INTRODUCTION:
January 2026 was very active month for U.S. Immigration. GLF provided updates via Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram on numerous U.S. Immigration matters, including:
- DHS Reduces Wait Times for Religious Workers
- State Department’s February Visa Bulletin
- U.S. Visa Processing Paused for Applicants From 75 Countries
- USCIS Hikes Premium Process Fees from March 01
- Visa Bond Pilot Program For B-1/B-2 Applicants
- Citizenship On Hold: Thousands Left in Limbo After U.S. Freezes Naturalization Ceremonies
We at GLF post regular updates on our Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram handles. Additionally, we also periodically send out GLF Newsletters when the subject matter is extensive and relevant for a detailed analysis. Presented below is a consolidated summary of updates posted on GLF’s various social media handles for January 2026
DHS REDUCES WAIT TIMES FOR RELIGIOUS WORKERS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued an interim final rule that significantly reduces delays for religious workers seeking to return to the United States.
What Has Changed?
Previously, R-1 religious workers who reached the statutory five-year maximum stay were required to remain outside the U.S. for one full year before reapplying. Under the new rule, this one-year foreign residency requirement has been eliminated.
While R-1 workers must still depart after completing five years in the U.S., there is no longer a mandatory minimum period they must remain abroad before seeking readmission. This change minimizes disruption for religious institutions and ensures continuity of essential religious services.
The rule also addresses long-standing backlogs in the EB-4 immigrant visa category, which worsened following visa processing changes in 2023.
USCIS is accepting public comments for 60 days following publication in the Federal Register.
STATE DEPARTMENT’S FEBRUARY VISA BULLETIN
The U.S. Department of State has released the February 2026 Visa Bulletin. USCIS has confirmed that: Dates for Filing must be used for both family-sponsored and employment-based filings.
Family-Sponsored Preference Categories (India):
- F-1 – Final Action Date: November 08, 2016 (unchanged); Dates for Filing: September 01, 2017 (unchanged)
- F-2A – Final Action Date: February 01, 2024 (unchanged); Dates for Filing advanced from December 22, 2025, to January 22, 2026
- F-2B – Final Action Date: December 01, 2016 (unchanged), Dates for Filing: March 15, 2017 (unchanged)
- F-3 – Final Action Date: September 08, 2011 (unchanged); Dates for Filing: July 22, 2012 (unchanged)
Employment-Based Preference Categories (India):
- EB-1 – Final Action Date: February 01, 2023 (unchanged); Dates for Filing: August 01, 2023 (unchanged)
- EB-2 – Final Action Date: July 15, 2013 (unchanged); Dates for Filing: December 01, 2013 (unchanged)
- EB-3 – Final Action Date: November 15, 2013 (unchanged); Dates for Filing: August 15, 2014 (unchanged)
- EB-4 – Final Action Date: January 01, 2021 (unchanged); Dates for Filing: March 15, 2021 (unchanged)
Religious Workers Category: Final Action Date has advanced from (January 01, 2021) to Unavailable; Dates for filing have advanced from (March 15, 2021) to Unavailable.
The DV-2026 annual limit has been reduced to 52,000 visas.
U.S. VISA PROCESSING PAUSED FOR APPLICANTS FROM 75 COUNTRIES
The U.S. Department of State has announced a temporary pause on immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026, as part of expanded consular screening and public charge reviews.
This pause applies only to immigrant visas (employment-based and family-based) and does not impact B-1/B-2 visitor visas. U.S. embassies and consulates have been instructed to halt final adjudications during this review period.
Due to the absence of detailed public guidance, applicants are strongly advised to monitor official announcements and consult immigration counsel before making travel, employment, or relocation decisions.
USCIS HIKES PREMIUM PROCESS FEES FROM MARCH 01
DHS has issued a final rule increasing USCIS premium processing fees, reflecting inflation adjustments authorized under the USCIS Stabilization Act.
The revised fees apply to Form I-907 requests postmarked on or after March 1, 2026. Premium processing remains available only for eligible benefit categories.
Form I-129
H-2B or R-1 Non-immigrant status Current Fee: $1,685 → New Fee: $1,780
E-1, E-2, E-3, H-1B, H-3, L-1A, L-1B, LZ, O-1, O-2, P-1 / P-1S, P-2 / P-2S, P-3 / P-3S, Q-1, TN-1, TN-2: Current Fee: $2,805 → New Fee: $2,965
Form I-140: Employment-based immigrant categories (E11, E12, E13, E21 – NIW & Non-NIW, E31, E32, EW3): Current Fee: $2,805 → New Fee: $2,965Form I-539: F-1, F-2, J-1, J-2, M-1, M-2: Current Fee: $1,965 → New Fee: $2,075
Form I-765: OPT and STEM OPT: Current Fee: $1,685 → New Fee: $1,780
Key Takeaway:
Employers, students, and petitioners should factor these increased costs into filings submitted on or after March 1, 2026 to avoid rejections or processing delays.
VISA BOND PILOT PROGRAM FOR B-1/B-2 APPLICANTS
The U.S. Department of State has launched a 12-month Visa Bond Pilot Program for certain B-1/B-2 visitor visa applicants under a Temporary Final Rule.
Consular officers may require applicants from designated countries to post a Maintenance of Status and Departure Bond of $5,000, $10,000 (standard), or $15,000 before visa issuance. Bonds are paid via Pay.gov and held by the U.S. Treasury under DHS direction.
Applicants subject to the bond receive a single-entry visa valid for 3 months and may be admitted for up to 30 days only. Entry and departure are limited to designated ports of entry, including JFK, Boston, Washington Dulles, Newark, Atlanta, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, Toronto, and Montréal.
The list of affected countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and South America—is updated periodically, with most additions effective January 2026. The bond requirement applies regardless of where the visa is issued.
The bond is refunded upon timely departure and full compliance with visa terms; violations may result in forfeiture. The pilot runs through August 5, 2026, and is expected to increase processing times and limit travel flexibility.
CITIZENSHIP ON HOLD: THOUSANDS LEFT IN LIMBO AFTER U.S. FREEZES NATURALIZATION CEREMONIES
President Donald Trump’s decision to suspend U.S. naturalization ceremonies for applicants from dozens of countries has left thousands of lawful permanent residents unable to complete the final step to citizenship. Many of those affected have lived in the United States for years or decades and have already passed background checks, English and civics exams, and received formal approval.
The suspension followed a deadly shooting involving a National Guard member in Washington, D.C., after which the administration imposed broader migration limits on countries it labeled “high-risk.” USCIS initially halted ceremonies for applicants from 19 countries, later expanding the list to 39. While officials say the pause allows for additional security screening, critics note that the naturalization process already includes extensive vetting.
Because many applicants were fully approved and waiting only to take the oath, the policy effectively blocks citizenship at the final stage, with no clear timeline or individualized review.
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