The U.S. State Department announced on November 5, 2025, that it’s making changes to the 2027 Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. While it hasn’t yet confirmed when registration will open, the government says those dates—and the timing for entry-status check results—will be released “as soon as practicable.” Importantly, these changes do…
Articles Posted in Immigrant Visas
December Visa Bulletin: Strong Movement for Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Categories, and Slight Movement for Family-Sponsored Categories
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the December 2025 Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month. USCIS Adjustment of Status For adjustment of status filings to permanent…
Federal Court stops EB-5 fee increases: What happened and Why it matters
On November 12, 2025, a federal court ruling in the case Moody et al. v. Mayorkas et al. granted relief to new investors in the EB-5 program by halting the increased application fees introduced by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on April 1, 2024. What fees were increased?…
What’s happening with the Diversity Visa Lottery?
The latest announcement from U.S. Department of State has sent ripples through immigration communities: the opening of registration for the Diversity Visa Lottery (DV‑2027) has been delayed, and changes to the entry process are on the horizon. What’s happening? Traditionally, the DV-Lottery registration period opens in early October. This year,…
November Visa Bulletin: No Movement for Employment-Based Categories, Modest Movement for Family Sponsored Categories
We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the November 2025 Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month. USCIS Adjustment of Status For adjustment of status filings to permanent…
New Executive Order Establishes the Gold Card—Pathway to Permanent Residency for Wealthy
On Friday evening, President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order establishing a new pathway to permanent residency called “The Gold Card.” This program creates a fast-track green card option for wealthy individuals who make significant “gifts” to the U.S. government through the Department of Commerce. Highlights Although clear guidance on…
October 2025 Visa Bulletin – Start of Fiscal Year Brings Moderate Movement in EB Final Action Dates and Significant Movement in EB Dates for Filing, Family Sponsored Final Actions Dates Also Show Major Movement
We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the October 2025 Visa Bulletin. In this blog post, we breakdown the movement of the employment-based and family-sponsored categories in the coming month. USCIS Adjustment of Status For adjustment of status filings to permanent…
New U.S. Visa Rules: Applying at U.S. Embassy in Your Place of Residence or Country of Nationality Now Required
Flickr Creative Commons Attribution Jeroen Akkermans In the last months, the U.S. Department of State released two significant policy updates that impact both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants. These updates focus on a core change: applicants will now be required to have their visa interviews in their place of residence…
Immigration Updates: DHS Terminates Venezuela’s 2021 Designation for Temporary Protected Status, and EB-2 Annual Limit Reached
On September 3, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the termination of the 2021 designation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) previously granted to Venezuelans by President Biden. The government’s actions mean that the 2021 designation for Venezuela TPS and any associated TPS-related protection and documentation for beneficiaries will expire on…
Happy Labor Day from the Law Office of Jacob Sapochnick!
As we celebrate the contributions of hardworking individuals across the nation, we want to take a moment to thank you — our valued clients — for your trust and partnership. We’re proud to support individuals and families who work tirelessly to build new lives, strengthen their communities, and pursue opportunities…