Alert Type info ALERT: On Aug. 31, 2026, USCIS published a new edition of Form I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA (edition date: 08/24/26). USCIS is providing a 30-day grace period during which we will accept the 10/17/24 edition of Form I-864. Beginning Oct. 1, 2026, we will only accept the 08/24/26 edition of Form I-864. USCIS will not process any 10/17/24 edition of Form I-864 postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Oct. 1, 2026. USCIS does not reject Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, if it is filed with a previous edition of Form I-864. If an edition other than 08/24/26 is submitted on or after Oct. 1, 2026, USCIS will follow 8 CFR 103.2(b)(8) regarding the applicant’s failure to submit the required initial evidence. Please note: The 08/24/26 edition of Form I-864 includes a privacy release that authorizes USCIS to request information from one or more consumer reporting agencies. If a sponsor has a credit or security freeze on their consumer or credit report file, USCIS may not be able to access the information necessary to assess the sufficiency of Form I-864. To avoid any delays, a sponsor should expeditiously respond to any requests made to release a credit or security freeze. Alert Type info ALERT: USCIS reminds individuals who have executed Form I-864 that they face serious consequences if the alien they are obligated to support receives means-tested public benefits. Form I-864 is a legally binding contract with the U.S. government to financially support the sponsored alien. If a sponsored alien receives means-tested public benefits, the benefit granting agency can request repayment from the sponsor to recoup the cost of any benefits paid. If the sponsor fails to repay the cost of the means-tested public benefits, the benefit granting agency may sue the sponsor, who will be liable for the cost of the benefits, legal fees, and other associated costs. Sponsors should not take on this obligation if they are not prepared to follow through on the financial commitment. Most family-based immigrants and some employment-based immigrants use this form to show they have adequate means of financial support and are not likely to rely on the U.S. government for financial support. Sponsor Eligibility Tool The Form I-864 Eligibility Tool helps you determine whether you want to sponsor an immigrant and meet the financial requirements to be a sponsor. Based on information you provide, this tool will estimate if your income and assets meet the guidelines to be a sponsor. You do not have to use this tool, and the results from the tool do not guarantee a positive or negative decision on your case. This tool is optional and does not replace statutory, regulatory, and form instruction requirements. You should review those requirements before you complete and submit your form. If you are eligible to file Form I-864, review the "Where to File" and "Special Instructions" sections to learn where to file your Form I-864. https://www.uscis.gov/i-864

Release Date 09/29/2026 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is updating fees for the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program to ensure EB-5 fees fully recover the cost of operating the program, meet statutory processing time goals, and support integrity measures such as audits and site visits. Congress created the EB-5 program in 1990 to promote U.S. economic growth through job creation and capital investment by immigrant investors. By investing in the U.S. and creating American jobs, aliens can become eligible for lawful permanent residence (also known as a Green Card). The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 directed USCIS to conduct a program-specific fee study and set EB-5 fees at a level that recovers the full cost of administering the program. The law also established processing time goals and strengthened program integrity requirements, including compliance reviews, audits, site visits, and measures to help prevent fraud and abuse. USCIS is largely funded by filing fees, not taxpayer dollars. This means the cost of reviewing applications, conducting background checks, verifying eligibility, detecting fraud, and maintaining program operations must be paid by those who use the immigration system. The new fees are designed to go into effect on Nov. 30, 2026. This rule finalizes the notice of proposed rulemaking that the Department of Homeland Security published in October 2025. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-adjusts-eb-5-fees-to-cover-program-costs-and-strengthen-integrity-measures Last Reviewed/Updated: 09/29/2026

Release Date 08/28/2026 On Aug. 24, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California issued an order in Red Eagle Law, L.C., et al., v. Joseph B. Edlow, 26-cv-04850-CRB (NDCA), enjoining PM 602-0192, and PM 602-0194. USCIS is ordered to adjudicate applications in the normal course of USCIS’ process. Further, the Court granted plaintiff’s motion for class certification. The Court certified the class below in this action of individuals who: (1) Are citizens or natives of one or more of the 39 countries listed in Presidential Proclamations 10949 or 10998, or the Palestinian Authority; and (2) Who are seeking asylum with an I-589 application pending; or (3) Otherwise have a benefit application pending with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services; (4) That is subject to the adjudication hold imposed by USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0192 (Dec. 2, 2025) or PM-602-0194 (Jan. 1, 2026) that has not received final adjudication as of the date of class certification. USCIS strongly disagrees with the Court’s order but will follow its terms pending possible further judicial review. The Policy Memoranda were issued based on Presidential Proclamation 10949, Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats, June 4, 2025, and Presidential Proclamation 10998, Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States, Dec. 16, 2025, and to enhance the screening and vetting process, as well as address threats to national security and public safety. USCIS will issue updated instructions pending further litigation developments. Last Reviewed/Updated: 08/28/2026 https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/recent-court-order-on-hold-policies

