Does the U.S. State Department Still Process Visas During a Shutdown?
On Oct 1, 2025, the State Department said visa processing generally continues during the shutdown because fees fund…
Can I File Form I-589 During Government Shutdown? USCIS Offices Open
USCIS remains open during the October 1, 2025 shutdown: file Form I-589, attend biometrics and interviews, and protect…
Will My I-485 Interview Be Cancelled During a Government Shutdown?
A possible October 1, 2025 government shutdown is unlikely to halt USCIS core work. Most I-485 interviews should…
Are USCIS RFEs Still Accepted During a Federal Shutdown?
Because USCIS is fee-funded, it continues to accept and review RFE responses during a government shutdown, but processing…
Are USCIS Premium Processing Services Available During Shutdown?
Despite the October 1, 2025 shutdown, USCIS continues fee-funded services and Premium Processing is available for eligible forms…
Does the National Visa Center Keep Processing During a U.S. Government Shutdown?
The National Visa Center remains open during the 2026 shutdown due to fee funding, though consular interview delays…
New $250 Visa Integrity Fee Starts Oct 1, 2025 for Non-Immigrant Visas
From October 1, 2025, most non-immigrant visa applicants from non-VWP countries must pay a $250 Visa Integrity Fee…
USCIS Recruiting Immigration Officers to Strengthen System Integrity
USCIS will hire Immigration Services Officers from Sept 29–Oct 8, 2025 to increase in-person interviews, document checks, and…
Indians Face Heightened Scrutiny as Twin Shield Signals Visa Reform
Operation Twin Shield (Sept 19–28, 2025) targeted visa fraud in the Twin Cities: 1,000+ cases reviewed, 900+ site…
Behind the Push to Exempt International Teachers from a $100K Fee
A new proclamation imposes a $100,000 fee on H-1B petitions filed or pending from Sept. 21, 2025, threatening…
US$100,000 H-1B Fee Not Applied to H-1B1 for Singaporeans
The U.S. Embassy says the US$100,000 H-1B fee does not apply to H-1B1 visas for Singapore and Chile.…
HKS Student Government Pledges International Support Amid Visa Anxiety
After a reported May 22, 2025 SEVP revocation later blocked in court, HKS—where 59% of students are international—saw…
How a U.S. Government Shutdown Affects Travel and Immigration
A U.S. government shutdown splits immigration: fee-funded USCIS tasks continue while court hearings and labor filings often freeze,…
Germany’s Opportunity Card Could Shift US Tech Dominance
Germany’s Opportunity Card (from June 1, 2024) lets skilled non-EU workers stay up to 12 months to find…