The US will require immigration applicants to face expanded background checks as of April 27, 2026. Under a USCIS directive, officers must strengthen vetting before approving pending cases, following a presidential order to access more criminal history data. Green card and citizenship applicants are expected to be the most affected, potentially slowing approvals and increasing scrutiny.
From April 1, 2026, USCIS will roll out major H-1B updates, including stricter form requirements, higher costs, and greater scrutiny. Most notably, the selection process will shift toward a wage-based system that prioritizes higher salaries and specific skills. Officials say the goal is to better match allocations to labor market needs and spur domestic hiring.
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USCIS has wrapped up H-1B selection for FY2027, fully filling the 85,000 annual quota. Employers have been informed and petition filings will open April 1, 2026. The biggest shift: a weighted lottery that favors higher wage offers, replacing the older random selection approach—meaning pay could now decide who gets in.
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