Office of Global Engagement
International Student and Scholar Services
Immigration Update Summary
Summary of Immigration Updates
FOR BROWN UNIVERSITY INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, SCHOLARS, AND EMPLOYEES. This page contains summaries of current immigration-related developments affecting international student and scholar travel, visa issuance, and immigration benefits. A complete list of recent news announcements can be found on our Announcements page.
Last Reviewed: 10/14/2026
Headline Developments
| Rule | Group | Status | Updated |
|---|---|---|---|
| Final Rule Eliminating Duration of Status (D/S) | F-1, J-1 | Not in effect - postponed by federal court order. Read the announcement. | 09/14/2026 |
| Curricular Practical Training Broadcast Messages | F-1 | All CPT policies and procedures currently under review. Read the announcement here. | 09/08/2026 |
| OPT Fee $70K / $30K Proposed Rule | F-1 | Not in effect. Currently in public comment period through November 9, 2026. Read the announcement. | 10/08/2026 |
| H-1B $100K fee on Visa Issuance | H-1B | In effect, but implementation has been stopped by federal court order. Read the announcement. The presidential proclamation creating the fee was renewed on 9/18/2026 | 9/18/2026 |
| H-1B $103, 625 Proposed Rule | H-1B | Not yet in effect. Comment period closed on September 24, 2026. Read the announcement. | 9/24/2026 |
| Travel Ban on 39 Countries | F-1, J-1, H-1B, others | In effect. Read our Current Travel Restrictions page. | 01/01/2026 |
Other Developments
- On June 11, 2026 the Federal District Court of Rhode Island issued a ruling lifting a USCIS processing pause on immigration applications (including OPT, H-1B, and green card petitions) submitted by persons who are citizens of, or born in, countries included in a travel ban proclamation. Processing on these applications appear to have resumed, although timelines may be extended due to administrative backlogs.
- On May 18, 2026, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Homeland Security, and other agencies imposed heightened screening and restrictions on entry relating to current outbreaks of the Ebola virus in central and eastern Africa. Read more about the CDC's order.
- On August 1, 2026, the State Department reassigned visa services at many U.S. consulates in sub-Saharan Africa to regional hubs. Students and scholars from many countries will need to travel to a ‘regional hub’ consulate to obtain their visa. Read more about this development on our website.
- The Department of Labor issued a proposed rule on March 27, 2026 that calls for changes that would increase the prevailing wage requirements for employers seeking to sponsor workers under the H-1B and other programs, including PERM labor certifications. The average certified wage increases may be as high as $14,000 per year per worker. The comment period for the proposed rule has closed, and a final rule is expected possibly later this year. Read more about the proposed rule here.
- On May 22, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memorandum regarding the adjustment of status process for intending permanent residences. The memo does not remove the option of filing Form I-485 applications to adjust to permanent residence, but seems to suggest heightened scrutiny of adjustment of status applications. Read our announcement regarding the policy memorandum on adjustment of status.