USA immigration changes: week of 28 September 2026

Work green card queue dates move back for most countries, forward in some other categories

The monthly United States list of green card queue dates, called the visa bulletin, says that for October 2026 some employment-based categories for "Rest of World" countries moved back, to stay within yearly limits, while other categories moved forward. People applying inside the country in October 2026 use the earlier "Dates for Filing" chart.

Official source: Visa Bulletin - Immigrant Numbers for October 2026 (Number 19, Volume XI)

Asylum, work permit, parole and temporary protection fees go up from 16 October 2026

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, which decides applications made inside the country, has raised four fees for inflation. The yearly asylum application fee rises from $102 to $105, the parole fee on Form I-131 from $1,020 to $1,050, a first work permit from $560 to $570, and temporary protected status from $510 to $520. The new amounts apply from 16 October 2026.

Effective from 16 October 2026.

Official source: USCIS Announces FY 2027 Inflation Increase for Certain Immigration-Related Fees

Investor green card fees updated, set to start on 30 November 2026

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, the agency that decides immigration applications, says it is updating the fees for the EB-5 programme. That is the route to a green card for people who invest money in a business in the United States. The agency says the new fees are designed to start on 30 November 2026, and that they also pay for checks such as audits and site visits.

Effective from 30 November 2026.

Official source: USCIS Adjusts EB-5 Fees to Cover Program Costs and Strengthen Integrity Measures