United States: Work Visas

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently implemented a sweeping new security vetting process that has effectively paused adjudications across a wide range of immigration case types.

The FY 2027 H-1B cap lottery data reveals a dramatic transformation in employment-based immigration, driven by USCIS's new wage-based weighted selection process and a $100,000 fee for offshore hires. These policy changes have fundamentally altered employer filing strategies, shifting focus from high-volume foreign recruitment to U.S.-educated talent while prioritizing mid-to-senior level professionals over entry-level candidates.

One of the most common questions employers and foreign nationals ask is, “how long will it take to get a green card?” In true attorney fashion, the answer is: “it depends.” This simple question is frustratingly complex because there is no universal timeline or one-size-fits-all process. Some employment-based green card cases can move from start to finish in a few years, while others may take significantly longer depending on the applicant’s green card category, country of birth and immigration status.

USCIS has quietly updated its enhanced screening and vetting policy to lift the adjudication hold for foreign national physicians.

In January 2026, the United States District Court in Nebraska vacated U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) denial of an EB-1A extraordinary ability petition on the grounds that the agency’s...

A fast-moving clash between federal regulators, state motor vehicle agencies, and the courts is reshaping who can legally hold and keep a non-domiciled commercial driver’s license (“CDL”).

Under the current Trump administration, the H-1B program has faced immense scrutiny and as a result significant changes have been put into place to curb what has been described by the administration as “rampant, widespread H-1B abuse.”

Pabian Law's April 2026 quarterly update examines critical developments in U.S. immigration law for hospitality employers, including H-1B visa cap changes, accelerated EB-3 green card processing timelines...

As H-2B visa workers increasingly extend their status and transfer between seasonal employers, questions arise about their ability to travel domestically and internationally between work periods. This guidance explores the permissible travel options for H-2B workers during seasonal transitions and highlights critical compliance considerations that employers must understand to avoid jeopardizing their workers' visa status.