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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...

In a noteworthy recent Fox News interview, President Donald Trump publicly acknowledged the critical and ongoing need for highly skilled foreign professionals to sustain and strengthen key U.S. economic sectors. This acknowledgment underscores a central reality that VKM Law Group consistently advises its clients on: America's continued reliance on global talent, particularly within the H-1B specialty occupation visa category, to maintain its competitive edge. The Indispensable Role of Skilled Foreign Workers During his remarks, the former President specifically cited the need for expertise that is not readily available in the current domestic labor pool. He highlighted the importance of foreign talent in...