EB-2 NIW for renewable energy and sustainability professionals: How to build a strong case in 2026
EB-2 National Interest Waiver cases are often prepared by professionals in the renewable energy and sustainability fields. USCIS will not approve a petition for an employee who just works in solar energy, battery storage, climate science, water management, environmental engineering, or other critical fields. The petition must clearly specify the applicant’s proposed activity, what it […]
DHS rescinds the 2022 public charge rule: What green card applicants need to know before September 18, 2026
Important update: On July 16, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule rescinding the public charge regulations that have governed adjustment of status cases since late 2022. The rule is scheduled for publication in the Federal Register on July 20, 2026, and takes effect on September 18, 2026. To be clear at […]
DHS final rule ends “duration of status” for F-1, J-1, and I nonimmigrants: What changes on September 15, 2026
On July 17, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule that replaces “duration of status,” commonly shown as D/S on Form I-94, with date-specific periods of admission for F academic students, J exchange visitors, and I representatives of foreign information media. The rule is published at 91 Fed. Reg. 44,976 (July 17, 2026) and is […]
Estate planning in India for NRIs: Wills, inheritance, property, tax, and repatriation 2026 guide
For NRIs, there are additional challenges in figuring out what will happen with their belongings after their death. The main objective is to ensure that everything they have in India reaches the right people, is handled and sold or sent back home without unnecessary fights or long delays, and does not violate any rules. The […]
K-1 fiancé(e) visa or CR-1/IR-1 spouse visa in 2026? Choosing the right path for your family
When two people in an international relationship decide to build their life together in the United States, one of the first and most important immigration decisions is how the foreign partner will come to the United States. For many couples, the decision comes down to two common options: the K-1 fiancé(e) visa or the CR-1/IR-1 […]
EB-1A or EB-2 NIW in 2026? Choosing the right self-petition green card strategy
The EB-1A extraordinary ability category and the EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) remain the two leading self-petition green card options in 2026. Both let a qualified foreign national file an immigrant petition without an employer sponsor and without PERM labor certification, but they rest on different legal standards and carry very different Visa Bulletin consequences. […]
O-1A visas for founders: Legal standards, petition structure, and USCIS guidance
The O-1A classification is a powerful nonimmigrant option for founders who can demonstrate extraordinary ability in business, science, education, or athletics. Unlike investment-based immigration categories, the O-1A is not driven by capital contribution or ownership percentage alone. Instead, it turns on whether the beneficiary has sustained national or international acclaim and is coming to the United States to continue […]
H-1B fee update 2026: Federal court blocks the $100,000 charge
I’ve been practicing immigration law for over a decade, and I can count on one hand the number of policy changes that hit employer immigration programs as hard as the $100,000 H-1B fee did when it landed last September. My phone didn’t stop ringing for weeks. Companies that had budgets locked in for the year […]
Understanding the J-1 visa and Conrad 30 waiver: A physician’s comprehensive guide
After nearly two decades in immigration practice, I can tell you that the J-1 visa causes more confusion — and more expensive mistakes — than almost any other nonimmigrant category. For foreign physicians especially, misunderstanding the two-year home residency requirement or mishandling a Conrad 30 waiver application can derail careers and uproot families. This guide […]