Career & Visa News
News and Openbound analysis on hiring, sponsorship and policy for international talent in the U.S.
62 news stories. Page 3 of 6.
Proposed $70,000 OPT Fee: A Regulatory Change That Could Effectively Shut Down OPT for Many Students
The Department of Homeland Security is scheduled to publish a major proposed change to Optional Practical Training in the Federal Register tomorrow, October 8, 2026, U.S. time. The proposal would fundamentally change how F-1 students obtain OPT. Under the current system, an eligi
News · Source: Reddy Neumann Brown · Openbound updated
CSPA Protection for Employment-Based Derivative Children with Pending Adjustment Applications
A derivative child in an employment-based immigration case does not necessarily lose eligibility for a green card upon reaching the biological age of 21. The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) provides a special age calculation that may preserve the person’s classification as a “
News · Source: Murthy Law Firm · Openbound updated
During my one year of employment abroad, I made several short business trips to the United States. Do the trips prevent me from qualifying for L-1 based on the L-1 one-year requirement?
Answer Brief trips to the United States generally do not interrupt the continuity of qualifying employment abroad. However, days spent physically in the United States normally do not count toward the required one year. The employer should document the employment period with the q
News · Source: Murthy Law Firm · Openbound updated
Requirement to Prove Ability to Pay in an I-140 Petition
In the typical employment-based permanent residence (commonly, “green card”) case, the second stage of the three-stage process is the employer’s Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, filed on the I-140 form. One of the essential aspects of the I-140 is the requirement that the spo
News · Source: Murthy Law Firm · Openbound updated
Matter of Ho Revisited: Protecting Adjustment Applicants in Removal Proceedings When Visa Numbers Are Unavailable
By Cyrus Mehta and Damira Zhanatova* The October 2026 Visa Bulletin created an unusual opening for some EB-4 applicants, including Special Immigrant Juveniles (SIJs), whose dates for filing have advanced to January 1, 2025. As a result, these individuals may be eligible to file F
News · Source: Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners · Openbound updated
DHS Proposes $70,000 Fee for F-1 Student OPT Program
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a major change to the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program for F-1 international students. Under a proposed rule published on October 8, 2026, schools would be required to pay a $70,000 fee the first time an F-1 student
News · Source: Visa Lawyer Blog · Openbound updated
I am currently in F-1 status with an I-94 marked D/S. Under the new F-1 fixed-period-of-admission rule scheduled to take effect on September 15, 2026, will I automatically receive a new I-94 expiration date on that date?
Answer Generally, no. Under the new rule’s transition provisions, an F-1 student who is maintaining valid duration-of-status admission when the rule takes effect on September 15, 2026, ordinarily will not automatically receive a new date-specific I-94 on that date. However, this
News · Source: Murthy Law Firm · Openbound updated
Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application To Adjust Status From Temporary to Permanent Resident
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment upon this proposed extension. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act (PRA) of 1995, the information collection…
Official update · Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · Openbound updated
60-Day Notice of Proposed Information Collection: DS-864E, Request for Exemption From Immigrant Visa Applicant's Affidavit of Support
The Department of State is seeking Office of Management and Budget (OMB) approval for the information collection described below. In accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, we are requesting comments on this collection from all interested individuals and…
Official update · Source: State Department · Openbound updated
USCIS Status Alerts: Read the Notice
Old EAD or I-485J marked “administratively closed”? It appears USCIS may be closing out older filings in its system which is prompting an unusually high number of administrative closure notices. Read the mailed notice and check the status of any pending application.
News · Source: Murthy Law Firm · Openbound updated
H1B $100K Fee: Courts Align
A Massachusetts court vacated the fee policies in June 2026. Echoing that ruling, a California court bars enforcement under the 2025 proclamation and its 2026 extension. Neither proclamation was struck down; appeal or rulemaking remains possible.
News · Source: Murthy Law Firm · Openbound updated
Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application To Replace Permanent Resident Card
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) invites the general public and other Federal agencies to comment upon this proposed extension of a currently approved collection of information. In accordance with the Paperwork…
Official update · Source: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · Openbound updated