Policy News
Filtered view of USCIS and immigration news tagged Policy. These items stay focused on what changes for people actively filing, waiting, or planning around a case.
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- CasePredictor EditorialFeesPolicyForm update
Court vacates the $100,000 H-1B fee — but a stay keeps it in effect pending appeal
On June 8, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts vacated the $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions as unlawful. Days later the court stayed its own ruling, and the government appealed to the First Circuit. As of early July 2026 the fee still applies to initial H-1B petitions that require consular processing — the outcome now turns on the appeal.
Read summary & sources ->4 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialVisa BulletinPolicy
July 2026 Visa Bulletin: USCIS keeps Final Action Dates for EB filings; EB-2 and EB-5 India go unavailable for the rest of FY2026
The State Department published the July 2026 Visa Bulletin on June 2, and USCIS is again requiring the Final Action Dates chart for all employment-based adjustment-of-status filings — the third month in a row. EB-2 India and EB-5 (Unreserved) India are now Unavailable for the remainder of FY2026 after India reached its pro-rated limits. EB-1 India retrogresses about two months while EB-1 China and EB-3 China advance.
Read summary & sources ->4 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialPolicyForm update
USCIS reframes adjustment of status as discretionary "administrative grace" (Policy Memo PM-602-0199)
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 instructing officers to treat adjustment of status under INA §245 as a discretionary act of administrative grace rather than an entitlement. Meeting the statutory eligibility criteria is no longer treated as sufficient on its own — adjudicators must weigh discretionary factors and can deny an otherwise-eligible application.
Read summary & sources ->4 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialVisa BulletinPolicy
June 2026 Visa Bulletin: USCIS uses Final Action Dates chart for all employment-based filings
USCIS will require employment-based adjustment-of-status filers to use the Final Action Dates chart in June 2026. EB-2 India retrogresses by more than 10 months and EB-1 India retrogresses by about 3.5 months; EB-3 China and EB-3 India advance modestly.
Read summary & sources ->4 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updatePolicy
EAD auto-extension ended October 30, 2025 — file I-765 renewals at least 180 days before expiration
USCIS ended the temporary 540-day automatic extension of expiring Employment Authorization Documents on October 30, 2025. With I-765 processing currently 3–12 months, USCIS guidance is to file renewals at least 180 days before the EAD expiration date.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updatePolicy
I-485 filings must include the medical exam (Form I-693) up front; June 2025 update tied each I-693 to a specific application
Since December 2, 2024, most adjustment-of-status applicants must include a completed Form I-693 (medical exam) with their initial I-485 submission. A June 11, 2025 USCIS policy update further tied each I-693 to the specific application it was filed with — submissions for prior or future I-485s are no longer reusable.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updatePolicy
USCIS waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for adjustment-of-status applicants
Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all adjustment-of-status applicants. Civil surgeons no longer need to document COVID-19 vaccination status on Form I-693, and USCIS will not issue an RFE or NOID based on missing COVID-19 vaccination documentation.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official)
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