{ "_comment": "Visa programmes side by side, with the policy changes marked, 2007-2024.\n\nWHAT IT ASSEMBLES. Series that already exist separately on this site, put on\none timeline so that movement between programmes can be seen:\n * State Department nonimmigrant visa ISSUANCES by class (fiscal year):\n F-1, J-1, H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN, E-3.\n * DHS SEVP work authorisations on student status (CALENDAR year): OPT,\n STEM OPT extension, CPT. These need no new visa -- a student already here\n works on the F-1 they hold -- which is why they can keep rising while visa\n issuance falls.\n * USCIS initial H-1B petition denial rate (fiscal year), the clearest record\n of how hard H-1B adjudication was in a given year.\n * Dated federal actions that restricted or expanded these programmes, each\n verified against its primary source (data/policy/visa_policy_events.json).\n\nWHAT IT DOES NOT CLAIM. It shows timing, not cause. Three things confound a\nsimple reading, and each is carried into the output so the page can say so:\nfiscal and calendar years are three months apart; FY2020-21 issuance fell for\nevery class because consulates closed during the pandemic, not only because of\nthe June 2020 proclamation; and TN is open only to Canadian and Mexican\ncitizens, so its movement is not a route for other graduates.", "sources": { "issuance": "US Department of State, Nonimmigrant Visa Detail Tables (fiscal year)", "student_work": "DHS SEVP, OPT / STEM OPT / CPT authorisations (calendar year)", "h1b_denials": "USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub, initial petitions (fiscal year)", "events": "Federal Register, White House, USCIS -- one primary source per event" }, "caveats": [ "Visa issuance and H-1B decisions are fiscal years (ending 30 September); student work authorisations are calendar years.", "FY2020-21 issuance fell in every class while consulates were closed for the pandemic.", "TN is open only to Canadian and Mexican citizens; E-3 only to Australians.", "An issuance is not a person: a visa is re-stamped for travel.", "OPT, STEM OPT and CPT need no new visa; they are work on an F-1 already held.", "H-1B denial rates for 2023 are incomplete and omitted." ], "years": [ 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 ], "labels": { "F1": "F-1 student", "J1": "J-1 exchange", "H1B": "H-1B specialty worker", "L1": "L-1 intracompany transfer", "O1": "O-1 extraordinary ability", "TN": "TN (Canada & Mexico only)", "E3": "E-3 (Australia only)", "opt": "OPT", "stem_opt": "STEM OPT extension", "cpt": "CPT", "total_sevis_with_opt": "students holding any OPT", "h1b_initial_denial_rate_pct": "H-1B initial denial rate" }, "issuance": { "F1": { "2007": 298393, "2008": 340711, "2009": 331208, "2010": 385210, "2011": 447410, "2012": 486900, "2013": 534320, "2014": 595569, "2015": 644233, "2016": 471728, "2017": 393573, "2018": 362929, "2019": 364204, "2020": 111387, "2021": 357839, "2022": 411131, "2023": 445418, "2024": 400737 }, "J1": { "2007": 343946, "2008": 359447, "2009": 313597, "2010": 320805, "2011": 324294, "2012": 313431, "2013": 312522, "2014": 331068, "2015": 332540, "2016": 339712, "2017": 343811, "2018": 342639, "2019": 353279, "2020": 108510, "2021": 129662, "2022": 284486, "2023": 316693, "2024": 322820 }, "H1B": { "2007": 154053, "2008": 129464, "2009": 110367, "2010": 117409, "2011": 129134, "2012": 135530, "2013": 153223, "2014": 161369, "2015": 172748, "2016": 180057, "2017": 179049, "2018": 179660, "2019": 188123, "2020": 124983, "2021": 61569, "2022": 206002, "2023": 265777, "2024": 219659 }, "L1": { "2007": 84532, "2008": 84078, "2009": 64696, "2010": 74719, "2011": 70728, "2012": 62430, "2013": 66700, "2014": 71513, "2015": 78537, "2016": 79306, "2017": 78178, "2018": 74388, "2019": 76988, "2020": 35942, "2021": 24863, "2022": 72958, "2023": 76671, "2024": 71799 }, "O1": { "2007": 7653, "2008": 9014, "2009": 9368, "2010": 8589, "2011": 8828, "2012": 10590, "2013": 12359, "2014": 12706, "2015": 13865, "2016": 15918, "2017": 17011, "2018": 16904, "2019": 17751, "2020": 8838, "2021": 7294, "2022": 19102, "2023": 18994, "2024": 19457 }, "TN": { "2007": 4091, "2008": 4761, "2009": 4124, "2010": 3392, "2011": 4971, "2012": 7638, "2013": 9548, "2014": 11207, "2015": 13093, "2016": 14768, "2017": 16119, "2018": 17950, "2019": 21193, "2020": 13771, "2021": 24903, "2022": 33361, "2023": 32904, "2024": 15672 }, "E3": { "2007": 2572, "2008": 2961, "2009": 2191, "2010": 2175, "2011": 2546, "2012": 3211, "2013": 3946, "2014": 4492, "2015": 5527, "2016": 5609, "2017": 5657, "2018": 5394, "2019": 5807, "2020": 3144, "2021": 2309, "2022": 4731, "2023": 4434, "2024": 3933 } }, "student_work": { "opt": { "2007": 24838, "2008": 45357, "2009": 46198, "2010": 51080, "2011": 56421, "2012": 62628, "2013": 67740, "2014": 77619, "2015": 99323, "2016": 137570, "2017": 152681, "2018": 145564, "2019": 138898, "2020": 122699, "2021": 115651, "2022": 117301, "2023": 160627, "2024": 194554 }, "stem_opt": { "2007": 2, "2008": 2128, "2009": 5869, "2010": 9356, "2011": 13504, "2012": 15937, "2013": 18782, "2014": 21456, "2015": 27493, "2016": 41782, "2017": 64481, "2018": 69650, "2019": 72116, "2020": 63906, "2021": 61543, "2022": 64844, "2023": 62036, "2024": 95384 }, "cpt": { "2007": 57403, "2008": 61171, "2009": 48568, "2010": 57409, "2011": 63911, "2012": 68482, "2013": 76223, "2014": 92528, "2015": 111135, "2016": 122529, "2017": 132380, "2018": 151525, "2019": 116338, "2020": 97368, "2021": 91352, "2022": 129849, "2023": 131117, "2024": 130586 }, "total_sevis_with_opt": { "2007": 24838, "2008": 47432, "2009": 51985, "2010": 60348, "2011": 69804, "2012": 78364, "2013": 86284, "2014": 98825, "2015": 126509, "2016": 171593, "2017": 204633, "2018": 200162, "2019": 