Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the February 2026 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the new year.
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
Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the January 2026 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the new year.
USCIS Adjustment of Status
For adjustment of status filings to permanent residence in the month of January, USCIS will be using the Dates for Filing Chart for the employment-based and family-sponsored categories.
Highlights of the January 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of January?
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 will advance by 10 months to February 1, 2023
EB-1 China will advance by 10 days to February 1, 2023
EB-2 Members of the Professions and Aliens of Exceptional Ability
EB-2 India will advance by 2 months to July 15, 2013
EB-2 China will advance by 3 months to September 1, 2021
All other countries will advance by 2 months to April 1, 2024
EB-3 Professionals and Skilled Workers
EB-3 India will advance by 1.8 months to November 15, 2013
EB-3 China will advance by 1 month to May 1, 2021
All other countries will advance by 1 week to April 22, 2023
EB-3 Other Workers
EB-3 India will advance by 1.8 months to November 15, 2013
EB-3 China will advance by 1 year to December 8, 2018
All other countries will advance by 1 month to September 1, 2021
The Gold Card permanent residence program is now open. Under this initiative, foreign nationals—or their employers—may apply for lawful permanent residence by:
Paying a non-refundable $15,000 processing fee for each applicant and dependent, and
Making a giftdonation of $1 million for individual applicants, or $2 million for corporate-sponsored applicants to the U.S. Treasury.
These contributions are not investments— they are treated as unconditional gifts.
The program, established by presidential executive order 14351, allows eligibility for a green card under the existing EB-1 (extraordinary ability) or EB-2 (National Interest Waiver) categories based on the qualifying donation.
Application Process
Applicants start with by submitting their initial information, along with payment of the $15,000 processing fee (per applicant) on the Gold Card website.
USCIS then notifies applicants when they can file Form I-140G on the USCIS website to verify lawful source of funds. Once the applicant demonstrates the lawful source of funds and passes security vetting, the applicant or sponsor will receive instructions to submit the required $1 million (individual) or $2 million (corporate) donation to the Department of Treasury via ACH debit or SWIFT wire.
Once approved and a visa number is available, applicants proceed with consular processing for their immigrant visa.
Corporate Sponsorship
Employer Gold Card sponsors will be subject to a 1% annual maintenance fee – presumably, 1% of the employer’s $2 million donation ($20,000). If the employer decides to transfer its donation to a different foreign national, a 5% transfer fee would apply ($100,000).
The government has not yet indicated whether the “annual” maintenance fee must be paid until the foreign national obtains their green card.
Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the December 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of December.
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
Navigating the H-1B visa process can feel like a maze, especially if you’re aiming to take the unconventional route of self-sponsorship. In 2025, more skilled professionals and entrepreneurs are exploring ways to secure an H-1B visa without relying on a traditional employer.
This guide breaks down the essential steps, requirements, and practical strategies for individuals looking to sponsor themselves, empowering you to take control of your U.S. work authorization journey.
What you’ll learn in this video:
What is the H-1B visa
How to sponsor yourself for the H-1B Visa
Requirements for self-sponsorship
Jobs that qualify for self-sponsorship
Overview of the H-1B visa
The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant U.S. visa that allows foreign workers to live and work in the United States in specialty occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is widely used by professionals in fields like technology, engineering, healthcare, and academia.
Key Features
Employer-Sponsored: A U.S. employer must petition on your behalf.
Specialty Occupation Requirement: The job must require at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a related field.
Cap-Subject: Most H-1B visas fall under an annual cap (currently 85,000 per fiscal year, with 20,000 reserved for U.S. advanced degree holders), though certain employers like universities are cap-exempt.
Annual H-1B Lottery: Because the number of petitions often exceeds the cap of 85,000 visas (65,000 regular + 20,000 for U.S. advanced degree holders), USCIS conducts a random lottery in March to select petitions for processing. This means that even qualified applicants may not be selected, making the H-1B highly competitive.
Dual Intent: H-1B visa holders can apply for a green card while on the visa, making it “dual intent” compatible.
Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the November 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of November.
