POLICY & ANALYSIS

Policy updates

Follow U.S. immigration policy, filing changes and official announcements.

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Citizenship & naturalization

Agency Information Collection Activities; Extension, Without Change, of a Currently Approved Collection: Application for Free Training for Civics and Citizenship Teachers of Adults; Civics and Citizenship Toolkit

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will be submitting the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance ( printed page 68966) with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The purpose of this notice is to allow an additional 30 days for public comments.

Official announcement
Green cards & adjustment

2026-11 Visa Bulletin: Charts A, B and USCIS filing charts

2026-11 Visa Bulletin: China-mainland born final action dates (A) and dates for filing (B), compared with the same category and chart in the prior month. Other chargeability areas are available in the data tool.

Visa bulletin
Employment & work visas

Fee Guidance for L-1 Intracompany Transferees

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is revising guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding filing fees for L-1 petitions and the regulatory changes made by the 9-11 Response and Biometric Entry-Exit Fee for H-1B and L-1 Visas final rule (9-11 Biometric Fee final rule).

Policy update
Fees, forms & filing

Litigation-Related Update: Sileiri Doe Class Members May Request Reopening or Reconsideration of an Adverse Decision Without a Fee

On Sept. 28, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued an order requiring DHS to remediate certain adverse consequences for the class of aliens paroled into the United States after scheduling an appointment through the CBP One mobile app, and whose parole was terminated by the federal government via mass email in April 2025. Sileiri Doe v. DHS, 1:25-cv-12245-ADB (D. Mass).

Policy update
Fees, forms & filing

Definition of Day for Purposes of Filing Deadlines

This technical update incorporates into Volume 1 the policy guidance that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on September 23, 2026 clarifying how USCIS applies the regulatory definition of “day” to filing deadlines. This policy became effective October 23, 2026.

Policy update
Humanitarian programs

USCIS Opens Asylum Office in Charlotte

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is opening an asylum office in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Policy update
Fees, forms & filing

DHS Publishes Proposed Rule Establishing Fees for Optional Practical Training

On Oct. 8, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking in the Federal Register proposing new fees for F students seeking to engage in optional practical training (OPT). Under the proposed rule, the new fees will consist of a $70,000 charge per F student for initial OPT and $30,000 charge per F student for the second year of practical training, with no additional fees in subsequent years.

Official announcement
Work authorization & students

Employment Authorization-Related Technical Changes

This technical update to Volume 10, Part A, Employment Authorization Policies and Procedures updates language regarding automatic extension of employment authorization documents (EADs), incorporates the (c)(40) EAD category in the EAD validity table, and makes other technical changes to conform with recent regulatory and statutory updates.

Policy update
Fees, forms & filing

Fiscal Year 2027 Inflation Adjustment to H.R. 1 Immigration Fees

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a component of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is announcing inflationary adjustments to immigration-related fees administered by USCIS under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2027. H.R. 1 mandates that USCIS adjust the H.R. 1 fees annually. This notice outlines the adjusted fees and their effective date.

Official announcement
Fees, forms & filing

Certain DHS Immigration-Related Fees Required by HR-1: Fiscal Year 2027 Adjustments for Inflation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 inflation adjustments to certain immigration-related fees required by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1). HR-1 requires that DHS annually adjust certain immigration-related fees for inflation. This notice sets the inflation-adjusted FY 2027 fee amounts for the following immigration fees required by HR-1: the fee for parole of an alien into the United States, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) fees, and the fee for enrollment in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS). In accordance with the inflation adjustment rounding requirement in HR-1, the existing fee for Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record applications will not change for FY 2027.

Official announcement
Fees, forms & filing

Certain DHS Immigration-Related Fees Required by HR-1: Fiscal Year 2027 Adjustments for Inflation

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is announcing Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 inflationary adjustments for two of the immigration enforcement-related fees established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (HR-1). HR-1 requires that DHS annually adjust certain immigration enforcement-related fees for inflation. The adjusted fee amounts for FY 2027 for aliens ordered removed in absentia who are subsequently arrested and inadmissible aliens apprehended between ports of entry are $5,300. On October 16, 2026, DHS will begin assessing and collecting these new amounts.

Official announcement

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