197331, "2020": 176836, "2021": 164528, "2022": 171635, "2023": 214397, "2024": 269323 } }, "h1b_initial_denial_rate_pct": { "2007": null, "2008": null, "2009": 15.4, "2010": 8.0, "2011": 7.0, "2012": 5.0, "2013": 6.8, "2014": 7.5, "2015": 6.4, "2016": 9.7, "2017": 13.1, "2018": 24.3, "2019": 21.1, "2020": 12.9, "2021": 3.9, "2022": 2.2, "2023": null, "2024": null }, "windows": { "h1b_tightening_fy2015_2019": { "h1b_initial_denial_rate_pct": { "2015": 6.4, "2018": 24.3, "2019": 21.1 }, "f1_issuance_change_pct": -43.5, "opt_change_pct": 39.8, "stem_opt_change_pct": 162.3, "cpt_2015": 111135, "cpt_2018": 151525, "o1_change_pct": 28.0 }, "entry_suspension_fy2019_2021": { "h1b_issuance_change_pct": -67.3, "l1_issuance_change_pct": -67.7, "opt_plus_stem_opt_2019": 211014, "opt_plus_stem_opt_2021": 177194, "opt_plus_stem_opt_change_pct": -16.0 }, "fy2023_2024": { "h1b_issuance_change_pct": -17.4, "opt_change_pct": 21.1, "stem_opt_change_pct": 53.8, "o1_2024": 19457, "o1_record": true } }, "route_scale": { "years": [ { "year": "2007", "student_work": 24838, "h1b_issued": 154053, "ratio": 0.16, "authorisations": 24840, "double_counted": 2 }, { "year": "2008", "student_work": 47432, "h1b_issued": 129464, "ratio": 0.37, "authorisations": 47485, "double_counted": 53 }, { "year": "2009", "student_work": 51985, "h1b_issued": 110367, "ratio": 0.47, "authorisations": 52067, "double_counted": 82 }, { "year": "2010", "student_work": 60348, "h1b_issued": 117409, "ratio": 0.51, "authorisations": 60436, "double_counted": 88 }, { "year": "2011", "student_work": 69804, "h1b_issued": 129134, "ratio": 0.54, "authorisations": 69925, "double_counted": 121 }, { "year": "2012", "student_work": 78364, "h1b_issued": 135530, "ratio": 0.58, "authorisations": 78565, "double_counted": 201 }, { "year": "2013", "student_work": 86284, "h1b_issued": 153223, "ratio": 0.56, "authorisations": 86522, "double_counted": 238 }, { "year": "2014", "student_work": 98825, "h1b_issued": 161369, "ratio": 0.61, "authorisations": 99075, "double_counted": 250 }, { "year": "2015", "student_work": 126509, "h1b_issued": 172748, "ratio": 0.73, "authorisations": 126816, "double_counted": 307 }, { "year": "2016", "student_work": 171593, "h1b_issued": 180057, "ratio": 0.95, "authorisations": 179352, "double_counted": 7759 }, { "year": "2017", "student_work": 204633, "h1b_issued": 179049, "ratio": 1.14, "authorisations": 217162, "double_counted": 12529 }, { "year": "2018", "student_work": 200162, "h1b_issued": 179660, "ratio": 1.11, "authorisations": 215214, "double_counted": 15052 }, { "year": "2019", "student_work": 197331, "h1b_issued": 188123, "ratio": 1.05, "authorisations": 211014, "double_counted": 13683 }, { "year": "2020", "student_work": 176836, "h1b_issued": 124983, "ratio": 1.41, "authorisations": 186605, "double_counted": 9769 }, { "year": "2021", "student_work": 164528, "h1b_issued": 61569, "ratio": 2.67, "authorisations": 177194, "double_counted": 12666 }, { "year": "2022", "student_work": 171635, "h1b_issued": 206002, "ratio": 0.83, "authorisations": 182145, "double_counted": 10510 }, { "year": "2023", "student_work": 214397, "h1b_issued": 265777, "ratio": 0.81, "authorisations": 222663, "double_counted": 8266 }, { "year": "2024", "student_work": 269323, "h1b_issued": 219659, "ratio": 1.23, "authorisations": 289938, "double_counted": 20615 } ], "note": "The student-route figure counts STUDENTS holding any OPT in the year, the distinct count SEVP publishes, so a graduate who holds OPT and then the STEM extension is counted once. H-1B issuance is visas issued at a consulate, and a visa is re-stamped for travel, so it is a count of issuances rather than of people.", "first": { "year": "2007", "student_work": 24838, "h1b_issued": 154053, "ratio": 0.16, "authorisations": 24840, "double_counted": 2 }, "latest": { "year": "2024", "student_work": 269323, "h1b_issued": 219659, "ratio": 1.23, "authorisations": 289938, "double_counted": 20615 }, "peak": { "year": "2021", "student_work": 164528, "h1b_issued": 61569, "ratio": 2.67, "authorisations": 177194, "double_counted": 12666 }, "years_student_route_larger": 6, "years_counted": 18 }, "stem_opt_rule": { "from_months": 17, "to_months": 24, "rule_date": "2016-03-11", "ratio_from_duration": 1.41, "change_pct_2015_2019": 162.3, "note": "Part of this is duration rather than uptake. The March 2016 rule lengthened the STEM extension from 17 months to 24, and a 41% longer authorisation raises the number of people holding one at any moment even if no one changes their plans." }, "tn": { "issuance_year": "2024", "issued_by_nationality": { "Mexico": 15630, "Canada": 42 }, "admissions": { "2014": 712740, "2015": 787180, "2016": 817520, "2017": 741900, "2018": 731500, "2019": 725930, "2020": 485950, "2021": 385870, "2022": 550400, "2023": 1204910 }, "why_the_visa_series_misses_it": "Canadian citizens do not need a TN visa; they are granted TN status at the port of entry. Visa issuances are therefore almost entirely Mexican nationals, and the Canadian side of TN appears only in admissions.", "what_the_data_cannot_say": "Federal admissions and issuance data record the citizenship a TN entrant holds, not the country they were born in. Nothing in these series shows how many TN entrants are naturalised citizens of Canada or Mexico born elsewhere, so that question cannot be answered -- or dismissed -- from this data." }, "opt_cost": { "social_security_pct": 6.2, "medicare_pct": 1.45, "employer_share_pct": 7.65, "total_payroll_tax_pct": 15.3, "statute": "26 U.S.C. 3121(b)(19)", "statute_url": "https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/3121", "irs_url": "https://www.irs.gov/individuals/international-taxpayers/foreign-student-liability-for-social-security-and-medicare-taxes", "rule": "Work done by a nonresident alien on an F visa to carry out the purpose of that visa is not 'employment' under the statute. Practical training is such work. No Social Security or Medicare tax is due on the wages. The worker does not pay 7.65%. The employer does not pay the matching 7.65% it owes on an American hire.", "stem_opt_pay_rule": "The 24-month STEM extension is different. 