November 2025 Immigration Bulletin

Index

• Why Is the DV Lottery Delayed This Year?
• Marriage-Based Green Card Approvals Are Moving Faster Than Ever
• November 2025 Visa Bulletin - Key Highlights
• A New Era in Green Card Interviews: Small Details Now Raise Big Questions
• USCIS Clarifies Who Must Pay the $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas
• Increased Screening at U.S. Ports of Entry: Expedited Removal Orders on the Rise
• DHS Proposes Major Fee Cuts for EB-5 Investor Visas: A Rare Opportunity for Investors
• U.S. Will Photograph All Foreign Travelers Starting December 2025
• USCIS Ends 540-Day Automatic Extension for EAD Renewals

Several U.S. immigration updates from last month will take effect as November begins. Some of these changes, such as the delayed Green Card Lottery and the new rules for both family- and employment-based applications, may directly affect immigrants, their families, and their employers in the coming weeks.

Why Is the DV Lottery Delayed This Year?

The DV-2027 Green Card Lottery application period has not yet begun. In the November 2025 Visa Bulletin, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) stated the following:

"The registration period for the DV-2027 program will be announced in the coming months."

Although registration has historically opened during the first week of October, the specific dates for 2025 have not yet been published.

Another noteworthy change is the implementation of a $1 electronic registration fee this year. The exact reason hasn’t been confirmed, but many believe the delay is linked to the technical updates needed to implement the new fee.

Once the application dates are announced, the notice will be published on the official DV Program website.

When Will the DV-2027 Registration Dates Be Announced?

Not yet. The U.S. Department of State has stated that the registration period for the DV-2027 program will be announced in the coming months. Once confirmed, the official dates will be published on the program’s website.

When Does the DV-2027 Green Card Lottery Start?

In past years, the registration period opened in the first week of October but this year’s timeline has been delayed. The official start and end dates have not been shared yet.

Marriage-Based Green Card Approvals Are Moving Faster Than Ever

Over the past few months, marriage-based Green Card applications have been moving noticeably quicker.  Many applicants report that their Green Card application through marriage to a U.S. citizen was finalized within 2-3 months.

This improvement is largely linked to the "unlimited overtime" policy introduced under the Trump administration, which allows USCIS officers to work extra hours when needed to review more cases.

The stated goal is to spot sham marriage applications early while avoiding delays for genuine (bona fide) marriage-based applications.

This practice is still in effect, and although processing times vary depending on the state where the application is filed, office workload, and individual file conditions, it has noticeably accelerated the marriage-based Green Card process compared to the Biden era.

If you’re married to a U.S. citizen and want to learn more about how the process works, explore our detailed guide: How Do I Apply for a Green Card by Marrying a U.S. Citizen in the USA and start your journey with our experienced marriage based green card attorney, we can help you get approved!

November 2025 Visa Bulletin - Key Highlights

The November 2025 Visa Bulletin brings a calm and steady month for U.S. immigration applicants.

Employment-Based (EB) Categories: No Movement This Month

• All employment-based Green Card categories (EB-1, EB-2, EB-3, EB-5) remain unchanged from October.
• USCIS continues to use the Dates for Filing chart for accepting applications this month. This allows applicants already in the U.S. to file Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status/green card application) earlier and get their work and travel authorization while waiting for their approval.

• It is also worth to mention that the EB-2 category still benefits from last month’s significant advancement: applicants with a priority date of July 15, 2024 or earlier can continue to file their green card form. 

• For EB-5 applicants from China, both categories remain unchanged this month. The Unreserved Final Action Date stays at December 8, 2015, showing no movement from last month, while the Set-Aside categories remain current (C).

Family-Based (FB) Categories: Modest but Positive Movement

• The F-2A category moved forward by one month, from September 22, 2025 to October 22, 2025.
• The F-2B category (unmarried adult children of Green Card holders) advanced by about two months, from January 1, 2017 to March 8, 2017.
• There were no retrogressions in any category.
• Overall, November remains a stable and transitional month, and more visible forward movement is expected between December and March.

