News
B-1 Visa Bond Pilot Program Expanded Again
The US Department of State (DOS) will add 12 more countries (Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia ) to the B-1/B-2 Visa Bond Pilot Program, bringing the total countries in the pilot to 50 effective April 2, 2026. Nationals of subject... More
ISSO Scholar Communiqué – March 2026
Special Edition on Summer Hiring and Immigration Processing Reminders More
Visa Processing Disruptions Due to US Military Operations Involving Iran
Recent geopolitical developments have prompted the U.S. Department of State to issue a Worldwide Security Caution following U.S. military operations involving Iran. As security conditions evolve across parts of the Middle East, several U.S. embassies and consulates have temporarily closed or limited operations. These developments may affect visa interview scheduling, More
DOS Pauses Immigrant Visa Processing for Nationals of 75 Countries
The US Department of State announced that they will pause immigrant visa processing effective January 21, 2026 for nationals from 75 countries citing concerns that some of these nationals could require financial or public charge assistance upon entering the US. It is important to understand that an immigrant visa approves... More
ISSO Scholar Communiqué – January 2026
Compliance Reminders for Administrative Contacts and Supervisors, Expanded Travel Ban and Enhanced Application Screening, H-1B Premium Processing Fee Increase Announced More
Spring 2026 Workshop Series
Please find our virtual immigration workshop series below. Join us at one of our scheduled workshops to learn about maintaining status and employment benefits as an F-1 or J-1 student and get your questions answered by ISSO staff. In addition, you are welcome to access one of our on-demand workshops available on... More
Spring 2026 Student Reminders
Please review the information below for important reminders regarding maintaining status for new students and continuing F and J students. Please read our updated summaries of F-1 student and J-1 student regulations to learn more! ISSO continues to monitor news and updates to immigration policy from the federal administration. In the event of changes that impact... More
USCIS Announces Application Pause for Increased Vetting for Nationals of Travel Ban Countries
June 5 Update: Federal Court Ruling Mandates USCIS to Resume Processing Applications From Travel Ban Nationals Original post from Jan 9, 2026 In addition to a travel ban, USCIS announced a pause to the processing of applications submitted to USCIS for changes, extensions and benefits of status from nationals of travel ban countries... More
Final Rule on Weighted Selection of H-1B Cap-Subject Registrants
The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on December 29, 2025 entitled Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions which will become effective on February 27, 2026. The new weighted system based on salary levels will replace the current random selection process... More
B-1 Visa Bond Pilot Program Expanded
The Department of State (DOS) published a temporary final rule on August 5, 2025, that established a pilot program to test a $5K, $10K, or $15K bond system for select B‑1/B‑2 visitor visa applicants from countries with high overstay rates or other conditions. This list was recently expanded to new... More