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(C)(8) requires duties, hours and pay commensurate with the employer's similar US workers. Standard 12-month OPT carries no such requirement. Neither involves a Labor Condition Application or a prevailing-wage determination.", "stem_opt_rule_url": "https://www.govinfo.gov/content/pkg/CFR-2024-title8-vol1/xml/CFR-2024-title8-vol1-sec214-2.xml", "dependency_quote": "During post-completion OPT, F-1 status is dependent upon employment.", "dependency_rule": "A graduate on OPT loses status after 90 days without work, or 150 days across the 24-month STEM extension. The STEM employer must be enrolled in E-Verify. Changing employer means a new training plan and a new school recommendation within 10 days.", "dependency_cite": "8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(ii)(E), (f)(10)(ii)(C)(5) and (C)(7)" }, "events": [ { "id": "stem_opt_17_month_2008", "date": "2008-04-08", "effective_date": "2008-04-08", "title": "Extending Period of Optional Practical Training by 17 Months for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and Expanding Cap-Gap Relief for All F-1 Students With Pending H-1B Petitions", "instrument": "73 FR 18944 (interim final rule, DHS/ICE, FR Doc. E8-7427)", "affects": [ "F-1", "OPT", "STEM OPT", "H-1B" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "DHS created a 17-month extension of post-completion OPT (29 months total) for F-1 students with a STEM degree working for E-Verify employers, and extended cap-gap relief for F-1 students with pending H-1B petitions.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2008/04/08/E8-7427/extending-period-of-optional-practical-training-by-17-months-for-f-1-nonimmigrant-students-with-stem", "fiscal_year": 2008, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": "Published and effective the same day (interim final rule). A correction was published 2009-06-03 at 74 FR 26514 (FR Doc. E9-12861).", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "stem_opt_24_month_2016", "date": "2016-03-11", "effective_date": "2016-05-10", "title": "Improving and Expanding Training Opportunities for F-1 Nonimmigrant Students With STEM Degrees and Cap-Gap Relief for All Eligible F-1 Students", "instrument": "81 FR 13040 (final rule, DHS/ICE, FR Doc. 2016-04828)", "affects": [ "F-1", "OPT", "STEM OPT", "H-1B" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "DHS replaced the 17-month STEM OPT extension with a 24-month extension and added training-plan, reporting and oversight requirements for STEM OPT employers.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2016/03/11/2016-04828/improving-and-expanding-training-opportunities-for-f-1-nonimmigrant-students-with-stem-degrees-and", "fiscal_year": 2016, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": "The proposed rule was published 2015-10-19 at 80 FR 63376.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "uscis_pm_602_0142_computer_positions_2017", "date": "2017-03-31", "effective_date": null, "title": "Rescission of the December 22, 2000 \"Guidance memo on H1B computer related positions\"", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0142", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "USCIS rescinded 2000 guidance that had treated computer programmer positions as generally qualifying as specialty occupations.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/memos/PM-6002-0142-H-1BComputerRelatedPositionsRecission.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2017, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "Issued three weeks BEFORE Executive Order 13788, not after it. Rescinded by PM-602-0142.1 on 2021-02-03 following Innova Solutions v. Baran (9th Cir. Dec. 16, 2020).", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "eo_13788_buy_american_hire_american", "date": "2017-04-18", "effective_date": null, "title": "Buy American and Hire American", "instrument": "Executive Order 13788; 82 FR 18837", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The Executive Order directed the Secretaries of State, Labor, Homeland Security and the Attorney General to propose reforms to ensure H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid beneficiaries and to suggest changes to prevent fraud and abuse in the immigration system.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2017/04/21/2017-08311/buy-american-and-hire-american", "fiscal_year": 2017, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Signed 2017-04-18; published in the Federal Register 2017-04-21.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "uscis_pm_602_0151_deference_rescission_2017", "date": "2017-10-23", "effective_date": null, "title": "Rescission of Guidance Regarding Deference to Prior Determinations of Eligibility in the Adjudication of Petitions for Extension of Nonimmigrant Status", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0151", "affects": [ "H-1B", "L-1", "O-1", "TN", "E-3" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "USCIS rescinded 2004 guidance that had directed officers generally to defer to prior determinations of eligibility when adjudicating extension petitions involving the same parties and facts.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20210427-Deference.