For detailed chart comparisons, category analyses, and commentary, read our full report: November 2025 Visa Bulletin

A New Era in Green Card Interviews: Small Details Now Raise Big Questions

Recently, applicants have noticed a clear shift in how USCIS approaches Green Card interviews. 

Even minor inconsistencies, such as a short gap in school records, a slight difference in wording, or a new medical report, can now raise serious concerns for both marriage-based and asylum-based applications.

USCIS officers are applying a noticeably stricter and more cautious approach following recent policy updates.

• In one case, a marriage-based applicant who was married to a U.S. citizen and had a child with them was questioned about changing schools shortly after arriving in the U.S. on a student visa. Although there was no status violation, the officer suggested possible fraud, which created unnecessary tension during the interview.

This shows that USCIS is no longer focused only on sham marriages, but is also looking for other types of inconsistencies that could be treated as potential fraud.

• Similarly, an asylum-based applicant had been waiting 16 months for a Green Card decision before filing a mandamus lawsuit in federal court. After the lawsuit was approved, the applicant was finally called for an interview but was unexpectedly questioned about their medical examination. The officer showed them photos of the designated civil surgeons in Arizona and asked which doctor had issued the report. This is an indication of how much deeper the vetting process has become.

This reflects the updated "screening and vetting standards" referenced in the USCIS Policy Manual, which means closer scrutiny of eligibility, identity, and background information.

For marriage-based applicants, on the other hand, the Policy Manual highlights increased scrutiny during interviews, the need to submit a complete evidence package, and the requirement for an in-person interview.

Important: 

The interview stage is no longer just a formality. Officers are now expected to thoroughly investigate applicants’ histories, prior statuses, and supporting documents.

Strategic preparation can make all the difference. Couples should review their timelines and documents together before the interview. Asylum applicants should ensure that every part of their file is updated and complete. In today's context, small details can result in significant delays or even denial.

For more preparation tips and interview strategies, read our full guide: How to Prepare for the Marriage-Based Green Card Interview: A 2025 Guide

USCIS Clarifies Who Must Pay the $100,000 Fee for H-1B Visas

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released new guidance explaining who must pay the new $100,000 H-1B visa fee, which applies to petitions filed on or after September 21, 2025.

You do not need to pay the $100,000 fee if:

• You already hold H-1B status or your petition was approved before September 21.

• You are applying for a change of status from America. This could be from F-1 or B-2 to H-1B.

• You are filing an amendment due to a change in job role or work location while maintaining valid H-1B status.

The fee applies if you are filing a new H1B petition from outside the United States and your case will be processed through a U.S. consulate abroad.

This rule gives a clear advantage to students and skilled workers already in the U.S. who are planning to change their status to H-1B status. For now, the new payment appears to affect only those applying from outside the country through the consular process.

USCIS has also stated that certain employers may request a National Interest Exception (NIE) to waive the $100,000 payment. To qualify, employers must demonstrate that:

• The foreign worker’s presence in the U.S. serves a national interest.

• The position cannot be filled by a U.S. worker.

• The employee's work does not pose a threat to U.S. security or welfare.

• Requiring payment would cause significant harm to U.S. economic interests.

If all criteria are met, DHS or USCIS may approve the NIE request, allowing the employer to bypass the fee.

Payment details for the H1B visa fee are as follows:

• The payment must be made before submitting the H-1B petition to USCIS.

• Employers should pay through the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s portal.

• Proof of payment or an approved fee-exemption document must be included with the petition.

• USCIS may deny petitions that are submitted without valid proof of payment.

• If a petition is denied for other reasons, the $100,000 payment will be refunded to the employer. 

Increased Screening at U.S. Ports of Entry: Expedited Removal Orders on the Rise

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers have recently increased inspections at ports of entry, particularly for travelers with work visas, such as H-1B or L-1 visas.

Officers are searching phones and laptops, questioning visa holders for hours, and, in some cases, reviewing their social media accounts and emails.

When an ERO is issued, the traveler is denied entry to the United States, their visa stamp is canceled, and they are banned from reentering the country for five years. A special waiver is required to lift this five-year ban and it can be difficult and time-consuming to get.

