October 2025 Immigration Bulletin: Latest Visa, Green Card, and USCIS News

Index

• October 2025 Visa Bulletin Released
• Additional Fee for H-1B Petitions: $100,000
• Gold Card and Platinum Card Proposals
• DV-2027 Green Card Lottery: New $1 Registration Fee
• U.S. Makes Interview Location Mandatory for Immigrant Visas, Green Card & DV Lottery
• No More Third-Country Appointments for U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas
• No Bond Hearings for Undocumented Immigrants, BIA Rules
• Pentagon to Assign 600 Military Lawyers as Immigration Judges
• New Naturalization Civics Test Takes Effect
• USCIS Granted Expanded Law Enforcement Powers
• A New Era in Immigration Applications

Several immigration policy changes announced in September 2025 will take effect in October, directly impacting applicants in the months ahead.

The first Visa Bulletin of the new fiscal year has been released, and a $100,000 additional fee for H-1B petitions has been introduced. A new $1 entry fee for the DV Lottery has gone into effect, and the administration has unveiled the Gold Card and Platinum Card programs.

Other major developments include new consular interview requirements, the Board of Immigration Appeals' (BIA) no-bond decision, the revised naturalization civics test, and expanded U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) enforcement powers.

This article compiles all the key September announcements that will shape the immigration landscape starting in October 2025.

October 2025 Visa Bulletin Released

The Department of State has published the first Visa Bulletin of fiscal year 2026. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) confirmed that all applicants must use the Dates for Filing chart in October, meaning thousands can submit Form I-485 earlier than expected.

• Family-Based (Dates for Filing): F2A advanced by about 3.5 months for all countries (to September 22, 2025). Other categories, such as F1 and F2B for Mexico and the Philippines, also advanced several months.
• Employment-Based (Dates for Filing): EB-2 worldwide advanced eight months (to July 15, 2024). EB-3 advanced by one year and two months for India and by one year and five months for China.
• Employment-Based (Final Action): EB-5 for India moved forward by 15 months (to February 1, 2021).

Read the details in our full guide: October 2025 Visa Bulletin Explained

Additional Fee for H-1B Petitions: $100,000

Starting September 21, 2025, all new H-1B petitions will require an additional $100,000 filing fee. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also announced plans to implement a weighted lottery system for the H-1B cap.

These changes are part of the DHS's broader Project Firewall initiative, which aims to tighten oversight and reshape employment-based immigration rules.

Read the full update here: New $100,000 H-1B Fee Requirement

Gold Card and Platinum Card Proposals

The Trump administration has introduced plans to grant U.S. permanent residency (Green Card), in exchange for large contributions. The “Gold Card” proposal requires a $1 million donation, while the “Platinum Card” proposal requires $5 million and offers broader benefits.

Read the full article: Trump’s Gold Card Program Officially Launched

DV-2027 Green Card Lottery: New $1 Registration Fee

• Starting September 16, 2025, all Diversity Visa (DV) lottery applicants must pay a $1 registration fee.
• This change will distribute administrative costs across all entrants rather than placing the full burden on the winners.
• The existing $330 visa processing fee for selected applicants will remain unchanged.
• The new $1 fee will be collected electronically at the time of registration and will be non-refundable.

Officials also expect this measure to reduce speculative or fraudulent entries and improve the program's efficiency.

Official Source: Federal Register - Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (Sept. 16, 2025)

U.S. Makes Interview Location Mandatory for Immigrant Visas, Green Card & DV Lottery

According to an announcement by the U.S. Department of State dated August 28, 2025, beginning November 1, 2025, all immigrant visa applicants, including those applying through family or employment sponsorship and Diversity Visa (DV) lottery winners, must attend their visa interviews at the U.S. consulate in their country of residence or, if requested, their country of nationality.

• DV-2026 winners will also be subject to this rule.
• Existing interview appointments will generally remain valid, but new cases will be scheduled under this system.
• Exceptions will apply only in cases involving humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy considerations.
• The previous flexibility to choose a third-country consulate to speed up the process has largely been eliminated.

Official Source: U.S. Department of State Announcement - August 28, 2025

No More Third-Country Appointments for U.S. Nonimmigrant Visas

On September 6, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that all nonimmigrant visa interviews, including those for B1/B2, F, J, I, O-1, L-1, and E-1/E-2 visas, must be held at the U.S. consulate in the applicant’s country of residence or nationality.

