USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub Goes Offline, Obscuring Transparency Ahead of FY 2027 Lottery
State Department Issues Real-Time Middle East Departure Guidance for U.S. Citizens
State Department Revives Passport Requirement for Diversity Visa Lottery Entrants
Latest News
U.S. Pre-clearance Begins at Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport, Streamlining Cross-Border Business Travel
U.S. Customs and Border Protection began full pre-clearance operations at Toronto’s Billy Bishop (YTZ) on 10 March 2026. Business travellers can now clear U.S. immigration before departure, arrive as domestic passengers, and even process on-the-spot TN or L-1 visa applications—cutting an hour or more from typical trip times.
USCIS Releases New Form I-129 Ahead of FY 2027 H-1B Wage-Weighted Lottery
On 10 March 2026 USCIS published a new edition of Form I-129 that becomes mandatory for all petitions post-marked 1 April 2026, the first day FY 2027 H-1B cases can be filed. The form aligns with the new wage-weighted lottery and requires significantly more detail about job duties and wage levels, raising the stakes for HR and legal teams preparing spring filings.
U.S. Embassy in Islamabad Cancels Visa Interviews 9–13 March Amid Security Review
The U.S. embassy in Islamabad has cancelled all visa interviews between 9 and 13 March 2026, citing unspecified security considerations. Thousands of Pakistani applicants—including business and student travellers—face new delays, and U.S. employers may need contingency plans for assignees awaiting stamping.