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2018, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "The memo's own PDF URL now resolves to a USCIS 'superseded content' page; its exact title and 2017-10-23 issuance date are cited in footnote 2 of USCIS Policy Alert PA-2021-05 (the source_url given). Applies to extension petitions across nonimmigrant classifications, not only H-1B. Reversed by PA-2021-05 on 2021-04-27.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "uscis_pm_602_0157_third_party_worksites_2018", "date": "2018-02-22", "effective_date": null, "title": "Contracts and Itineraries Requirements for H-1B Petitions Involving Third-Party Worksites", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0157", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "USCIS required petitioners placing H-1B workers at third-party worksites to submit contracts, itineraries and other corroborating evidence of specific specialty-occupation work for the requested validity period.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/memos/2018-02-22-PM-602-0157-Contracts-and-Itineraries-Requirements-for-H-1B.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2018, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "Rescinded by PM-602-0114 on 2020-06-17 after the ITServe Alliance v. Cissna settlement.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "proclamation_10014_immigrant_entry_suspension", "date": "2020-04-22", "effective_date": "2020-04-23", "title": "Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak", "instrument": "Proclamation 10014; 85 FR 23441", "affects": [ "Immigrant visas" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation suspended for 60 days the entry of certain immigrants who were outside the United States and did not already hold a valid immigrant visa or travel document.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/04/27/2020-09068/suspension-of-entry-of-immigrants-who-present-a-risk-to-the-united-states-labor-market-during-the", "fiscal_year": 2020, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Effective 11:59 p.m. EDT on 2020-04-23; published 2020-04-27. It restricted immigrant (permanent) entry only - no nonimmigrant work visa classes. Extended to 2020-12-31 by Proclamation 10052 and to 2021-03-31 by Proclamation 10131; revoked by Proclamation 10149 on 2021-02-24.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10043_prc_students_researchers", "date": "2020-05-29", "effective_date": "2020-06-01", "title": "Suspension of Entry as Nonimmigrants of Certain Students and Researchers From the People's Republic of China", "instrument": "Proclamation 10043; 85 FR 34353", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation suspended the entry of PRC nationals seeking F or J visas for graduate study or research who have ties to entities implementing or supporting the PRC's military-civil fusion strategy, excluding undergraduate students.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/04/2020-12217/suspension-of-entry-as-nonimmigrants-of-certain-students-and-researchers-from-the-peoples-republic", "fiscal_year": 2020, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": false, "notes": "Not on the requested list but directly affects the F-1/J-1 series; effective 12:00 p.m. EDT on 2020-06-01 and remains in effect until terminated by the President (no termination found in the Federal Register as of 2026-09-15).", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "uscis_pm_602_0114_rescission_2020", "date": "2020-06-17", "effective_date": "2020-06-17", "title": "Rescission of Policy Memoranda", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0114", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "USCIS rescinded the 2010 employer-employee relationship memorandum and the February 2018 third-party worksite contracts and itineraries memorandum and told officers not to apply them to pending or new H-1B requests.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/memos/PM-602-0114_ITServeMemo.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2020, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "Reverses the February 2018 memo listed above.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10052_nonimmigrant_entry_suspension", "date": "2020-06-22", "effective_date": "2020-06-24", "title": "Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak", "instrument": "Proclamation 10052; 85 FR 38263", "affects": [ "H-1B", "H-2B", "J-1", "L-1" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation suspended entry of aliens outside the United States who did not already hold a valid visa and were seeking entry on H-1B, H-2B, L, or J visas (J limited to intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair and summer work travel programs), together with their accompanying dependents, and extended Proclamation 10014 to December 31, 2020.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/25/2020-13888/suspension-of-entry-of-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-who-present-a-risk-to-the-united-states-labor", "fiscal_year": 2020, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Effective 12:01 a.m. EDT on 2020-06-24; published 2020-06-25. Section 6 set expiry at 2020-12-31.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "proclamation_10054_amendment_to_10052", "date": "2020-06-29", "effective_date": null, "title": "Amendment to Proclamation 10052", "instrument": "Proclamation 10054; 85 FR 40085", "affects": [ "H-1B", "H-2B", "J-1", "L-1" ], "direction": "mixed", "summary": "The proclamation amended section 3(a)(ii) of Proclamation 10052 so that the suspension applied unless the alien held a valid visa of the specific classification under which entry was sought.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/07/02/2020-14510/amendment-to-proclamation-10052", "fiscal_year": 2020, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Technical amendment; minor marker, may be omitted from a chart.