News & Announcements

On August 3, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published a Final Rule, effective immediately, making permanent the B-1/B-2 business visitor/tourist visa bond program and increasing the bond amounts that may be collected under the program.

In follow-up to our note last week, we write to share with you now an initial summary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Final Rule on the ending of the “Duration of Status” policy. Our summary highlights the major changes that DHS will implement in September, and the transition guidance currently available for the MIT community.

On July 15, 2026, the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) announced that it will be realigning visa operations in Africa to designated regional hubs.  This results in visa services not being available at all consular posts, and provides a list of designated Nonimmigrant Visa Locations and designated Immigrant Visa Locations. 

Today, Friday, July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Final Rule indicating its intent to end the duration of status (D/S) policy for nonimmigrants in F and J status. To date, the D/S policy has allowed nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors (such as postdocs, visiting professors, and other scholars) to remain in the U.S. for the full duration of their program of study or the length of their appointment. Under the new policy, these visa types will have a fixed end date, subject to extension.

On May 22, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new policy memo indicating that USCIS will now grant ‘Adjustment of Status’ to Permanent Resident (Green Card) within the U.S. only under limited ‘extraordinary circumstances.'  Applicants who do not meet the ‘extraordinary circumstances’ will be required to depart the U.S. and apply for an immigrant visa through consular processing at a U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad.

On March 18, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published an update on their website adding to the list of countries whose nationals may be required to post a “visa bond” when applying for a tourist/visitor entry visa (B-1/B-2 for business or tourism). 
This updates our previous posting when the State Department made updates to the Tourist Visa Bond Pilot Program on January 8, 2026. 

On January 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of State published an update to the list of countries whose nationals may be required to post a “visa bond” when applying for a tourist/visitor entry visa (B-1/B-2 for business or tourism).

On January 1, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a policy memorandum relating to vetting of benefit applications* filed by, or on behalf of, foreign nationals born in or citizens of,  39 designated “high-risk” countries, effective immediately. This new policy memorandum updates and expands upon the policy memorandum issued by USCIS on December 2, 2025.

Effective January 21, 2026, the U.S. Department of State will pause issuance of immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries.* Please see the U.S. State Department website on this topic. The policy does not impact non-immigrant visas.

USCIS published a final rule in the Federal Register: 90 FR 60864 (December 29, 2025), modifying how H-1B work visa petitions will be selected for processing, as submitted by cap-subject employers. The rule will take effect February 27, 2026.

On January 9, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that Premium Processing Fees will increase, effective March 1, 2026.

On December 16, 2025, the White House released the Presidential Proclamation Restricting and Limiting The Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States.This Proclamation extends and modifies entry restrictions implemented by the June 4, 2025 Presidential Proclamation 10949, which affects nationals of 19 countries, and establishes restrictions on nationals of an additional 20 countries, as well as individuals with travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority.