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29 Sep 2026
duration of status injunction

US Court Blocks Rule Ending Duration of Status for Students

Categories Immigration, Study Abroad, Visa Updates

In this article

A federal judge has blocked the Department of Homeland Security rule that would have ended “duration of status” for international students, keeping the current open-ended admission system in place across the United States. The ruling, issued on 14 September 2026, means F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and I-visa journalists keep their existing status rules while the litigation continues.

What the judge decided

According to Fayad Law’s summary, Judge F. Dennis Saylor IV of the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction. The rule had been due to take effect on 15 September 2026. The court found DHS “likely failed to conduct reasoned analysis” of the costs and benefits and did not adequately address roughly 22,000 public comments, the same summary reports. The Cyrus D. Mehta & Partners immigration update of 28 September also flags related developments in the same policy area.

What the blocked rule would have done

Under duration of status, students are admitted for as long as they maintain a full course of study rather than for a fixed date. The blocked rule would have replaced that with a four-year maximum admission period, cut the F-1 grace period after a program ends from 60 to 30 days, restricted second programs at the same or a lower educational level, and limited graduate-level transfers and program changes. It would also have capped I-visa holders at 240 days. A law-firm analysis notes that separate restrictions on curricular practical training remain in place even with the injunction, so students should read the details of their own situation rather than assume everything reverted (Global Immigration Blog).

What it means for a student

Take an illustrative case: an engineering master’s student from India in her second year. Under the blocked rule she would have needed to apply for an extension if her studies ran past a fixed end date, and she would have had half as long to leave or change status after finishing. With the injunction, her planning stays as it was. That is a reprieve rather than a settlement, because a preliminary injunction can be narrowed, appealed or overturned. Applicants for the next intake face similar uncertainty, and the wider US student-visa picture also includes the H-1B fee extension that shapes post-study work plans. Students weighing other destinations can read our Canada study permit funds explainer, and you can test your own profile with the visa eligibility checker.

What happens next

Fayad Law reports a status conference scheduled for 2 October 2026. Government lawyers may seek to narrow or appeal the injunction, and DHS could reissue the rule with a fuller explanation. Until then, existing rules apply. Check your Form I-20 and speak with your school’s designated school official before making travel or enrolment changes. Background on the dispute is tracked by NAFSA.

Common questions

Can I still stay in the US for the duration of my program?

Yes. The nationwide injunction keeps the existing duration-of-status framework in place while the case continues.

Was the 30-day grace period cut?

The blocked rule would have cut the F-1 grace period from 60 to 30 days. Because the rule is blocked, the current period stays in force for now.

Does the ruling affect J-1 and journalist visas?

The injunction covers the rule as it applied to F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and I-visa journalists.

What happens next in the case?

A status conference is scheduled for 2 October 2026, according to Fayad Law’s summary of the ruling.

Should I change my travel or study plans?

Talk to your school’s international office or an immigration attorney. The injunction is preliminary and can change.

28 Sep 2026

UAE Golden Visa 2026: What Actually Changed

Categories Immigration, UAE

The UAE’s Golden Visa program looks fundamentally different in 2026 than it did just two years ago, having expanded from a scheme built almost entirely around large investors into one that now welcomes nurses, teachers, e-sports professionals and even high-achieving high school graduates — alongside a string of technical changes that make the investor and property routes noticeably easier to qualify for.

The property rule that mattered most just changed

Effective February 2026, the UAE eliminated its requirement that Golden Visa applicants pay 50% of a qualifying property’s value upfront, according to Middle East Briefing’s coverage of the reforms. Mortgaged and off-plan properties now count toward eligibility, provided the title deed reaches the AED 2 million threshold and the financing bank issues a no-objection certificate. That single change opens the real-estate route to a much larger pool of buyers who previously needed to pay most of a property’s value in cash to qualify.