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "dol_ifr_wage_levels_2020", "date": "2020-10-08", "effective_date": "2020-10-08", "title": "Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States", "instrument": "85 FR 63872 (interim final rule, DOL/ETA, FR Doc. 2020-22132)", "affects": [ "H-1B", "E-3", "H-1B1", "PERM" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "DOL raised the four prevailing wage levels used for H-1B, H-1B1, E-3 and permanent labor certification, effective on publication without prior notice and comment.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/08/2020-22132/strengthening-wage-protections-for-the-temporary-and-permanent-employment-of-certain-aliens-in-the", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": "This, not the DHS rule, was the wage-level rule. Per DOL (86 FR 70729), the IFR was set aside or enjoined by three district courts on 2020-12-01, 2020-12-03 and 2020-12-14; the successor final rule (86 FR 3608, 2021-01-14) was vacated on 2021-06-23 (N.D. Cal.) and formally withdrawn 2021-12-13.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "dhs_ifr_specialty_occupation_2020", "date": "2020-10-08", "effective_date": "2020-12-07", "title": "Strengthening the H-1B Nonimmigrant Visa Classification Program", "instrument": "85 FR 63918 (interim final rule, DHS/USCIS, FR Doc. 2020-22347)", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "DHS narrowed the regulatory definition of specialty occupation, revised the definitions of United States employer, worksite and third-party worksite, required corroborating evidence of specialty-occupation work, limited third-party placement petitions to one year of validity and codified site-visit authority.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/10/08/2020-22347/strengthening-the-h-1b-nonimmigrant-visa-classification-program", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": "This rule did not change wage levels. It was vacated before its December 7, 2020 effective date and therefore never took effect.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "court_vacatur_2020_h1b_ifrs", "date": "2020-12-01", "effective_date": null, "title": "Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, No. 4:20-cv-07331 (N.D. Cal.)", "instrument": "Court order vacating 85 FR 63918 and 85 FR 63872; implemented at 86 FR 27027 and 86 FR 70729", "affects": [ "H-1B", "E-3", "H-1B1", "PERM" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California vacated the October 2020 DHS specialty-occupation interim final rule and the DOL wage interim final rule on procedural grounds, and DHS announced on December 4, 2020 that it would comply.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/05/19/2021-10489/strengthening-the-h-1b-nonimmigrant-visa-classification-program-implementation-of-vacatur", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "DHS removed the vacated regulatory text on 2021-05-19 (86 FR 27027); DOL removed its vacated text on 2021-12-13 (86 FR 70729).", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10131_extension", "date": "2020-12-31", "effective_date": null, "title": "Suspension of Entry of Immigrants and Nonimmigrants Who Continue To Present a Risk to the United States Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the 2019 Novel Coronavirus Outbreak", "instrument": "Proclamation 10131; 86 FR 417", "affects": [ "H-1B", "H-2B", "J-1", "L-1", "Immigrant visas" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation extended both Proclamation 10014 and Proclamation 10052 through March 31, 2021.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/01/06/2021-00039/suspension-of-entry-of-immigrants-and-nonimmigrants-who-continue-to-present-a-risk-to-the-united", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Signed 2020-12-31; published 2021-01-06.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "uscis_pm_602_0142_1_rescission_2021", "date": "2021-02-03", "effective_date": "2021-02-03", "title": "Rescission of 2017 Policy Memorandum PM-602-0142", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Memorandum PM-602-0142.1", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "USCIS rescinded its 2017 memorandum on H-1B computer-related positions after the Ninth Circuit's decision in Innova Solutions v. Baran.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/memos/PM-602-0142.1_RescissionOfPM-602-0142.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "The memo is dated February 3, 2021; the USCIS alert banner on the rescinded memo states the rescission is effective January 30, 2021.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10149_revoking_10014", "date": "2021-02-24", "effective_date": null, "title": "Revoking Proclamation 10014", "instrument": "Proclamation 10149; 86 FR 11847", "affects": [ "Immigrant visas" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "The proclamation revoked Proclamation 10014 and section 1 of Proclamations 10052 and 10131, ending the immigrant entry suspension.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2021/03/01/2021-04279/revoking-proclamation-10014", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "It did not revoke the nonimmigrant suspension in section 2 of Proclamation 10052.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10052_expiry", "date": "2021-03-31", "effective_date": "2021-03-31", "title": "Expiration of Proclamation 10052 (nonimmigrant entry suspension)", "instrument": "Proclamation 10052, sec. 6, as amended by Proclamation 10131", "affects": [ "H-1B", "H-2B", "J-1", "L-1" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "The suspension of entry of H-1B, H-2B, certain J and L nonimmigrants expired by its own terms on March 31, 2021 and was not extended.", "source_url": "https://j1visa.state.gov/exchange-visitor-program-information-archive/", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "Confirmed by the State Department BridgeUSA archive entry updated 04/01/21: 'Presidential Proclamation 10052 ... expired on March 31, 2021.' No further continuation proclamation appears in the Federal Register.