Weekly Immigration News Roundup: Jan. 2

This week, Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar chimes in on the top headlines. Below are the latest developments.

H-1B weighted lottery introduced for FY 2027

The 2027 H-1B visa lottery will introduce a process giving better odds to higher-paying roles.

Attorney insight: “Under this new rule, the higher-paying a role is relative to its geographic location, the more entries it receives in the lottery. Because wage levels are calculated based on local data, a role in a lower-cost-of-living area might qualify for more entries than a role with the same salary in a more expensive city.”

Judge upholds $100K H-1B fee

A federal judge ruled on Dec. 23 that President Donald Trump had the legal authority to impose a $100,000 fee for H-1B visa petitions for people outside the U.S.

Attorney insight: “This ruling means employers will continue to face stiff costs for employers looking to hire foreign talent. But remember that it primarily applies to workers outside the country. If you’re a current H-1B holder in the U.S. extending or amending status, your employer won’t likely have to pay the fee.”

Diversity Visa program paused indefinitely

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security paused the Diversity Immigrant Visa program, effective Dec. 19. Days later, the Department of State also stopped issuing new diversity visas.

Attorney insight: “This pause is indefinite and stalls both consular processing and domestic adjustments of status. Affected individuals should consider their qualifications for alternate pathways like the O-1 or EB-2 NIW.”

Fees increase in 2026

USCIS is hiking fees for several common immigration forms for 2026, and any forms postmarked Jan. 1 or later will be subject to the higher costs.

Attorney insight: “Because USPS has clarified that an automated postmark date may reflect the date of processing, not necessarily the date USPS first accepted your mail, do not rely on a machine postmark alone to prove timely filing near a deadline. For time-sensitive filings, hand-deliver the envelope to the retail counter and request a free manual (local) postmark, and if you need independent proof of tender or acceptance, purchase a Certificate of Mailing (and always mail early when possible).”