Published: 25.09.2026

• 2026-09-25Asylum Work-Permit Fees Remain in Place as Longer Waiting Period Is Considered

  Since 2026, asylum applicants have been required to pay a fee for employment authorization, with eligibility generally arising 180 days after filing Form I-589. A DHS proposed rule dated February 23, 2026 would increase the waiting period to 365 days.

• 2026-09-18Entry Restriction for Certain New H-1B Workers Extended Until September 2027

  For certain H-1B workers outside the United States, entry remains restricted unless the employer makes a 100,000 payment, subject to specified exceptions. The extension runs from September 21, 2026, through September 21, 2027.

• 2026-09-18U.S. Law Introduces New Sanctions and Entry Restrictions for Persons Linked to Russia and Iran

  The Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 requires periodic reviews of persons and vessels subject to sanctions. Individuals meeting the statutory criteria become inadmissible, ineligible for visas or other entry documents, and have previously issued visas revoked immediately.

• 2026-09-17Stricter U.S. public charge rule takes effect on September 18, 2026

  Starting September 18, 2026, consular officers and USCIS will weigh more heavily whether applicants can live in the United States without relying on government assistance. A sponsor’s financial documents will carry greater weight in family-based immigration cases.

• 2026-09-07USCIS Heightens Discretionary Scrutiny of Adjustment-of-Status Applications

  In May 2026, USCIS issued memorandum PM-602-0199 reaffirming that adjustment of status to permanent residence through Form I-485 is a discretionary benefit. The source indicates that applications will face heightened discretionary scrutiny.

• 2026-08-22Court Overturns Suspension of Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries

  On August 21, a U.S. district court in New York overturned the policy that had suspended immigrant visa issuance since January 21 for nationals of 75 countries, including Russia and Belarus. The court also vacated visa refusals based solely on that policy; the suspension had not covered student, tourist, or business nonimmigrant visas.

• 2026-08-06Report Examines U.S. Tax Residency and Renunciation of Citizenship in Wealth-Migration Planning

  The report examines how wealthy U.S. citizens use citizenship, residence, and tax-residency planning. U.S. citizens and resident aliens remain subject to U.S. tax and reporting obligations on worldwide income unless they complete the relevant legal process, which may include Form 8854 and potential exit-tax exposure.

• 2026-07-21The U.S. revoked more than 100,000 visas and paused some immigrant visa issuance

  According to the Congressional Research Service, the U.S. administration revoked more than 100,000 visas, paused Diversity Visa issuance, and paused immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries. Visa revocation can affect both planned entry and the ability to re-enter for people outside the United States.

• 2026-07-15Russian Banks May Restrict Deposits of Non-Residents from Unfriendly Countries

  Russian banks may impose restrictions on deposits held by non-resident clients from unfriendly countries, including the United States. The source discusses the possibility of freezing or otherwise restricting such non-resident accounts.

• 2026-07-13U.S. Strengthens Bank Due Diligence on Customers Without Work Authorization

  A May 19 executive order directed the Treasury Department and financial regulators to strengthen customer identification and consider immigration status where relevant to fraud, money-laundering, and repayment risks. Regulators have also issued or prepared guidance for banks on managing credit risks associated with customers who lack work authorization.

• 2026-06-13U.S. Introduces New Entry Restrictions for Nationals of Several Countries

  The United States expanded the list of countries whose nationals face entry restrictions or bans, citing national security, identity screening, and data-sharing concerns. Some visa categories remain available for certain countries, but tourism, study, and immigration travel is unavailable in many cases; the restrictions also cover holders of Palestinian Authority passports and may extend to close relatives.

• 2026-05-29Improper Entry into the United States May Lead to Criminal Prosecution

  According to the American Immigration Council, unlawful entry into the United States, avoiding inspection, or making false statements during entry may constitute federal offenses under 8 U.S.C. § 1325. A first offense may carry a fine, up to six months in prison, or both.