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "uscis_pa_2021_05_deference_restored", "date": "2021-04-27", "effective_date": "2021-04-27", "title": "Deference to Prior Determinations of Eligibility in Requests for Extensions of Petition Validity", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Alert PA-2021-05 (USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2)", "affects": [ "H-1B", "L-1", "O-1", "TN", "E-3" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "USCIS restored, with updates, the 2004 policy of giving deference to prior determinations of eligibility when adjudicating extension requests involving the same parties and facts.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20210427-Deference.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2021, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "Reverses PM-602-0151 (2017-10-23).", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "stem_designated_degree_list_2022", "date": "2022-01-21", "effective_date": "2022-01-21", "title": "Update to the Department of Homeland Security STEM Designated Degree Program List", "instrument": "87 FR 3317 (notice, DHS, FR Doc. 2022-01188)", "affects": [ "F-1", "STEM OPT" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "DHS added 22 fields of study to the STEM Designated Degree Program List used to determine eligibility for the 24-month STEM OPT extension.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/01/21/2022-01188/update-to-the-department-of-homeland-security-stem-designated-degree-program-list", "fiscal_year": 2022, "date_basis": "published", "requested": false, "notes": "Not on the requested list. Further additions: 8 fields on 2023-07-12 (88 FR 44381) and 1 field on 2024-07-23 (89 FR 59748).", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "uscis_pa_2022_03_o1_stem", "date": "2022-01-21", "effective_date": "2022-01-21", "title": "O-1 Nonimmigrant Status for Persons of Extraordinary Ability or Achievement", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Alert PA-2022-03 (USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part M)", "affects": [ "O-1" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "USCIS clarified how it evaluates evidence of extraordinary ability for O-1A petitions, with examples relevant to beneficiaries in STEM fields, and how it determines whether prospective work is in the beneficiary's area of extraordinary ability.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20220121-ExtraordinaryAbility.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2022, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "One of only two substantive O-1 actions found in primary sources for 2017-2025.", "charted": true, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "h1b_registration_beneficiary_centric_2024", "date": "2024-02-02", "effective_date": "2024-03-04", "title": "Improving the H-1B Registration Selection Process and Program Integrity", "instrument": "89 FR 7456 (final rule, DHS/USCIS, FR Doc. 2024-01770)", "affects": [ "H-1B", "F-1" ], "direction": "mixed", "summary": "DHS moved H-1B cap selection to a beneficiary-centric process in which each unique beneficiary is entered once regardless of how many registrations are filed, added passport/travel-document and attestation integrity requirements, and allowed certain cap-subject petitions to request a start date after October 1 of the relevant fiscal year.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/02/02/2024-01770/improving-the-h-1b-registration-selection-process-and-program-integrity", "fiscal_year": 2024, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": "First used for the FY 2025 cap season: registration opened at noon ET 2024-03-06, was scheduled to close 2024-03-22, and was extended to noon ET 2024-03-25 after a system outage (USCIS alert dated 2024-03-21).", "charted": true, "chart_marker": true }, { "id": "h1b_modernization_final_rule_2024", "date": "2024-12-18", "effective_date": "2025-01-17", "title": "Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing Flexibility in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers", "instrument": "89 FR 103054 (final rule, DHS/USCIS, FR Doc. 2024-29354)", "affects": [ "H-1B", "F-1", "OPT", "CPT" ], "direction": "mixed", "summary": "DHS revised the specialty occupation criteria, codified deference to prior determinations, extended F-1 cap-gap work authorization to April 1 of the following fiscal year, and made related changes affecting H-1B and other nonimmigrant worker petitions.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2024/12/18/2024-29354/modernizing-h-1b-requirements-providing-flexibility-in-the-f-1-program-and-program-improvements", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "published", "requested": false, "notes": "Not on the requested list; included because it is the main H-1B/F-1 regulatory action of FY 2025. Proposed rule published 2023-10-23 at 88 FR 72870.", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "uscis_pa_2025_02_o1_evidence", "date": "2025-01-08", "effective_date": "2025-01-08", "title": "Evidentiary Requirements for O-1 Nonimmigrants", "instrument": "USCIS Policy Alert PA-2025-02 (USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 2, Part M)", "affects": [ "O-1" ], "direction": "expands", "summary": "USCIS added examples of qualifying evidence for O-1A beneficiaries, including those working in critical and emerging technologies, following the October 30, 2023 Executive Order on artificial intelligence.", "source_url": "https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/policy-manual-updates/20250108-ExtraordinaryAbility.