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On December 12, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced important changes to its photo requirements for several immigration forms. Effective immediately, USCIS requires all photos to be taken within the last 3 years of the application date, and self-submitted photos will no longer be accepted. Instead, photos must be taken by USCIS or a designated, authorized entity. These updates are part of a broader effort to improve national security and reduce identity-related fraud, especially in light of COVID-era flexibilities that previously allowed the use of older photographs. Who Is Affected by This Change? If you're planning to file, or currently have a...

Beginning December 8, 2025, H-1B and H-4 visa applicants across various consular posts have started receiving rescheduling notices for their previously confirmed visa interview appointments. These changes impact interviews scheduled on or after December 15, 2025, with new appointment dates being pushed as far out as March or even June 2026. This abrupt shift is attributed to the U.S. Department of State’s implementation of a new online presence review requirement, which is significantly impacting interview capacity at U.S. consulates globally. Key Developments Mass Rescheduling of H-1B and H-4 Interviews Consulates, including Hyderabad and Chennai, are unilaterally rescheduling visa appointments, some to dates as...

In a significant policy update, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it will shorten the maximum validity period for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), as part of an initiative to enhance its screening and vetting procedures for work authorization in the United States. Who Is Affected by the EAD Validity Change? Beginning December 5, 2025, USCIS will limit the maximum validity period of some initial and renewal EADs to 18 months, down from the previous 5 years. This change applies to specific categories, including: Refugees Asylees Individuals granted withholding of removal Applicants with pending asylum or adjustment of status...