FY 2026 H-1B Cap Initial Registration Period Opens on March 7

Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that the initial registration period for the fiscal year 2026 H-1B cap will open at noon Eastern on March 7 and run through noon Eastern on March 24, 2025. During this period, prospective petitioners and representatives must use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated registration fee for each beneficiary.

Prospective H-1B cap-subject petitioners or their representatives are required to use a USCIS online account to register each beneficiary electronically for the selection process and pay the associated $215 H-1B registration fee for each registration submitted on behalf of each be

DHS Terminates the 2023 Designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status

After reviewing country conditions and consulting with the appropriate U.S. government agencies, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has determined that conditions in Venezuela no longer support the 2023 designation of Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

TPS and related benefits associated with the 2023 designation will no longer be in effect starting 60 days after publication of the Federal Register notice.

Update on Form I-134A

Due to the Jan. 20, 2025 Executive Order, Securing Our Borders, USCIS is pausing acceptance of Form I-134A, Online Request to be a Supporter and Declaration of Financial Support, until we review all categorical parole processes as required by that order.

May 2025 Visa Bulletin Analysis

For May 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-may-2025.aspx

Please see below analysis of May 2025 Visa Bulletin:

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	No Change	No Change	No Change	+3 Months 21 Days	No Change
F2A	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+17 Days
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	+6 Months
F4	+5 Months	+5 Months	No Change	No Change	+5 Months

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F2A	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days	+3 Months 17 Days
F2B	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F3	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change	No Change
F4	+2 Months	+2 Months	No Change	No Change	No Change

May 2025 Visa Bulletin

For April 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-april-2025.aspx

For analysis of May 2025 Visa Bulletin, please click here: https://www.mygcvisa.com/visa-bulletin/2025/visa-bulletin-analysis-may-2025.aspx

May 2025 Visa Bulletin has been officially released (valid from May 1 to May 31 only). Please see below for more details.

Family Based:

Final Action Dates

Dates For Filing Applications

"Final Action Date" is the date when when USCIS/DOS may render their final decision on submitted applications. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA-mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	15MAR16	15MAR16	15MAR16	22APR05	15JUL12
F2A	01JAN22	01JAN22	01JAN22	15MAY21	01JAN22
F2B	22JUL16	22JUL16	22JUL16	01JAN06	08FEB12
F3	01APR11	01APR11	01APR11	15JAN01	22SEP03
F4	01JAN08	01JAN08	15JUN06	15MAR01	01JUN05

"Date for Filing Application" is the date when you can submit I-485/NVC applications to USCIS/DOS. Your priority date should be before this date.

Family- Sponsored	All Chargeability  Areas Except Those Listed	CHINA- mainland  born	INDIA	MEXICO	PHILIPPINES
F1	01SEP17	01SEP17	01SEP17	01APR06	22APR15
F2A	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25	01FEB25
F2B	01JAN17	01JAN17	01JAN17	01APR07	01OCT13
F3	22JUL12	22JUL12	22JUL12	15JUN01	22SEP04
F4	01JUN08	01JUN08	01OCT06	30APR01	01JAN08

USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Adjustment of Status Applicants

Effective Jan. 22, 2025, USCIS is waiving any and all requirements that applicants for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident present documentation on their Form I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, that they received the COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not issue any Request for Evidence or Notice of Intent to Deny related to proving a COVID-19 vaccination. USCIS will not deny any adjustment of status application based on the applicant's failure to present documentation that they received the COVID-19 vaccination.

H-1B Final Rule, H-2 Final Rule, and Revised Form I-129 Effective Jan. 17, 2025

The Department of Homeland Security's H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule take effect on Friday, January 17, 2025, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs. USCIS will also publish a revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker (edition date 01/17/25) on Jan. 17, reflecting combined changes associat