Here's What Changed the Outcome for One of Our Clients A B-1 visa refusal can feel final, particularly when important business interests are at stake. One of our recent clients discovered that a refusal is not always a verdict on eligibility. In some cases, it reflects that the application failed to accurately explain what the law permits. The Situation: Multiple Refusals in a High-Stakes Commercial Matter Our client had been refused a B-1 visa more than once before reaching

The U.S. Department of State has announced a significant new pilot program that would allow certain B1/B2 visa applicants to obtain a visa interview appointment within 10 business days by paying an additional $750 expedited appointment fee. The program is expected to take effect on July 1, 2026 and continue through December 31, 2026. New Expedited Visa Appointment Fee for B1/B2 Applicants According to a Temporary Final Rule published by the Department of State, eligible B1/B2

The $100,000 H-1B employer fee is DEAD — for now. U.S. District Judge Leo T. Sorokin (D. Mass.) vacated the fee in California et al. v. Mullin, No. 1:25-cv-13829, on June 8, 2026. His holding in plain terms: → The $100,000 payment is a TAX — not a regulatory fee → Only Congress can impose taxes → The President had no delegated authority to levy it The court rejected the government's broad immigration authority argument entirely. Nowhere in the INA, the judge found, did Congre

Important Update for U.S. Visa Applicants in India The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India have revised the official Consular Exchange Rate used for visa and consular fee payments. Effective May 25, 2026, the Consular Exchange Rate has increased from INR 96 per U.S. Dollar to INR 98 per U.S. Dollar. This revision corresponds to recent movements in the Indian Rupee-U.S. Dollar exchange rate. Applicants paying visa fees in India should ensure that they use the updated exchange