Release Date 08/24/2026 WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing to establish a $103,265 fee for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, including those eligible for the advanced degree exemption. The proposed fee would be paid at the time of filing and would be imposed in addition to all other applicable fees or payments. The proposed fee would generate revenue to recover a portion of the federal government’s costs for administering the lawful immigration system. These costs include adjudication of immigration benefits, fraud detection and national security vetting, systems modernization, records and fee collection operations, immigration court operations, consular visa processing, labor standards enforcement, and interagency coordination. DHS estimates the proposed fee would generate approximately $8.8 billion annually, based on a projected annual volume of 85,000 H-1B cap-subject petitions. “The proposed H‑1B fee is intended to recover the costs incurred across the federal government to adjudicate, vet, and support lawful immigration programs that otherwise must be funded by taxpayers,” said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Zach Kahler. Under the proposed rule, the additional fee would not apply to H-1B petitions that are not subject to the cap, such as petitions filed by certain nonprofit research organizations, governmental research organizations, and institutions of higher education. The number of cap-subject H-1B visas (or grants of status) issued annually is limited to 65,000, with an additional 20,000 for aliens who have earned a master’s or higher degree from a U.S. institution of higher education. For more information, see the notice of proposed rulemaking . For more information on USCIS and its programs, please visit uscis.gov or follow us on X , Instagram , YouTube , Facebook , and LinkedIn . https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/news-releases/dhs-proposes-additional-h-1b-fee 

Release Date 08/19/2026 On Sept. 18, 2026, USCIS will publish a revised edition of Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or A djust Status (edition date: 09/18/26). The form has been revised to align with the recently announced Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility Final Rule. The 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 replaces the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-485. USCIS is providing a preview version of the 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 and its instructions because there is no grace period for accepting the revised edition of Form I-485. Do not file the 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 before Sept. 18, 2026. We will only accept the 09/18/26 edition of this form if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 18, 2026. If you file Form I-485, please note that: USCIS will accept the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-485 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before Sept. 18, 2026; USCIS will reject the 01/20/25 edition of Form I-485 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 18, 2026; and USCIS will only accept the 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 18, 2026. Visit the Form I-485 webpage to view the preview version of the 09/18/26 edition of Form I-485 and its instructions. https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-publish-new-edition-of-form-i-485-older-editions-will-be-rejected-starting-sept-18

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is issuing updated guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual explaining how the agency will determine whether an alien applying for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident is likely at any time to become a public charge. On July 16, 2026, DHS announced a final rule that rescinds the 2022 Biden-era public charge inadmissibility regulations. The final rule was formally published in the Federal Register on July 20, 2026, and goes into effect on Sept. 18, 2026. The updated guidance aligns with congressional intent that aliens in the United States be self-sufficient and not dependent on taxpayer-funded government benefits. This updated guidance explains which categories of aliens are subject to the public charge inadmissibility ground and which categories Congress has made exempt. The guidance describes key concepts, the factors that are considered in public charge inadmissibility determinations, and what evidence will be considered. It also explains the public charge bonds process. Aliens Subject to the Public Charge Ground of Inadmissibility All aliens applying for adjustment of status to that of a lawful permanent resident are subject to the public charge ground of inadmissibility unless they are applying in an immigration category that is exempt. Below is a complete list of categories who are subject to and the categories that are exempt from the public charge ground of inadmissibility: 

