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News & EventsUSCIS Confirms FY2026 H-1B Cap Reached – Likely No Second Lottery Round This Year
On July 18, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has received sufficient petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-1B cap for fiscal year 2026. This includes both the regular cap of 65,000 and the additional 20,000 slots...
Update: DHS Publishes Proposed Rule Ending “Duration of Status”
On August 28, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officially published in the Federal Register a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) confirming the anticipated end of the “duration of status” (D/S)...
Should I apply for an E-2 Visa or an EB-5 Visa?
For individuals who may be interested in working, investing, or starting a business in the United States, two options to consider are the E-2 Treaty Investor Visa and the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa. Although the two visas may initially sound similar, they are are...
NEWS FROM THE GROUND – U.S. Embassy Tokyo
We would like to inform our readers of several recent trends and developments observed at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Under specific circumstances, the U.S. Embassy may expedite the adjudication of Form I-130, Petition for Alien Relative, when requested. These...
Legal Concerns Regarding the “Gold Card” Proposal in U.S. Immigration Law
日本語版ページはこちら The proposed scheme, commonly referred to as the “Gold Card,” promoted by President Trump, which entails the sale or commodification of permanent residence, has raised substantial legal issues. Critics contend that such a scheme conflicts with the existing...
Legal Analysis of President Trump’s New Travel Proclamation: An Immigration Law Perspective
日本語版ページはこちら I. Introduction On June 4, 2025, the President of the United States, Donald J. Trump, issued a presidential proclamation (hereinafter referred to as the “Proclamation”) imposing extensive restrictions on the entry of nationals from nineteen designated...
Department of State Pauses Visa Interview for J, F, and M visitors
日本語版ページはこちら Effective May 27, 2025, the United States Department of State temporarily suspended the scheduling of new appointments for F, M, and J visas, impacting the international exchange and educational sectors. The suspension was mandated via a cable transmitted...
New Presidential Proclamation Imposes Travel Restrictions on 19 Nations
On June 4, 2025, President Donald J. Trump signed a proclamation titled “Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” Effective June 9, 2025, the proclamation...
Understanding Funding Strategies for EB-5 Investments
Exploring the best ways to fund an EB-5 visa investment is crucial for a successful application. We recommend reading insights from expert Marko Issever, who provides a comprehensive overview of the various funding options available to EB-5 investors. In his article,...
Understanding Alien Registration Requirements
日本語版ページはこちら Alien registration is an essential aspect of U.S. immigration law, established under a 1940 statute that mandates foreign nationals in the United States for 30 days or more to be registered, fingerprinted, and to carry proof of this registration. Although...