🗞️ This Week in USCIS — Week 21, 2025
A real-talk summary of this week’s immigration updates that founders actually care about. (May 17–23, 2025)
1. H-1B Registrations Drop by 25%—Good or Bad?
USCIS just revealed that total H-1B registrations for FY-2026 dropped to 358,737 from last year's 474k. Why the dive? Probably a mix of USCIS tightening the screws on duplicate filings and that new $215 per-beneficiary registration fee. Only 120,141 got lucky, keeping selection odds around 33%.
My take: Slightly better odds for genuine startup founders—but the higher fees still pinch hard if you're bootstrapping your business.
2. June Visa Bulletin: EB-2 ROW Jumps, EB-4 Stuck at "Unavailable"
The latest visa bulletin is out, and it nudged EB-2 All Chargeability ahead by four months (now at 15 Oct 2023). Unfortunately, no love for India (01 Jan 2013) or China (01 Dec 2020), and EB-4 remains completely unavailable.
Why it matters: Good news if you're from anywhere but India or China—faster adjustment filings mean quicker EAD/AP cards, giving founders more flexibility during the long wait.
3. USCIS Modernizes the SAVE Database (Finally!)
USCIS has combined its scattered data systems into a unified national SAVE platform. This means quicker, smoother verification of your immigration status when renewing a driver’s license or professional licenses.
Bottom line: Less bureaucratic downtime means more time building your startup.
4. Could Domestic Visa Stamp Renewals Become Permanent?
Congressional reps Khanna, Subramanyam, and Krishnamoorthi are urging USCIS to expand and make last year’s pilot program for domestic visa stamp renewals permanent.
Founder’s dream scenario: No more stressful overseas visa stamping trips in the middle of a critical fundraise.
5. 540-Day Automatic EAD Extensions Officially Rolling Out
DHS’s rule for 540-day automatic EAD extensions is now fully operational, and the first batch of renewals since the Jan 2025 rollout are already in.
Pro tip: Renew your I-765 up to six months before expiration to keep payroll running smoothly and focus on growing your venture instead of visa anxiety.
Personal note: This June, I've set aside 5–10 coaching slots specifically for fellow immigrant founders navigating the complexities of the H-1B and green card processes. these sessions are tailored for high-impact guidance—if you think targeted support could significantly move the needle for you, reach out and let's connect.
Too busy building to read the whole thing? Here’s the TL;DR: H-1B registrations down, EB-2 ROW moves forward, SAVE gets upgraded, domestic visa renewals could stick around, and extended EAD renewals are officially smooth sailing.
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