Release Date 08/14/2026 On Sept. 15, 2026, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will publish revised editions of Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status , and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (edition date for both: 09/15/26). The forms have been revised to align with the recently published Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media final rule. The 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 replace the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 and the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765. There is no grace period for the revised editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 because the revised editions are necessary for USCIS to apply the final rule. Because there will be no grace period, USCIS is providing preview versions of the 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 with their instructions. Do not file the 09/15/26 editions of these forms before Sept. 15, 2026. USCIS will only accept the 09/15/26 editions of these forms if they are postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026. If filing Form I-539, please note that USCIS will: Accept the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before Sept. 15, 2026; Reject the 08/28/24 edition of Form I-539 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026; and Only accept the 09/15/26 edition of Form I-539 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026. If filing Form I-765, please note that USCIS will: Accept the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted before Sept. 15, 2026; Reject the 08/21/25 edition of Form I-765 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026; and Only accept the 09/15/26 edition of Form I-765 if it is postmarked or electronically submitted on or after Sept. 15, 2026. Visit the Form I-539 and Form I-765 webpages to view preview versions of the 09/15/26 editions of Form I-539 and Form I-765 with their instructions. Last Reviewed/Updated: 08/14/2026 https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-publish-new-editions-of-form-i-539-and-form-i-765-older-editions-will-be-rejected-starting

ALERT : The Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation of El Salvador and related benefits are set to terminate on Sept. 9, 2026. USCIS is sending notices to El Salvador TPS recipients who continue to be eligible for TPS but haven’t received renewal EADs with category codes A-12 or C-19 and whose TPS-based EAD application is still pending, that their expired TPS-based EADs are extended until Sept. 9, 2026, the end of the El Salvador TPS designation. USCIS will send the notices by mail and electronically to those who have a myUSCIS account. Completing Form I-9: If your employee has a pending TPS-based EAD renewal application, they should receive a notice from USCIS informing them of this automatic extension of their EADs to Sept. 9, 2026. If so, they may choose to present the following combination of documents as proof of identity and continued employment authorization under List A, valid until Sept. 9, 2026: An EAD that has an expiration date of Mar. 9, 2025; June 30, 2024; Dec. 31, 2022; Oct. 4, 2021; Jan. 4, 2021; Jan. 2, 2020; Sept. 9, 2019; or Mar. 9, 2018; and The USCIS notice extending their EAD. When completing the “Expiration Date (if any)” fields on Form I-9, input in Section 1 and Section 2 “ Sept. 9, 2026 ” along with a note in the Additional Information box. Employers may download the Alert and TPS El Salvador Automatic Employment Authorization (EAD) Extension webpage and attach them to Form I-9, along with the USCIS notice. When completing a case in E-Verify, enter the expiration date of “ Sept. 9, 2026 ,” from the Form I-9. Check the USCIS websites regularly for updated information. Please check the USCIS TPS El Salvador page regularly for updates. You may also subscribe to regular updates for Form I-9 and E-Verify using Granicus Communications . Last Reviewed/Updated: 08/12/2026 https://www.uscis.gov/i-9-central/form-i-9-related-news/update-on-temporary-protected-status-for-el-salvador-release-aug-12-2026

Release Date 08/10/2026 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is introducing an interim final rule (IFR) that allows U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to mandate electronic filing, or e-filing, for certain immigration forms. Under this IFR, USCIS may require future filings of any immigration form that has been available for e-filing for at least 180 days to be submitted online. USCIS will notify the public on its website at least 60 days before requiring e-filing of a form. Filers must use an online account to submit an immigration form to USCIS, either by completing the form online or by uploading a PDF of the completed form and related evidence. This initiative will eliminate reliance on the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s physical lockbox services and accelerate the shift to electronic fee payments. The transition should deliver substantial cost savings and greater efficiency for the federal government. By making data easier to receive, store, and access than with paper forms, e-filing enhances fraud detection, streamlines identity management, and improves national security screening through faster data access and expanded analytical capabilities. E-filing also reduces errors, incomplete submissions, and application decision times. The adjudication process becomes more secure, more transparent, and more efficient. Electronic filing is already common for many USCIS forms. This is not a new process for aliens to file electronic benefit requests. Requestors who cannot file electronically may request a waiver. Waivers are granted at USCIS’ discretion for undue hardship. This Interim Final Rule is effective on Aug. 11, 2026, and DHS will consider public comments submitted on or before Oct. 13, 2026. For more information, see the interim final rule . https://www.uscis.gov/newsroom/alerts/uscis-to-require-electronic-filing-of-forms-strengthening-national-security Last Reviewed/Updated: 08/10/2026