USCIS Explains How the New Wage-Weighted H-1B Lottery Will Work for the March 2026 Cap Season
U.S. Embassy in Abuja Shuts Routine Visa Services Until 9 March Amid Protest Risk
Jerusalem & Tel Aviv Visa Interviews Postponed as U.S. Consulates Operate in Crisis-Only Mode
Latest News
Spring-Break Alert: Drexel University Tells F-1 Students to Brace for Sudden U.S. Re-Entry Rule Changes
Drexel University’s international-student office issued a March 6 advisory urging F-1 and J-1 students to reconsider spring-break trips abroad, warning that fast-moving visa or travel bans could block their return. The notice highlights the knock-on risk for employers counting on OPT hires this summer and underscores the need for updated travel protocols.
Florida Flight School Opens Direct Pilot Pathway for Saudi Students, Offering I-20 Issuance and Visa Support
Florida Flyers and Universal Caravan Aviation launched a pilot-training pipeline for Saudi students, with the U.S. school issuing I-20s and providing full visa-application support. The venture responds to Saudi Arabia’s huge pilot shortage and signals sustained demand for U.S. vocational-student visas.
First H-1B Lottery Under Trump’s $100,000 Filing Fee Begins, Sending Shockwaves Through U.S. Talent Strategy
USCIS opened FY 2027 H-1B registration on 4 March with a new $100,000 fee per approved petition and a wage-weighted selection system. Big employers are budgeting for the hit, while staffing firms and startups are retreating, raising alarms about U.S. competitiveness. Litigation and legislation are pending but will not help companies facing the 19 March cut-off.
USCIS Issues March 5 RFI for Mobile ‘Digital Green Card’ and EAD, Signaling Paperless Future for Immigration Documents
USCIS released an RFI on 5 March 2026 seeking industry proposals for smartphone-based green cards and EADs that meet DHS security and privacy standards. The move could allow faster onboarding of foreign talent and reduce travel disruptions caused by lost or delayed plastic cards, signaling a major digital shift in U.S. immigration compliance.
U.S. Embassy in Abuja Shuts Doors and Reschedules March 4–5 Visa & ACS Appointments Amid Protest Threats
Citing possible city-wide protests, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja closed routine services and postponed all March 4–5 visa and ACS appointments until the following week. The disruption, coming amid broader regional security concerns, adds weeks to already lengthy scheduling queues and forces employers to reroute or delay assignments involving Nigeria.
State Department Issues Level-2 Travel Advisory for Angola, Citing Crime, Health Risks and Unrest
The State Department updated Angola’s advisory on 5 March, retaining Level 2 status but adding stark language on violent crime in Luanda, weak healthcare and unexploded ordnance. U.S. firms with projects in Angola—especially in energy—should reassess travel approvals, medical-evac coverage and local security contracts.