• The option of scheduling an interview in a third country has largely been eliminated.
• Existing appointments remain valid, but all new applications must follow this rule.
• Exceptions will be granted only for humanitarian, medical, or foreign policy reasons.

Official Source: U.S. Department of State Announcement - September 6, 2025

No Bond Hearings for Undocumented Immigrants, BIA Rules

On September 5, 2025, the Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) issued its decision in the case of Matter of Yajure Hurtado. The BIA ruled that individuals who entered the U.S. without authorization are no longer eligible to request bond hearings before immigration judges.

This effectively strips immigration judges of their authority to set bond for this group. Consequently, the risk of prolonged detention has significantly increased, even for individuals who have lived in the U.S. for decades

The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) strongly criticized the decision, noting that federal courts have previously rejected this interpretation and predicting that the issue will be litigated again.

Legal experts warn that the ruling will undermine the role of immigration courts, flood federal courts with habeas corpus petitions challenging unlawful detention, and benefit private prison companies while harming American families and communities.

Pentagon to Assign 600 Military Lawyers as Immigration Judges

With the approval of U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, the Pentagon will temporarily assign 600 military lawyers to serve as immigration judges under the authority of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

The initial assignment period is 179 days, with the possibility of extension.

However, legal experts warn that the lack of experience in immigration law among these military lawyers could threaten fair adjudication.

Several senators have also raised concerns that this move may violate the Posse Comitatus Act, which restricts the use of military personnel in civilian law enforcement roles.

Officials justify the decision as a way to relieve pressure on the immigration court system, which currently has a backlog of millions of cases.

Source: AP News
(An official government statement has not yet been released. This section will be updated once one is available.)

New Naturalization Civics Test Takes Effect

A major update has been announced for those applying for U.S. citizenship. According to the official Federal Register notice, the new test will take effect on October 20, 2025.

Key details include:

• The new test is a revised version of the 2020 format.
• A pool of 128 questions has been prepared, and applicants will be asked 20 random questions.
• A passing score requires 12 correct answers.
• The test ends once the applicant reaches 12 correct answers or 9 incorrect answers.
• The English language section of the test (reading, writing, and speaking) remains unchanged.

Transition timeline:

• Applications filed before October 20, 2025: Applicants will take the current 2008 Naturalization Civics Test.
• Applications filed on or after October 20, 2025: Applicants must take the 2025 Civics Test.
• Applicants who are 65 years old or older and have held a green card for at least 20 years continue to qualify for the simplified version of the test, which consists of 10 questions and requires a score of at least 6 correct answers.

According to USCIS, the 2025 test will be more comprehensive, standardized, and fair. It is designed to better assess applicants’ knowledge of U.S. history, government, and civic responsibilities.

Additionally, USCIS is tightening oversight of naturalization cases:

• There will be stricter review of exemptions and waivers.
• USCIS will resume neighborhood investigations to verify applicants’ eligibility
• Expanded security checks,
• A broader evaluation of good moral character will be conducted, including positive community contributions.
• There will be zero tolerance for unlawful voting or false claims to U.S. citizenship.

Offcial Source: Federal Register - Notice of Implementation of 2025 Naturalization Civics Test

USCIS Granted Expanded Law Enforcement Powers

As of September 6, 2025, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) was granted the broadest law enforcement authority in its history. Newly designated 1811-class officers (special agents) will operate with the same powers as fully authorized federal law enforcement agents.

According to the final rule published in the Federal Register, USCIS officers are now authorized to carry firearms, make arrests, execute search and arrest warrants, and conduct immigration fraud investigations from start to finish.

Official Sources:

Federal Register: Codification of Certain USCIS Law Enforcement Authorities

USCIS press release (September 4, 2025)

USCIS Director Joseph B. Edlow called this a "historic milestone," emphasizing the importance of direct enforcement powers in combating immigration fraud.

With this change, USCIS is no longer just an administrative body processing applications. It is transforming into a law enforcement agency with direct jurisdiction over cases involving fraud, national security, and public safety.

Many cases that were previously referred to the ICE Homeland Security Investigations unit will now be handled directly by USCIS.

A New Era in Immigration Applications

The expanded powers granted to USCIS represent a significant change in the immigration landscape. 

USCIS is no longer just an administrative agency. It now has direct enforcement authority. These developments make it more important than ever for applicants to proceed carefully and seek professional guidance throughout the process. 

At Gozel Law, we closely follow changes to U.S. immigration policy. Contact us today to confidently navigate your immigration journey.

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