Visa Lawyer Blog

Articles Posted in Visa Backlogs

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alexas_fotos-april-3109706-scaledWe are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the April 2026 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 residence in the month of April, USCIS will continue using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.

Highlights of the April 2026 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of April?

Employment-Based Categories

Final Action Advancements

EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

  • EB-1 India and China will advance one month to April 1, 2023
  • All other countries will remain current

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • EB-2 India will advance 10 months to July 15, 2014
  • Except China, all other countries (Worldwide, Mexico, Philippines) will become current

*Note, there is an immigrant visa freeze for all countries subject to the 75-country ban on immigrant visa issuance. Lawsuits opposing the freeze are currently pending. 

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Rising tensions in the Middle East are causing immediate disruptions to visa processing and international travel across the region. According to the State Department, several embassies throughout the Middle East have halted or significantly limited visa services following airstrikes targeting Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions.

The situation is fluid and is evolving on a daily basis.

Widespread Travel Disruptions Across the Middle East

The escalating security situation has triggered widespread travel interruptions throughout the region. Airspace closures have been reported in Iran, Israel, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Iraq, and Qatar. Airlines have suspended flights throughout the region, and there are reports of land border closures and shelter-in-place advisories in several countries.

These disruptions are expected to significantly affect visa issuance, passport returns, and the movement of workers.

U.S. Embassy Visa Services Suspended or Limited

The following U.S. diplomatic missions across the region have implemented operational changes, including canceled appointments, and the suspension of routine visa services until further notice.

  • United Arab Emirates: The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the U.S. Consulate in Dubai canceled all visa and U.S. citizen services appointments from March 2–4 while personnel sheltered in place.
  • Beirut: Since February 23rd non-emergency personnel have departed and all consular visa services have been suspended.
  • Qatar: Routine consular appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Doha have been canceled due to ongoing security concerns until further notice.
  • Israel: The U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem and the Tel Aviv branch office have suspended all routine visa services through March 13 and are prioritizing assistance to U.S. citizens.
  • Jordan: The U.S. Embassy in Amman issued a shelter-in-place directive and visa services are suspended for the foreseeable future.
  • Kuwait: Embassy personnel have been ordered to shelter in place and all routine visa have been suspended.
  • Dubai: The U.S. Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Dubai branch office issued a shelter-in-place directive and all routine visa services and appointments have been postponed.
  • Pakistan: The State Department has ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees from U.S. Consulates Lahore and Karachi to leave Pakistan due to safety risks.  At the U.S. Embassy Islamabad, the consulate will not be open for routine services on March 6, but staff remain available for emergency services only.
  • Cyprus: The State Department ordered non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave Cyprus due to the threat of armed conflict. All routine visa services and U.S. Citizen services have been suspended.
  • Saudi Arabia: The U.S. Mission in Saudi Arabia has suspended all routine and emergency consular services until further notice. The State Department has authorized non-emergency U.S. government employees to leave Saudi Arabia. The U.S. Consulate in Dhahran has specifically ordered the public to stay away from the area due to ongoing attacks and security concerns.

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ujeans-painting-1292226_1280We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the March 2026 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

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calendar-8705482_1280We are pleased to report that the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has published the February 2026 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 residence in the month of February, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.

Highlights of the February 2026 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of February?

Employment-Based Categories

Final Action Advancements

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • Except India and China, all countries will advance by 5.7 weeks to June 1, 2023

Dates for Filing Advancements

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • Except India and China, all other countries will advance by 3 months to October 1, 2023

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nils-huenerfuerst-xkq3mbthlh0-unsplash-scaledThe U.S. government has issued a revised travel ban that takes effect at 12:01 a.m. ET on January 1, 2026, significantly expanding restrictions on visa issuance for nationals of 39 countries and individuals travelling with Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents.

Under the new presidential proclamation, immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are fully suspended for nationals of 19 countries, which now include seven newly added nations. An additional 19 countries face partial restrictions — limiting immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories (e.g., B, F, M, J visas). One country, Turkmenistan, now faces only immigrant visa restrictions.

Importantly, the ban does not revoke existing visas or apply to foreign nationals already in the United States on January 1, 2026, with valid visas. Other exceptions include U.S. lawful permanent residents, dual nationals travelling on a non-designated passport, certain diplomats, and athletes travelling for major events.

