INTRODUCTION
April 2025 was very active month for U.S. Immigration. GLF provided updates via Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram on numerous U.S. Immigration matters, including:
- H-1B Compliance Alert: Navigating FDNS Inspections
- State Department’s May 2025 Visa Bulletin Summary
- Submission Of DS-160 Made Mandatory Before Scheduling Appointments
- U.S. Embassy In India Warns Against Visa Fraud
- U.S. Embassy In India Warns Against Visa Misinformation, Urges Use Of Official Resources
- U.S. Restores Legal Status For International Students, Cautions On Future Visa Revocations
- USCIS Announces Completion Of FY 2026 H-1B Cap Registration
- USCIS Updates Form I-9 and E-Verify.
We at GLF post regular updates on our Google, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram handles. Additionally, we also periodically send out GLF Newsletters when the subject matter is extensive and relevant for a detailed analysis. Presented below is a consolidated summary of updates posted on GLF’s various social media handles for April 2025.
H-1B COMPLIANCE ALERT: NAVIGATING FDNS INSPECTIONS
USCIS through its Fraud Detection and National Security (FDNS) unit, has increased the frequency and depth of site visits to ensure compliance with H-1B regulations. These inspections often involve direct contact with H-1B workers via phone or email, requesting detailed information about their employment and job duties.
Key Points to Note:
- Timely and Accurate Response: Failure to respond promptly or providing inaccurate information can seriously jeopardize an H-1B worker’s immigration status.
- Secure essential documents including Public Access Files for easy access and Audits
- Employer and Employee Responsibility: While employers play a critical role in ensuring compliance, H-1B workers must also understand and accurately represent the terms of their employment.
- Preparation is Essential: Employers should be prepared for site visits, and employees should be briefed on their rights and responsibilities during an FDNS inspection.
- Proactive Compliance: Both parties must proactively stay informed about immigration obligations and ensure consistency between what is filed with USCIS and what is occurring on the ground.
Being well-informed and cooperative during FDNS inspections is crucial to maintaining lawful H-1B status and avoiding potential disruptions.
STATE DEPARTMENT’S MAY 2025 VISA BULLETIN SUMMARY
The State Department has issued the May 2025 Visa Bulletin and here are the highlights:
- Adjustment of Status for Family Sponsored filing must use the Dates of Filing Chart and Employment Based filing must use the Final Action Dates Chart.
- Final action dates (March 15, 2016) and Dates for Filing (September 01, 2017) for Family sponsored F1 Category for India have not changed.
- Final action dates (January 1, 2022) and Dates for Filing (October 15, 2024) for Family sponsored F2A category for India have advance to February 01, 2025.
- Final Action dates EB-1 category (February 15, 2022) and Dates for Filing (April 15, 2022) have not changed.
- Final action dates EB-2 category (January 1 ,2013), and Dates for Filing for India (February 1, 2013) have not changed.
- Final action dates EB-3 category has advanced from April 1, 2013, to April 15, 2013, and Dates for Filing (June 8, 2013) have not changed.
- Final action dates for Certain Religious Workers are unavailable for issuance and Dates for Filing for India (February 01, 2021) have not changed.
- The DV-2025 annual limit will be reduced to approximately 52,000.
SUBMISSION OF DS-160 MADE MANDATORY BEFORE SCHEDULING APPOINTMENTS
Effective immediately, all applicants must complete and submit the DS-160 form prior to scheduling a visa interview appointment.
Previously, applicants were permitted to book interview slots before submitting the DS-160, which led to administrative delays and processing issues. Under the new procedure, the DS-160 confirmation number must match the number used to schedule the appointment. Failure to do so will result in the applicant being ineligible to proceed with the interview.
If a mismatch occurs, applicants will be required to reschedule their appointment using the correct DS-160 confirmation number.
U.S. EMBASSY IN INDIA WARNS AGAINST VISA FRAUD
The U.S. Embassy in India has issued a formal warning via its official Instagram account about the serious consequences of visa fraud. They emphasised that submitting false information or forged documents may result in a permanent visa ban under U.S. immigration law and could lead to criminal charges in India.
Applicants are held accountable for the accuracy of their applications, even if completed by someone else. The Embassy advises avoiding unverified visa agents, noting that many qualified applicants succeed by submitting honest and genuine information.
The Embassy highlights the importance of integrity and cautions that the risks of fraud can jeopardize one’s future.
U.S. EMBASSY IN INDIA WARNS AGAINST VISA MISINFORMATION, URGES USE OF OFFICIAL RESOURCES
The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India have issued an advisory through their official Instagram page, drawing attention to the growing spread of false or misleading information about U.S. visas.
To assist applicants in navigating the visa process correctly, the Embassy encourages the use of trusted platforms like the U.S. Visa Navigator, which guides users to the right resources based on their individual questions.
For assistance with scheduling appointments or submitting applications, applicants may contact customer support via email at support-india@usvisascheduling.com, or by phone at +91 2069020000 (India) or +1 332-220-1866 (U.S). Applicants are also encouraged to follow the official social media accounts of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in India for verified updates and information.
U.S. RESTORES LEGAL STATUS FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS, CAUTIONS ON FUTURE VISA REVOCATIONS
The Trump administration has restored the legal status of several international students whose SEVIS records were recently removed. This decision permits them to continue residing in the United States lawfully, at least temporarily. However, immigration officials warned that these students could still face future visa terminations.
This is the result of a series of lawsuits filed by students who received no proper explanation for their visa revocations. In some cases, the revocations were linked to minor infractions like traffic violations, while in others, no clear reason was provided. Despite restoring SEVIS access, Homeland Security emphasized that visa revocations had not been reversed for students who had already left the country and got their visas revoked.
USCIS ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF FY 2026 H-1B CAP REGISTRATION
USCIS received enough electronic registrations during the initial period to meet the FY 2026 H-1B cap, including the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap). Randomly selected beneficiaries were notified, and their petitioners are now eligible to file H-1B cap-subject petitions.
Filing Period started on April 1, 2025, and will end on June 30, 2025. Only petitioners with selected beneficiaries may file. Petition must be filed at correct filing location or online at my.uscis.gov along with copy of the selection notice, Proof of the beneficiary’s valid passport that was used for registration along with supporting evidence to establish petition approval eligibility.
USCIS UPDATES FORM I-9 AND E-VERIFY
USCIS made minor changes to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The latest version of Form I-9 (edition date 01/20/25) will validity until 05/31/2027 was made available for download. The previous edition (08/01/2023 edition) remains valid until 05/31/2027 and 07/31/2026 (for online filings).
From April 3, 2025, E-Verify and E-Verify+ have been reflecting the updated language, changing “A noncitizen authorized to work” to “An alien authorized to work” during case creation.
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At GLF, we will continue to follow further developments in the above discussed and other matters, while we provide updates through our Newsletter as and when they become available. GLF receives numerous emails, and phone calls every day seeking comments on various proposed bills and media reports that are often inaccurate. It is our job to separate facts from fiction and advise clients on important and relevant updates. The best way to receive accurate information is through GLF Newsletters. We encourage you (and your employees) to sign up for GLF Newsletter. If you have not already signed up to receive our Newsletters, please do so by visiting www.gokarelaw.com and signing up under the Newsletter Tab. All we need is your name and email address, which takes very little time to sign up. You can also review all of our earlier GLF Newsletters on our website