• 2026-05-27U.S. Announces Green Card Applications Must Be Filed from Abroad

  Foreign nationals temporarily in the United States who seek permanent residence will be required to return to their home country to apply for a green card. USCIS officers will determine exceptions for “extraordinary circumstances”; potentially affected groups include spouses of U.S. citizens, work and student visa holders, and people with humanitarian protection.

• 2026-05-27U.S. Policy Changes Green Card Application Procedure for Some Applicants

  USCIS announced that foreign nationals in the United States on temporary status who seek a green card will have to apply from their home country, except in certain extraordinary circumstances. The change may affect, among others, some spouses of U.S. citizens, work and student visa holders, refugees, and asylum seekers.

• 2026-05-22U.S. Announces Requirement to Apply for Green Cards from Abroad

  Foreign nationals temporarily in the United States who want to obtain permanent residence will be required to leave the country and apply from their country of origin. USCIS identified an exception for “extraordinary circumstances,” with officials deciding whether an applicant qualifies.

• 2026-05-19White House Directs Stronger Financial Oversight of People Without Work Authorization

  The order directs the Treasury Department to issue guidance to financial institutions on risks associated with serving people without work authorization and to consider stronger customer-identification and due-diligence requirements. Regulators are also directed to issue guidance on credit risks involving such borrowers.

• 2026-05-01U.S. Imposes Sanctions and Entry Restrictions on Persons Linked to Repression in Cuba

  A U.S. order blocks the property of persons linked to the Cuban government, certain sectors of the Cuban economy, corruption, or serious human-rights abuses. It also suspends immigrant and nonimmigrant entry for covered individuals and allows restrictions on correspondent accounts and asset blocking against foreign financial institutions conducting significant transactions for them.

• 2026-04-28U.S. Pauses Processing of Certain Immigration Applications for Nationals of 39 Countries

  Following the introduction of travel restrictions, the United States paused the processing of visa, green-card, work-permit, and citizenship applications for people born in one of 39 countries. NPR reports that the delays could affect hundreds of thousands of people and place their legal status at risk.

• 2026-02-02The U.S. Suspended Visa Issuance for Nationals of 19 Countries and Restricted It for Nationals of 19 More

  As of January 1, 2026, the United States fully suspended immigrant and nonimmigrant visa issuance for nationals of 19 countries and imposed partial restrictions on nationals of 19 additional countries. The restrictions also cover people traveling on documents issued or endorsed by the Palestinian Authority, with exceptions including lawful permanent residents and some dual nationals.

• 2026-01-21U.S. Suspends Issuance of Immigrant Visas to Citizens of 75 Countries, Including Russia

  The United States has temporarily suspended the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia. The measure affects pathways to permanent residence, including family- and employment-based visas, but does not affect tourist, student, or other short-term nonimmigrant visas.

• 2026-01-14U.S. Suspends Issuance of Immigrant Visas to Citizens of 75 Countries

  The United States has suspended the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Russia, pending a review of application procedures. The restrictions do not apply to tourist, student, or short-term work visas.

• 2026-01-08KPMG Highlights Tax Implications of Moving to the United States

  Moving to or spending more time in the United States can affect an individual’s tax residence and reporting obligations. KPMG recommends assessing worldwide income and gains taxation, interactions with taxes in other countries, and compliance requirements before departure.

• 2025-12-23U.S. to Impose Visa Restrictions on Citizens of 38 Countries from January 1, 2026

  The United States announced visa restrictions for citizens of 38 countries, including Antigua and Barbuda and Dominica. Depending on the country, the measures provide for a full suspension of entry for new applicants or restrictions on the issuance of certain visa categories; the measures will be reviewed every 180 days.

• 2025-11-14Sanctions Have Not Blocked One Foreign Brokerage Account under U.S. Jurisdiction

  The source describes a situation in which a foreign brokerage account under U.S. jurisdiction was not blocked after sanctions were introduced. The account still holds shares and cash.