What H-1B and L Visa Holders Should Know Before Entering the U.S.

This means that even casual conversations or shared CVs sent to other companies could be reviewed and misinterpreted during inspection. 

Travelers have been placed in expedited removal proceedings based on alleged misrepresentation related to such digital evidence.

Exploring new job opportunities does not violate your visa, but knowing that officers may have the wrong idea about your intentions can help you prepare and avoid unnecessary complications at the border.

If You Receive an Expedited Removal Order at a Port of Entry

If you are ever issued an ERO, you should keep all documents provided by CBP and request copies if necessary. You must also carefully review the documents to ensure there are no factual errors or inaccurate statements.

We recommend contacting an immigration attorney as soon as possible.

In many cases, you may be able to request a change to your expedited removal order, turning it into a "Withdrawal of Application for Admission." This allows you to voluntarily withdraw your entry request and leave the U.S. without facing a reentry ban.

DHS Proposes Major Fee Cuts for EB-5 Investor Visas: A Rare Opportunity for Investors

In a surprising move at a time when most immigration fees are increasing, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a significant reduction in EB-5 investor visa fees.

If the proposal is finalized, the filing fee for an EB-5 petition would be $9,625. The fee for Form I-829, which is used to remove conditions and obtain a permanent 10-year green card, would be $7,860.

Investors participating through regional centers could see reductions of up to 60% in certain filing categories.

DHS also aims to shorten adjudication times, targeting 240 days for regional center filings and 180 days for new regional center designations.

These fee changes are still in the proposal stage. Public comments will remain open until December 22, 2025, and DHS is expected to implement the final rule sometime in 2026.

There are no changes to minimum investment amounts: The thresholds remain at $800,000 for regional center projects and $1.05 million for standard investments.

Even so, if approved, this proposal would make the EB-5 program more attractive to global investors, especially at a time when other immigration filing costs continue to rise.

To learn more about the EB-5 program and explore investment opportunities in the United States with our team, read our latest guide: EB-5 Investor Visa Guide - Investment Requirements, Process, and Timelines

U.S. Will Photograph All Foreign Travelers Starting December 2025

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that starting December 26 2025, all non-U.S. citizens will have their photos taken upon entry and exit from the country.

This new rule applies to green card and visa holders alike and aims to make border crossings safer and more transparent, reduce visa overstays, and prevent the use of fake documents.

According to the notice published in the Federal Register, the requirement will apply at airports, land borders, and seaports across the nation as part of a broader shift to a mandatory biometric “entry-exit” system.

USCIS Ends 540-Day Automatic Extension for EAD Renewals

USCIS has announced that it will end the 540-day automatic extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) that many foreign nationals have relied on to keep working while their renewals are pending.

The change, issued through an interim final rule (IFR), applies to certain renewal applications filed on or after October 30, 2025. EADs that were automatically extended before this date will not be affected.

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the new rule removes the 540-day extension for the following categories:

• Adjustment of Status applicants (C09)

• Refugees and Asylees (A3, A5)

• Individuals with pending asylum applications (C08)

• Approved self-petitioners under the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA)

• H-4 spouses

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders

USCIS clarified that L-2 and E-2 spouses are authorized to work incident to status, meaning their work authorization remains valid as long as their nonimmigrant status is active, even if their EAD card expires.

F-1 students applying for a STEM OPT extension are not affected by this rule and will continue to receive the standard 180-day automatic extension.

Under the new rule, affected applicants will no longer receive automatic work authorization after their EAD expires. Their employment authorization will end the day after their card expires and will only resume when a new EAD is issued, unless they have another basis for work authorization.

Important: Foreign nationals, especially green card applicants and H-4 EAD holders, should file renewal applications as early as possible to avoid gaps in employment authorization. Although EAD renewals can typically be filed up to six months before expiration, processing times often exceed this window, so early filing is critical.

U.S. immigration laws and policies change all the time.

That’s why we regularly update our blog posts and visa guides to help you plan your process the right way.

We can assist you with matters related to Green Cards, work visas, investment in the U.S. and asylum cases.

If you have questions about your immigration process, we’re here to help. Contact us anytime.