Form update News
Filtered view of USCIS and immigration news tagged Form update. These items stay focused on what changes for people actively filing, waiting, or planning around a case.
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- CasePredictor EditorialPolicyForm update
Federal court temporarily vacates DV Hold policy (PM-602-0193) — USCIS ordered to resume ordinary adjustment adjudication for certain DV applicants
On August 28, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California temporarily vacated USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0193, which had imposed a blanket hold on adjustment of status applications filed by Diversity Visa program selectees. USCIS is now ordered to resume ordinary adjudication of pending DV adjustment applications during the remainder of the fiscal year.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialPolicyForm update
Public Charge rule changes effective September 18, 2026 — broadens benefits considered in I-485 adjudication
On August 18, 2026, USCIS issued updated guidance on the public charge ground of inadmissibility, effective September 18, 2026. Starting that date, any means-tested public benefits received on or after September 18 will be considered in the public charge determination for all Form I-485s filed on or after that date. Previously, only cash assistance and institutionalization counted.
Read summary & sources ->3 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updatePolicy
USCIS reaches FY 2027 H-1B visa cap — no more new petitions accepted for this fiscal year
On July 17, 2026, USCIS announced it has received sufficient H-1B petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap of 65,000 regular visa numbers and 20,000 advanced degree exemption numbers for fiscal year 2027. USCIS is no longer accepting H-1B petitions for the regular cap or the master's degree cap for FY2027.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialFeesPolicyForm update
Court vacates the $100,000 H-1B fee — but a stay keeps it in effect pending appeal
On June 8, 2026, a federal judge in Massachusetts vacated the $100,000 fee on certain new H-1B petitions as unlawful. Days later the court stayed its own ruling, and the government appealed to the First Circuit. As of early July 2026 the fee still applies to initial H-1B petitions that require consular processing — the outcome now turns on the appeal.
Read summary & sources ->4 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialPolicyForm update
USCIS reframes adjustment of status as discretionary "administrative grace" (Policy Memo PM-602-0199)
On May 21, 2026, USCIS issued Policy Memorandum PM-602-0199 instructing officers to treat adjustment of status under INA §245 as a discretionary act of administrative grace rather than an entitlement. Meeting the statutory eligibility criteria is no longer treated as sufficient on its own — adjudicators must weigh discretionary factors and can deny an otherwise-eligible application.
Read summary & sources ->4 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updateFees
USCIS publishes new Form G-1055 fee schedule with online filing fees for I-129 and I-907
The new edition of Form G-1055 (Fee Schedule) explicitly lists the online filing fee for Form I-129 and the online filing fee for Form I-907 when used to request premium processing for I-129 in certain classifications.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialOnline toolsForm update
USCIS Organizational Accounts let multiple staff collaborate on H-1B registrations and petitions
USCIS continues to expand Organizational Account functionality so that multiple people inside a company or law firm can collaboratively prepare H-1B electronic registrations, H-1B petitions, and the associated I-907 premium-processing requests inside one shared account.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialFeesForm update
USCIS premium processing fees increased March 1, 2026 (I-129 and I-140 now $2,965)
USCIS's adjustment to premium processing fees took effect March 1, 2026. The headline change: I-129 and I-140 premium processing rose to $2,965. I-765 went to $1,780 and I-539 to $2,075. Postmark date — not received date — determines which fee applies.
Read summary & sources ->4 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updatePolicy
EAD auto-extension ended October 30, 2025 — file I-765 renewals at least 180 days before expiration
USCIS ended the temporary 540-day automatic extension of expiring Employment Authorization Documents on October 30, 2025. With I-765 processing currently 3–12 months, USCIS guidance is to file renewals at least 180 days before the EAD expiration date.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updatePolicy
I-485 filings must include the medical exam (Form I-693) up front; June 2025 update tied each I-693 to a specific application
Since December 2, 2024, most adjustment-of-status applicants must include a completed Form I-693 (medical exam) with their initial I-485 submission. A June 11, 2025 USCIS policy update further tied each I-693 to the specific application it was filed with — submissions for prior or future I-485s are no longer reusable.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official) - CasePredictor EditorialForm updatePolicy
USCIS waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for adjustment-of-status applicants
Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS waived the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all adjustment-of-status applicants. Civil surgeons no longer need to document COVID-19 vaccination status on Form I-693, and USCIS will not issue an RFE or NOID based on missing COVID-19 vaccination documentation.
Read summary & sources ->2 sources (incl. official)
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