The State Department is indefinitely pausing a visa program intended to admit certain individuals to the United States, known as the diversity visa program.

USCIS has now been burdened with additional task of reviewing all immigration cases from 19 countries of concern. The agency has been as

The State Department warns, 'a U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,' as rules impacting H1-B applicants take effect today.

Immigration applications from 19 countries subjected to a travel ban by the Trump administration earlier this year have been paused indefinitely because of national security concerns, the US government agency that processes visas and green cards has said.

The U.S. Department of State has released its January 2026 Visa Bulletin, providing updated priority dates for immigrant visa categories that guide when applicants can file for permanent residency (green cards) or have their applications approved.

Form I‑140G, the Immigrant Petition for the Gold Card Program, can be submitted through the new Trumpcard.gov website, which features an "Apply Now" option and allows prospective applicants to pay the required $15,000 fee to the Department of Homeland Security for expedited processing.

A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) district office in New York City. Employers and international students will like some elements of a proposed USCIS H-1B visa rule, but other measures may generate opposition. (Photo by John Moore/Getty ...