Immigration news and rule changes for United States.https://studyimmigration.com/https://studyimmigration.com/news/opt-fee-proposal-70000-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/opt-fee-proposal-70000-2026/A DHS proposed rule would make schools pay $70,000 for a student's first OPT and $30,000 for each later OPT, including STEM OPT. Comments close November 9, 2026. Who it affects: F-1 students planning to work on OPT or STEM OPT, and the US colleges and universities that recommend them.Thu, 08 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Statesstudyproposedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/visa-bulletin-october-2026-eb-retrogression/https://studyimmigration.com/news/visa-bulletin-october-2026-eb-retrogression/The FY2027 opening Visa Bulletin moves worldwide EB-2 back to January 1, 2025 and EB-3 to May 15, 2024. USCIS accepts I-485s under Dates for Filing. Who it affects: Family and employment-based green card applicants waiting on a priority date, especially worldwide EB-2 and EB-3 applicants.Thu, 01 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Statespermanent-residencein-effecthttps://studyimmigration.com/news/h1b-100000-fee-blocked-court-september-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/h1b-100000-fee-blocked-court-september-2026/A federal court in California vacated the $100,000 H-1B payment policies on September 30, 2026, including the extension to September 2027. The fee is not collected. Who it affects: Employers filing new H-1B petitions and workers abroad being sponsored for H-1B status.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Stateswork-visasblockedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/uscis-hr1-fee-increase-october-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/uscis-hr1-fee-increase-october-2026/DHS raises H.R. 1 fees for FY2027: asylum fee $105, parole fee $1,050, initial EAD fee $570, TPS fee $520 and ESTA $40.62, all from October 16, 2026. Who it affects: Asylum seekers, parolees, TPS applicants, people filing initial asylum, parole or TPS work permits, and Visa Waiver Program and EVUS travelers.Wed, 30 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Statespolicy-updatesannouncedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/eb5-fee-increase-november-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/eb5-fee-increase-november-2026/A final rule sets new EB-5 fees from November 30, 2026: I-526E $7,850, I-526 $7,615, I-829 $5,000, and a $1,100 Integrity Fund fee per regional center investor. Who it affects: EB-5 investors, their families, regional centers and new commercial enterprises filing EB-5 forms on or after November 30, 2026.Tue, 29 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Statespermanent-residenceannouncedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/public-charge-rule-in-effect-september-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/public-charge-rule-in-effect-september-2026/DHS rescinded the 2022 public charge rule. From September 18, 2026, officers weigh all facts with broader discretion, and any means-tested benefit use may count. Who it affects: Green card applicants inside the US and people seeking admission, especially family-sponsored immigrants and anyone who has used public benefits.Fri, 18 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Statespermanent-residencein-effecthttps://studyimmigration.com/news/nonimmigrant-60-day-grace-period-proposal-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/nonimmigrant-60-day-grace-period-proposal-2026/A DHS proposed rule would remove the up-to-60-day grace period after a job ends for H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E and H-1B1 workers. Comments close November 10, 2026. Who it affects: Workers in E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-1B1, L-1, O-1 and TN status, and their dependents, if their job ends before their stay expires.Fri, 11 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Stateswork-visasproposedhttps://studyimmigration.com/news/h1b-103265-fee-proposal-2026/https://studyimmigration.com/news/h1b-103265-fee-proposal-2026/A DHS proposed rule would add a $103,265 fee to every H-1B cap-subject petition, including master's cap cases. Cap-exempt employers would not pay it. Who it affects: Employers filing H-1B cap-subject petitions and foreign workers, including F-1 graduates, hoping to enter the H-1B lottery.Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMTUnited Stateswork-visasproposed