Immigration Policy Updates & Resources

Policy Memorandum: Hold and Review of USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from Additional High-Risk Countries (January 1, 2026)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented a temporary pause on the adjudication of certain immigration benefit applications for individuals from countries designated under recent travel restrictions. Please review the NAFSA Summary for the list of countries.

Affected applications may include:

• Work authorization (Form I-765, including Optional Practical Training (OPT))
• Change of status (Form I-539)
• Adjustment of status and other immigration petitions

During this pause, applications will remain pending while USCIS conducts enhanced security screening and policy review. This may lead to significant processing delays and, in some cases, re-evaluation of previously approved benefits.

Both immigrant and nonimmigrant applications are impacted, including those commonly used by F-1 students.

Proclamation: Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United States (December 17, 2025)

The proclamation restricts entry into the United States for nationals of certain designated countries based on national security and immigration criteria.

These restrictions apply only to individuals who:

• Are citizens of a listed country,
• Are outside the United States, and
• Did not have a valid U.S. visa as of January 1, 2026.

F-1 and J-1 students and scholars may be subject to both full and partial restrictions.

Some exemptions apply (for example, lawful permanent residents and certain valid visa holders). However, affected individuals may still face significant challenges with travel and re-entry.

For a concise overview and a full list of impacted countries, please review the NAFSA summary.

Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (September 19, 2025)

The proclamation introduces a $100,000 fee for certain H-1B petitions, significantly increasing costs for employers hiring foreign nationals.

The fee generally applies to:

• New H-1B petitions requiring consular processing (typically for individuals outside the United States)

The fee is a one-time payment submitted with the petition.

Most of the following are exempt:

• Change-of-status petitions filed within the United States
• Extensions of existing H-1B status

As a result, many international students transitioning from F-1 status may not be affected.

• Final rule effective March 1, 2026, raises USCIS’s premium processing fees (January 10, 2026)
• Notice by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services: USCIS Changes Photo Policy (December 12, 2025)
• U.S. Visa News: Adjudicating Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants in Their Country of Residence (September 6, 2025)
• Reduced Visa Validity: DOS Reduces Validity of New Visas for a Number of Countries (July 15, 2025)
  • The Department of State maintains online visa reciprocity schedules for each country for which it issues visas. For additional background on visa reciprocity, see the Department of State Foreign Affairs Manual at 9 FAM 403.8. 

Last update: 4/30/2026

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