for Biometrics and the second date will be booked for the interview. Related: Why does a B1/B2 visa get denied? The first appointment to give biometrics is usually at the Visa Application Center (VAC) or Offsite Facility Center (OFC). Second appointment for the visa interview at the US consulate. Usually, a VAC appointment should be done a few days before the interview date. Tip: You can reschedule the appointment up to four times; after that, rescheduling will not be available for you. On the Day of the US Visa Appointment Go to the VAC appointment where biometrics and pictures will be taken for you. Then attend the visa interview, where you will be interviewed by a US consular officer. They can ask you anything related to your application, your job, your plan of traveling, and the details of your child/relative living in the US who is sponsoring your trip, etc. I explained all the B1/B2 visa interview questions in the previous blog. You should go through it once. At both places make sure to take all the supporting documents applicable to your case since they can ask you for this. At the end of the interview, they will keep your original passport to issue the visa. B2 Visa Documents Checklist for Parents List of supporting documents of sponsor like J1, L1, F1 or H1B visa holders for B2 visa application The last 3 months of pay stubs Bank statement for proof of funds Employment verification letter Copy of passport and visa pages Copy of latest I-94 I-129S approved letter (for L1) or DS2019 (for J1) or I-797A (for H1B) or Copy of green card Invitation letter Sponsorship letter B2 visa documents I asked my parents to bring in Original passport Employment letter (In case parents are working) Bank statement with sufficient balance (parent’s) Aadhar card (I have asked my parents to take all the useful IDs they can bring in) DS-160 confirmation page Appointment confirmation page B1/B2 Visa Status Check You can check the status of your US visitor visa here . Hopefully, you find this blog helpful. Please drop me a line in the comments section below if you have any queries. I have added a few more topics below which will help you. B1 B2 Visa Interview Questions for Parents B2 visa interview questions for parents visiting the US. Consulate officers might ask you questions about five main topics. These questions will be about the same thing but phrased differently to understand your reason for traveling. These five topics are: Travel Purpose: Why are you traveling to the US? Who do you plan to visit, and what activities do you intend to do during your stay? For instance, if your trip is for tourism, you can mention the places you'd like to visit. Duration of Stay: How long do you intend to stay in the US? You can simply explain that you plan to spend time with your family in the US and then return. Accommodation: Where will you be staying during your visit to the US? Simply tell me you will be staying with your son or daughter in so and so city. If you can remember their city or complete address, it's good. Financial Situation: Who is funding your trip, and do you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses? Can you provide evidence of your financial stability? Are you currently employed? These questions help them ensure that you have the financial stability to visit the US. Travel History: Have you previously visited the US or any other countries? Do you have a history of international travel? Make sure to give truthful answers to these questions. If you can't remember something, it's okay to tell the officer you don't know. For instance, if you can't remember where your son works or his complete address, it's alright to say so. You can read about the B1/B2 visa interview questions in detail in the link provided above. But it's a good idea to have this information with you if you can. Having a copy of the invitation letter can also be helpful in these situations because the invitation letter will contain this type of information, which you can then show to the officer. I have provided the link below if you have missed it. FAQs on US Visa for Parents from India Can I fill out DS 160 for my parents? Yes, you can fill out DS 160 for your parents. I have done it several times and obtained their US visitor visa successfully. How to apply B1/B2 tourist visa for parents? To apply for a B1/B2 visa for your parents (visitor visas for business and tourism), you'll need to follow these 8 steps: Complete the DS-160 form online Pay the visa fee Schedule the visa appointment Gather the required documents Go through biometrics Attend visa interview Wait for visa approval Travel to the U.S. Should I buy health insurance for my parents before their US visit? Buying health insurance is not mandatory for US visits, but I always purchase it when my parents visit because medical expenses in the US are very high. If your parents have some health issues, it's worth considering. I usually purchase health insurance from VisitorsCoverage , as it offers good coverage and peace of mind during my parent's stay. What can I not do on a B1/B2 visa? You won't have the ability to work, pursue studies, establish permanent residency, acquire a driver's license, or enroll a child in school. How to retrieve the DS-160 form after submission? Visit the CEAC website Choose your location and enter the captcha Select "Retrieve an Application" Enter your DS-160 confirmation number Complete the security questions Retrieve your application Should I select B1/B2 or B2 for parents? Choose the B1/B2 visa, even if you're going for business or tourism. Typically B1/B2 visa is issued for 10 years, so you can use it whenever you need to visit the US for either reason. In addition, selecting B1/B2 can save you from extra questions at the entry point. Sometimes, even if you pick B1 or B2, the consulate might give you a B1/B2 visa. Can I sponsor my parents to visit the USA? You can sponsor parents to visit the USA on a B2 visa. However, sponsorship is not a mandatory criterion to apply for a US tourist visa. How can I bring my parents from India to the USA? You can bring your parents from India to the USA in the following ways: They can come on a US tourist visa, usually allowing a 6-month stay in one go. If you want them to permanently live in the USA, you must apply for their green card. To do this, you need to be a U.S. citizen and at least 21 years old. Read more . How to apply for a B2 visa for parents of green card holders? To apply for the B2 visa for the parents of a green card holder, the process is pretty much the same: Complete the DS-160 form Pay the B2 visa application fee Schedule the visa interview Prepare required documents Attend the visa interview Visa issuance and travel Next: B1/B2 Interview Questions Related Posts ✔ Giving birth on a B1/B1 tourist visa ✔ Knowing about US culture before you visit ✔ B1/B2 visa extension after 6 months ✔ How to renew an Indian passport for parents Related Topics