6 U.S. immigration changes you need to understand before October
New rules, new opportunities, and decisions that can shape your plans.
The next few months bring a sequence of changes that matter to anyone with plans in the United States: from windows that remain open to deadlines that have started to run. Below are the six points with the greatest impact on professionals, investors, students, and international companies.
Dates on the radar
Three deadlines concentrate this quarter's decisions:
September 15, students and exchange visitors: new period of stay rule for F, J, and I. Admissions will carry a fixed end date on the I-94.
September 18, financial profile: public charge under broader review. Broader, more individualized review of cases subject to the rule.
September 30, EB-5 investors: EB-5 legal protection deadline. Filing cutoff under the Regional Center Program.
1. The Green Card window is still open
The EB-1 and EB-2 categories remain current for most countries of birth in the August Visa Bulletin.
For highly qualified professionals, this may be the moment to turn a record of achievement into a concrete plan for the United States.
2. The EB-5 clock has started
Petitions filed through the Regional Center Program by September 30, 2026 may receive protection to continue being adjudicated, even if the program is later interrupted.
If you are already considering EB-5, now is the time to structure the investment and the source of funds.
The program is authorized through September 30, 2027. The 2026 date is the deadline for the legal protection.
3. Students will face new rules on period of stay
Starting September 15, admissions in the F, J, and I categories will carry a fixed end date on the I-94.
Planning studies, extensions, and travel will matter even more.
Date set by the final rule, subject to change after congressional review.
4. Financial planning carries more weight
Starting September 18, cases subject to the public charge rule may go through a broader and more individualized review.
Financial organization and consistent documentation become even more relevant.
5. Your social media can also be part of the visa review
The Department of State expanded online vetting for categories such as H-1B, F, J, R-1, and K visas.
Consistency between forms, professional history, and public profiles matters more than ever.
6. A $100,000 barrier on the H-1B was set aside
A federal court vacated the additional fee applied to certain H-1B petitions. The Court of Appeals declined to reinstate the fee while the appeal moves forward.
For companies and highly qualified professionals, this removes a significant financial obstacle, at least for now.
New rules do not close paths. They change the strategy
Those who understand the changes and plan ahead can make decisions with more confidence and make better use of the opportunities. The Piquet Law Firm team is available to assess how each of these points affects your case, whether it is a pending petition, an investment plan, or a corporate structure in the United States.
This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Dates and rules may change through administrative or judicial decisions.
Comments