The U.S. Department of Labor released a long-anticipated proposed rule on March 27, 2026, that could significantly reshape prevailing wage requirements across key employment-based immigration programs, including H-1B, H-1B1, E-3, and PERM labor certifications. Titled “Improving Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Foreign Nationals in the United States,” the proposal seeks to revise how prevailing wages are calculated for both Labor Conditio

USCIS has announced that the statutory cap for H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker visas for the second half of Fiscal Year 2026 has been reached. March 10, 2026 was confirmed as the final receipt date for petitions subject to the cap and USCIS will reject H-2B petitions received after March 10 that request a start date on or after April 1, 2026 and before October 1, 2026, unless the petition is exempt from the H-2B cap. Availability remains for supplemental H-2B visa nu

A bipartisan bill titled the “Keep Innovators in America Act” (H.R. 8013) has been introduced in Congress with the aim of formally codifying the Optional Practical Training (OPT) program into statute. The proposal reflects growing recognition of the economic contributions made by international graduates and the need for predictable post-study work authorization frameworks. If enacted, the legislation could provide greater stability for students navigating career transitio

The U.S. Department of State has expanded its visa bond pilot program, adding additional countries whose nationals may be required to post a $15,000 bond when applying for B-1/B-2 visitor visas, effective April 2, 2026. The countries newly included in the program are Angola, Burundi, Cabo Verde, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Eritrea, The Gambia, Liberia, Mauritania, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Togo . The initiative is intended to reduce visa overstay rates an

In a notable regulatory shift, the U.S. government has reduced the fee for renouncing U.S. citizenship from $2,350 to $450 , reversing a significant fee increase implemented in 2015. Officials indicated that the change responds to public concerns regarding accessibility and aims to make the renunciation process more administratively proportionate. Despite the fee reduction, renouncing citizenship remains a formal legal process requiring an in-person consular appointment, ex

The U.S. Department of State’s April 2026 Visa Bulletin reflects notable forward movement in several family-based immigration categories. The F-1 category (adult children of U.S. citizens) advanced significantly, by approximately six months across most countries, while the F-2B and F-3 categories also showed steady progress. Perhaps the most impactful update was the return of the F-2A category to “current” worldwide, benefiting spouses and minor children of lawful permanent r

Williams Global Law is proud to host Pathways and Passports , our official podcast series where our Founder & Managing Partner, Simone Williams talks all things immigration for educational purposes. This platform delivers strategic conversations on U.S. immigration, global mobility, cross-border investment, and international business expansion, designed for foreign nationals, investors, founders, and international enterprises navigating the U.S. market. Each episode offe

Simone Williams will speak at an upcoming webinar on April 8, 2026 , at 11:00 a.m. (EST ), together with Cheikh “Moussa” Ndiaye , Vice President of Business Development and Head of EMEA at U.S. Immigration Fund. The discussion will focus on EB-5 investment strategies for African investors navigating travel restrictions, source-of-funds considerations, and evolving U.S. immigration policies. The session aims to provide practical guidance for nationals from restricted or h

On March 12, our Founder and Managing Partner, Simone Williams hosted a timely and successful webinar titled “From Snowbird to Strategic Resident: U.S. Residency Pathways for Canadian Investors.” The session featured a distinguished panel including Josh Benoliel (Realtor, Pink Miami), Andrew Wall (Registered Representative, Dynaxe Capital), and Alex Loveless (Co-Founder, EB5 Rural Alliance). Together, they explored practical strategies for Canadians seeking long-term

Simone Williams , Co-Chair of the International Business Development Committee (IBDC) of the DC Chamber of Commerce recently hosted the 2026 IBDC Kickoff Meeting at the Williams Global Law offices in Washington, DC, together with Co-Chair, Henok Tesfaye. The meeting was graced by the presence of the President of the DC Chamber of Commerce , Chinyere Hubbard underscoring the importance of the Committee’s work in positioning Washington, DC as a serious hub for international