Visa Watch! The United States: week of 31 August 2026

Green card sponsors must use the new financial support form for filings from 1 October 2026

USCIS has issued a new edition of the sponsor's affidavit of support, Form I-864, dated 08/24/26. From 1 October 2026, USCIS will only accept this edition; an older 10/17/24 edition posted or filed on or after that date will not be processed.

Takes effect 2026-10-01.

Official source: I-864, Affidavit of Support Under Section 213A of the INA

US student programme office tightens the test for Curricular Practical Training work placements for F-1 students

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program issued stricter guidance on when a work placement counts as an integral part of an F-1 student's course, reported in the week to 4 September 2026. Some universities, including UC Berkeley and UC Davis, have paused certain course-credit CPT programmes while they review the new approach. This affects international students in the United States who want internships or off-campus training.

Reported by a news outlet. We could not find this on the government's own pages, so treat it as news rather than as a rule you can rely on. Check the official source before you act.

Reported by boundless.com: https://www.boundless.com/blog/boundless-weekly-immigration-news