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": null, "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "sevp_termination_policy_broadcast_2025", "date": "2025-04-26", "effective_date": null, "title": "SEVIS Notice - Policy Regarding Termination of Records (SEVP Broadcast Message)", "instrument": "ICE/SEVP broadcast message, April 26, 2025", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1", "OPT" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "SEVP set out the bases on which it may terminate SEVIS records, including failure to comply with the terms of nonimmigrant status and a State Department visa revocation with immediate effect, stating that a record may be terminated on the revocation basis only after SEVP confirms the revocation.", "source_url": "https://www.ice.gov/doclib/foia/policy/SEVISNotice_PolicyRegardingTerminationRecords.pdf", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "This is the only primary-source document found for the spring 2025 SEVIS episode. The mass terminations themselves (March-April 2025) and their reversal (announced by government counsel in litigation on or about 2025-04-25) are NOT documented by any dated announcement on ice.gov, dhs.gov, uscis.gov or state.gov that could be located.", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10948_harvard", "date": "2025-06-04", "effective_date": "2025-06-04", "title": "Enhancing National Security by Addressing Risks at Harvard University", "instrument": "Proclamation 10948; 90 FR 24493", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation suspended for six months the entry of aliens coming to begin study at Harvard University under F or M classification or to participate in a Harvard-hosted J exchange visitor program, and directed the Secretary of State to consider revoking existing F, M and J visas of covered current Harvard students.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/10/2025-10668/enhancing-national-security-by-addressing-risks-at-harvard-university", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Signed 2025-06-04, published 2025-06-10; expires absent extension six months after the date of the proclamation. No extension was found in the Federal Register. Its enforcement was subject to litigation in the District of Massachusetts (not verifiable from the permitted primary-source domains).", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10949_country_entry_restrictions", "date": "2025-06-04", "effective_date": "2025-06-09", "title": "Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats", "instrument": "Proclamation 10949; 90 FR 24497", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1", "H-1B", "L-1", "O-1", "Immigrant visas" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation fully suspended immigrant and nonimmigrant entry of nationals of 12 countries and partially suspended entry (including B, F, M and J visas) of nationals of 7 further countries.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/06/10/2025-10669/restricting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-united-states-from-foreign-terrorists-and", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Effective 12:01 a.m. EDT 2025-06-09. Country-scoped, not class-scoped: the fully suspended countries cover all visa classes; the partially suspended countries cover B-1/B-2, F, M and J.", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "state_expanded_vetting_f_m_j_2025", "date": "2025-06-18", "effective_date": null, "title": "Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants", "instrument": "U.S. Department of State media note, Office of the Spokesperson, June 18, 2025", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The State Department announced comprehensive vetting, including of online presence, for all F, M and J visa applicants, instructed those applicants to set their social media profiles to public, and said posts would resume scheduling F, M and J appointments.", "source_url": "https://www.state.gov/releases/office-of-the-spokesperson/2025/06/announcement-of-expanded-screening-and-vetting-for-visa-applicants", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "issued", "requested": true, "notes": "The preceding pause in F, M and J interview scheduling (late May 2025) is implied by this media note but no dated primary announcement of the pause itself was found on state.gov.", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "duration_of_status_nprm_2025", "date": "2025-08-28", "effective_date": null, "title": "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media", "instrument": "90 FR 42070 (notice of proposed rulemaking, DHS/ICE, RIN 1653-AA95)", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "DHS proposed to replace duration-of-status admission for F, J and I nonimmigrants with admission for a fixed period and to require extension-of-stay applications.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/08/28/2025-16554/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": "Comment period closed 2025-09-29. Finalized 2026-07-17 (see duration_of_status_final_rule_2026).", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10973_h1b_100k_payment", "date": "2025-09-19", "effective_date": "2025-09-21", "title": "Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers", "instrument": "Proclamation 10973; 90 FR 46027", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation restricted for 12 months the entry of H-1B specialty occupation workers unless the petition is accompanied or supplemented by a $100,000 payment, subject to national-interest exceptions, and directed DOL and DHS rulemaking on prevailing wages and on prioritising higher-paid workers.