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 May 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 next month.
Highlights of the May 2026 Visa Bulletin
At a Glance
What can we expect to see in the month of May?
Employment-Based Categories
Final Action Advancements
EB-3 Other Workers
Worldwide and Mexico will advance 3 months to February 1, 2022
EB-5 Unreserved Categories (C5, T5, I5, and R5)
EB-5 China will advance 3 weeks to September 22, 2016
Imagine building a life in the United States, paying taxes, buying a home, putting down roots, only to have it all put at risk by a single misstep. One arrest. One extended trip abroad. Suddenly, your green card status is on the line. Sound impossible? For thousands of green card holders during the Trump administration, this has become a very real and unsettling reality. By contrast, those who become U.S. citizens can live in the United States with greater security and peace of mind.
In this blog post, we discuss five key differences between green card holders and U.S. citizens that might make you rethink staying a permanent resident.
#1 Deportation Risk
One of the most important differences between green card holders and U.S. citizens is the risk of deportation. Green card holders have the right to live and work in the United States, but their status is not guaranteed forever.
Certain situations can put a green card at risk, including criminal convictions, immigration violations, or even spending too much time outside the U.S. In these cases, a green card holder may be placed in removal proceedings.
By contrast, U.S. citizens cannot be deported even when convicted of a criminal offense. This key difference means that only U.S. citizenship offers permanent protection from deportation.
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 April 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 next 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.
On January 14, 2026, the State Department announced it is pausing the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026, while it develops a new process to assess whether applicants may become a “public charge” (financially dependent on the U.S. government).
Applicants can still apply and attend interviews, but no immigrant visas will not be issued during the pause. The policy affects family-sponsored and employment-based green cards, though dual nationals applying with a passport from a country not on the list are exempt from the suspension.
The policy change focuses on the statutory “public charge” ground of inadmissibility, which allows visa refusal in the event an applicant is found likely to depend on the U.S. government for financial assistance. Consular officers are permitted to consider factors such as an applicant’s health, age, education, employment prospects, and financial stability when evaluating if they are a public charge risk.
It is unclear how long the suspension will last or how the public charge review process will ultimately change.
Immigrant visa applicants from the affected countries should monitor communications from the State Department and prepare for potential delays in visa issuance.
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
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