May 2026 Visa Bulletin flags EB-5 backlogs as Indian demand surges
ICE Reclassifies Common I-9 Errors as “Substantive,” Eliminating 10-Day Cure Window
U.S. Adds Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Pre-clearance Network, Easing Business Travel
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H-1B Filings at Major U.S. Banks Fall 10 Percent Amid Fee Hikes and Wage-Based Lottery
Labor Department data show a 10 percent drop in certified H-1B applications at major U.S. banks for Q1 FY 2026. The fall coincides with a new $100,000 petition fee, a wage-based selection system and tougher vetting rules, forcing employers to rethink which roles justify sponsorship. Mobility budgets may shift toward higher-paid, specialized positions as mid-salary jobs lose out in the new lottery.
U.S. Expands Social-Media Screening to Most Visa Classes in Security Overhaul
State and USCIS have made social-media vetting mandatory across most visa classes, according to an April 14 industry briefing. Applicants must now list user names for multiple platforms, and omissions can lead to visa refusals or fraud findings. The tighter screening adds weeks to some consular cases and requires employers to track online disclosures in the new Form I-129.