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/24/2025-18601/restriction-on-entry-of-certain-nonimmigrant-workers", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Signed 2025-09-19, effective 12:01 a.m. EDT 2025-09-21, published 2025-09-24; expires absent extension 12 months after the effective date (2026-09-21). USCIS guidance dated 2025-09-20 states it applies only to H-1B petitions filed after the effective date and not to existing petitions, approved petitions or valid visa holders. On 2026-06-08 the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts (State of California v. Mullin, 1:25-cv-13829) vacated the agency guidance implementing the payment; the First Circuit denied a stay on 2026-07-24 and DHS said it would comply (USCIS alert, last updated 2026-06-15).", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "h1b_weighted_selection_nprm_2025", "date": "2025-09-24", "effective_date": null, "title": "Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions", "instrument": "90 FR 45986 (notice of proposed rulemaking, DHS/USCIS, RIN 1615-AD01)", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "DHS proposed to replace the random H-1B cap selection with a weighted selection favouring registrations at higher OES wage levels.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/09/24/2025-18473/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b", "fiscal_year": 2025, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": null, "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "proclamation_10998_expanded_country_restrictions", "date": "2025-12-16", "effective_date": "2026-01-01", "title": "Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States", "instrument": "Proclamation 10998; 90 FR 59717", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1", "H-1B", "L-1", "O-1", "Immigrant visas" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "The proclamation restricted and limited the entry of nationals of additional countries, expanding the country-based suspensions imposed by Proclamation 10949.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/19/2025-23570/restricting-and-limiting-the-entry-of-foreign-nationals-to-protect-the-security-of-the-united-states", "fiscal_year": 2026, "date_basis": "signed", "requested": true, "notes": "Signed 2025-12-16, effective 12:01 a.m. EST 2026-01-01, published 2025-12-19. Country-scoped rather than class-scoped.", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "h1b_weighted_selection_final_rule_2025", "date": "2025-12-29", "effective_date": "2026-02-27", "title": "Weighted Selection Process for Registrants and Petitioners Seeking To File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions", "instrument": "90 FR 60864 (final rule, DHS/USCIS, RIN 1615-AD01)", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "DHS finalised, without changes to the proposed regulatory text, a weighted H-1B cap selection process favouring registrations at higher wage levels, applying to registrations submitted on or after the effective date.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/12/29/2025-23853/weighted-selection-process-for-registrants-and-petitioners-seeking-to-file-cap-subject-h-1b", "fiscal_year": 2026, "date_basis": "published", "requested": true, "notes": "The rule states it will be effective in time for the FY 2027 registration season (March 2026).", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "duration_of_status_final_rule_2026", "date": "2026-07-17", "effective_date": "2026-09-15", "title": "Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission and an Extension of Stay Procedure for Nonimmigrant Academic Students, Exchange Visitors, and Representatives of Foreign Information Media", "instrument": "91 FR 44976 (final rule, DHS/ICE, RIN 1653-AA95)", "affects": [ "F-1", "J-1" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "DHS replaced duration-of-status admission for F, J and I nonimmigrants with admission for a fixed period set by programme length and capped at four years, with extensions of stay required thereafter.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/07/17/2026-14439/establishing-a-fixed-time-period-of-admission-and-an-extension-of-stay-procedure-for-nonimmigrant", "fiscal_year": 2026, "date_basis": "published", "requested": false, "notes": "Outside the FY 2007-2024 chart window; included because it is the outcome of the 2025 duration-of-status proposal. Classified as a major rule subject to congressional review; DHS said it would publish a document if the effective date changed - none found as of 2026-09-15.", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false }, { "id": "h1b_cap_fee_nprm_2026", "date": "2026-08-25", "effective_date": null, "title": "Fee for Certain H-1B Petitions", "instrument": "91 FR 54817 (notice of proposed rulemaking, DHS/USCIS, RIN 1615-AD20)", "affects": [ "H-1B" ], "direction": "restricts", "summary": "DHS proposed a $103,265 fee payable at filing for all H-1B cap-subject petitions, in addition to all other fees.", "source_url": "https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/25/2026-17324/fee-for-certain-h-1b-petitions", "fiscal_year": 2026, "date_basis": "published", "requested": false, "notes": "Outside the requested window; included because it is the follow-on to Proclamation 10973. The NPRM states this proposed fee is separate from, and rests on different authority than, the $100,000 payment required by Proclamation 10973. A correction was published 2026-09-10 (91 FR 57516).", "charted": false, "chart_marker": false } ] }