Diane Rish

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• Legal Challenge Update on the Presidential Proclamation regarding a $100,000 fee for some H-1B petitions

  The U.S. Chamber of Commerce filed an appeal against the 23 December ruling in favor of the legality of the new $100,000 H-1B fee with the DC District Court of Appeals. It…

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces new policies regarding photographs required for certain applications

  USCIS has published a policy memo regarding requirements for photographs submitted with immigration benefit applications. The memo is effective December 12, 2025, and states that USCIS will require photos taken at a…

• USCIS Payment Processing Now Restricted to Electronic or Credit Card Payments

  On Oct. 28, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will only accept electronic payments for paper-filed forms. Payments may be made either via credit card or debit card using Form G-1450, Authorization for…

• Proposed DHS Rule Expanding Required Biometrics Collection

  On November 3, 2025 the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Proposed Rule regarding the collection of biometrics.

• Revised Policy on Third Country National (TCN) Visa Applications

  The U.S. Department of State issued an update regarding visa applications in “third” countries.

• Visa interview waiver process revisions

  The Department of State issued updated nonimmigrant-visa interview waiver criteria, superseding the interview waiver update from February 18, 2025, and requiring more individuals to have in-person interviews at U.S. Consulates when processing…

• Social media vetting at the State Department

  The U.S. State Department issued an announcement regarding mandatory social media vetting for all F, M and J visa applicants – and ended the pause on visa appointments that had been in…

• USCIS Changes on Social Media Information

  USCIS proposes to collect social media information on certain immigration forms to enhance screening and vetting of applicants.

• Amended J-1 Skills List

  Amended J-1 Skills List: The Department of State updated the J-1 Skills list, removing 37 countries from the list retroactively. This means that J-1 exchange visitors from the removed countries are no…