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
Launching or scaling a startup in the U.S. can be an exciting journey—but for many international founders, securing permanent residency is a critical step toward building a long-term future.
In 2025, entrepreneurs have several viable Green Card options designed to support innovation, attract global talent, and strengthen the startup ecosystem.
Whether you’re a founder, key employee, or investor, understanding these pathways can help you make informed immigration decisions that align with your business goals.
Here’s a clear breakdown of four Green Card options for startups in 2025—and how each can open the door to lasting opportunities in the U.S.
Option 1: EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW)
The EB-2 National Interest Waiver is one of the most popular Green Card pathways for startup founders and entrepreneurs.
Unlike many other employment-based visas, the NIW allows applicants to bypass the labor certification process and self-petition—meaning you don’t need a U.S. employer to sponsor you.
Instead, you must demonstrate that your work has substantial merit and national importance, that you’re well-positioned to advance your proposed endeavor, and that waiving the job offer requirement would benefit the U.S.
For startup founders, this often means showing how your company contributes to areas like technological innovation, economic growth, or job creation. Strong evidence—such as funding, traction, patents, or industry recognition—can strengthen your case.
In 2025, the NIW continues to be a flexible and founder-friendly route to permanent residency, making it an excellent option for entrepreneurs driving impactful ventures.
On September 19th President Trump signed an executive order establishing the Gold Card (EO 14351)—a new visa program allowing foreign nationals who make a $1 million nonrefundable gift to the U.S. Department of Commerce—or $2 million if made by a corporation or other entity on their behalf—to qualify for expedited immigrant visa processing.
These gifts are treated as evidence of “exceptional business ability” or “national benefit” when applying under employment-based immigrant visa categories, such as EB-1 or EB-2 (including national interest waivers). Federal agencies have 90 days to implement the program, including setting up application procedures, fees, and adjustment-of-status mechanisms.
Looking ahead, the Trump administration is reportedly considering the rollout of a “Platinum Card” program. This initiative would allow individuals to contribute $5 million in exchange for the ability to live in the United States for up to 270 days per year, without being taxed on their foreign income. However, no official details have been released at this time.
Is the Gold Card Set to Replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?
The big question many are asking is whether the Gold Card will ultimately replace the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.
According to the latest announcement, the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program will continue operating separately from the Gold Card.
Are you applying for an immigrant visa and want to know when your priority date will become current? Then you won’t want to miss our analysis of the September 2025 Visa Bulletin.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains what you can expect to see in terms of the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based visa categories in the month of September.
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.
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.
In this video, attorney Jacob Sapochnick explains why immigrant visa numbers are no longer available for certain visa categories for the rest of fiscal year 2025, as the annual limit on visa issuances has already been reached, well before the fiscal year’s end on September 30.
This news affects workers awaiting green card approval, employers navigating sponsorship timelines, and helps green card applicants manage their expectations.
In this blog post, we’ll break down what this means, why it happened, and what those affected can expect moving forward as the immigration system resets on October 1st for the next fiscal year.
What is visa number management in immigration?
First, let’s discuss visa number management in immigration.
This refers to the process by which the U.S. government tracks and allocates the limited number of immigrant visa numbers available each fiscal year. These numbers are divided across various categories, including family-based and employment-based immigration, and are subject to annual limits on visa issuance set by Congress.
Why are there annual limits on visas?
Proper visa number management ensures that the limited supply of visas is distributed fairly and efficiently among the various visa categories and countries each year. It also helps the government plan and monitor immigration flows, while giving applicants and employers a clearer picture of potential wait times and availability.
Who manages visa issuance?
The U.S. Department of State, in coordination with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is responsible for issuing annual visa numbers. Each month, the State Department publishes the Visa Bulletin, which outlines visa number availability and priority date cutoffs, helping applicants determine when they may proceed with their green card applications.
Since the demand for visas significantly exceeds the annual supply, the State Department imposes “cutoff dates” where individuals must wait in line for a visa. Typically, the majority of visa categories reach their limits by the summer months. When this occurs, no additional visas can be issued until the start of the new fiscal year on October 1st.
Immigration Lawyer Blog
