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Real-time H-1B policy shifts, USCIS processing signals, and immigration news — each tied back to the employer, wage, and LCA data you can verify on this platform.
Educational content only — Visa Pulse does not constitute legal advice. Immigration law is fact-specific and changes frequently. Always consult a licensed immigration attorney before making decisions about your visa status.
DOL Labor Condition Application (LCA) data reveals a widening salary gap between H-1B workers at tech companies versus staffing firms, with city-level wage pressure reinforcing the importance of location-specific comparisons. Here is how to read the 2026 signals.
Workers with an approved I-140 immigrant petition pending for 180+ days can change H-1B employers without losing their priority date, under AC21 portability rules. USCIS updated its guidance in 2024 to clarify same or similar occupational classification standards.
The premium processing fee for H-1B petitions increased to $2,805 in February 2024 and remains in effect for FY2027 filings. Premium processing guarantees a 15-business-day adjudication, with USCIS refunding the fee if the deadline is missed.
A growing share of H-1B petitions citing DOL Wage Level I (entry-level) are being challenged by USCIS as inconsistent with "specialty occupation" requirements, since a genuine specialty role is argued to command above-entry wages.
A revised USCIS policy memo issued in late 2025 reinforces that a position qualifies as a specialty occupation only when the specific role — not just the employer or industry — normally requires at least a bachelor's degree in a directly related field.