This expanded travel ban marks one of the most sweeping visa restrictions in recent U.S. policy, with potential impacts on U.S. employers, and visa holders.

What are the countries subject to full restrictions

The proclamation adds seven countries to the existing 12 countries whose nationals are barred from both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance. The initial 12 countries with continued full visa restrictions are:

  • Afghanistan
  • Burma
  • Chad
  • Republic of Congo
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Libya
  • Somalia
  • Sudan
  • Yemen

The proclamation adds the following seven countries to the full restriction list:

  • Burkina Faso
  • Laos (previously on the June travel ban “partially restricted” list)
  • Mali
  • Niger
  • Sierra Leone (previously on the June travel ban “partially restricted” list)
  • South Sudan
  • Syria

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ball-4623653_1280We 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 residence in the month of December, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.

Highlights of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of December?

Employment-Based Categories

Final Action Advancements

EB-1 Aliens of extraordinary ability, Outstanding Professors and Researchers, and Certain Multinational Managers or Executives

  • India will advance by one month to March 15, 2022
  • China will advance by one month to January 22, 2023
  • All other countries remain current

EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability

  • India will advance by six weeks to May 15, 2013
  • China will advance by two months to June 1, 2021
  • All other countries will advance by 2 months to February 1, 2024

EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers

  • India will advance by one month to September 22, 2013
  • China will advance by one month to April 1, 2021
  • All other countries will advance by two weeks to April 15, 2023

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november-5650851_1280We 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 residence in the month of November, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.

Highlights of the November 2025 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of November?

Employment-Based Categories

There are no changes to the Dates for Filing and Final Action charts for the employment-based categories when compared to the October Visa Bulletin.

Family-Sponsored Categories

Final Action Advancements

  • F2B Worldwide, China, and India will advance by 9 days to December 1, 2016
  • F3 Mexico will advance by 16 days to May 1, 2001

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pumpkin-5517221_1280We 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 residence in the month of October, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.

Highlights of the October 2025 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of October?

Employment-Based Categories

Final Action Advancements

  • At the start of the new fiscal year in October, the Final Action Dates for several EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 countries will move forward, but none will advance by more than three and a half months, except for two notable exceptions:
    • EB-3 Other Workers China which will advance by 7 months and
    • The Final Action Date for EB-5 India will advance by almost 14 months

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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 or country of nationality.

This change has significant consequences for third-country nationals who have traditionally applied for U.S. visas outside their country of nationality, particularly those renewing H-1B, E, O, and L visas, as well as immigrant visa applicants outside the United States.

Immigrant Visa Applicants Must Apply in their Country of Residence

On August 28, 2025, the State Department announced that, starting November 1, 2025, immigrant visa applicants must attend their interviews at a U.S. consulate or embassy located in their country of residence, or in their country of nationality, with limited exceptions. The update applies across all immigrant visa categories, including Diversity Visas.

There are exceptions to this rule, though they are limited. Exceptions may be granted in rare cases involving humanitarian or medical emergencies, or in circumstances involving specific foreign policy considerations. Applicants residing in countries where routine U.S. visa services have been suspended or paused will need to process their case at a designated consular post, which is typically assigned by the State Department to handle cases from those particular regions.

Existing appointments for immigrant visa interviews scheduled prior to November 1st will not be cancelled or rescheduled.

Same Policy Applies to Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants

A similar change was later announced on September 6, 2025, for nonimmigrant visa applicants. Effective immediately, nonimmigrant visa applicants must also apply for their visa in their country of residence or nationality. This means that individuals cannot simply choose a different country’s embassy based on convenience or shorter wait times unless they reside there or are citizens of that country. This applies to all third country nationals who previously traveled to embassies or consulates in Mexico or Canada to renew their nonimmigrant visas.

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september-5459588_1280We are pleased to report that today the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs published the September 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 employment-based preference categories, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will continue to use the Final Action Dates chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of September.

For family-sponsored preference categories, USCIS will also continue to use the Dates for Filing chart to determine filing eligibility for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the month of September.

Please click here for more information.

Highlights of the September 2025 Visa Bulletin

At a Glance

What can we expect to see in the month of September?

Employment-Based Categories

There will be no changes to the employment-based Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for the month of September.

The Visa Bulletin contains an important note that says the Visa Office expects to reach the FY 2025 annual limit for most employment-based categories during August and September. When this occurs, affected categories will become “unavailable” and no visas will be issued.

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