New professions, new routes in

The 2026 reforms also widened who counts as eligible talent. According to DU Digital Global’s summary of the updated framework, newly recognized categories include skilled professionals in artificial intelligence, software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, healthcare, finance and education, alongside entrepreneurs running an established startup or innovative venture, researchers with published peer-reviewed work, creative professionals such as filmmakers and visual artists, and even high school graduates with exceptional academic records. Middle East Briefing separately confirms the reforms added nurses, teachers, e-sports professionals, game developers, digital content creators and Waqf donors as qualifying categories, each tied to a designated nominating authority responsible for vouching for applicants in that field.

The four main routes, as they stand now

Despite the expansion in qualifying professions, the core investment thresholds for the primary routes are unchanged: AED 2 million in real estate; AED 2 million in deposits, investments or company ownership for the capital and business route; roughly AED 1 million in annual revenue for entrepreneurs; and a minimum AED 30,000 monthly basic salary for the employment-based route. Processing typically takes two to three weeks once an application is submitted, with government fees ranging from roughly AED 4,700 to AED 10,000 depending on which pathway an applicant uses.

Family sponsorship got easier too

Two changes specifically benefit Golden Visa holders’ families. The age cap that previously limited how long sponsored children could remain on a parent’s visa has been removed, and spouses can now receive the full ten-year permit duration that matches the principal applicant’s, rather than a shorter dependent term. Together, these changes reduce one of the more common sources of family separation or renewal complexity that Golden Visa holders previously had to plan around.

Why the UAE is loosening the rules now

The shift toward professional and talent-based categories reflects broader competition among Gulf states to attract skilled residents and long-term capital, not just wealthy investors. By lowering the practical barrier to the property route and recognizing a much wider range of professions, the UAE is positioning the Golden Visa as a retention tool for skilled workers already living and working in the country, rather than solely an inbound-investment instrument aimed at foreign buyers.

What happens next

The overall direction of the 2026 reforms is consistent: broaden who can qualify without loosening the underlying investment or salary thresholds for the main routes. Applicants considering the property route should confirm with their bank whether a no-objection certificate is available before assuming a mortgaged or off-plan purchase qualifies, since implementation details can vary by lender and by emirate. Anyone applying under one of the newly added professional categories should also confirm which nominating authority governs their field, since that authority’s endorsement is a prerequisite for the application itself.

How it compares regionally

The UAE’s move to broaden Golden Visa eligibility mirrors a wider trend among Gulf Cooperation Council states competing for the same pool of skilled workers, entrepreneurs and capital, with neighboring countries in the region running their own parallel long-term residency schemes. For applicants weighing multiple Gulf destinations, the practical differentiator is increasingly the breadth of qualifying professional categories and family-sponsorship terms, rather than headline investment thresholds, which remain broadly similar across the region’s main golden-visa style programs.

More immigration coverage

Related reading: Brazil’s new electronic visa system, Australia’s cut to working holiday visa renewals, and Canada’s higher proof-of-funds requirement for study permits.

UAE Golden Visa questions answered

What changed about the property route in 2026?

As of February 2026, applicants no longer need to pay 50% of a property’s value upfront. Mortgaged and off-plan properties now qualify if the title deed reaches AED 2 million and the bank issues a no-objection certificate.

What new professions qualify for the UAE Golden Visa now?

Nurses, teachers, e-sports professionals, game developers, digital content creators, Waqf donors, and a broader range of AI, software, cybersecurity, data science, healthcare, finance and education professionals, among others.

What are the main investment thresholds?

AED 2 million in real estate or in deposits/investments/company ownership; roughly AED 1 million in annual revenue for entrepreneurs; and a AED 30,000 monthly salary minimum for the employment route.

What changed for family sponsorship?

The age cap on sponsored children was removed, and spouses now receive the full ten-year permit duration matching the principal applicant, rather than a shorter term.

How long does processing take?

Typically two to three weeks, with government fees ranging from roughly AED 4,700 to AED 10,000 depending on the pathway.

Sources

28 Sep 2026
Tokyo skyline at night, illustrating the country introducing new Japan visa renewal fees

Japan Is About to Make One Visa Fee 20 Times More Expensive

Categories Immigration, Visa Updates

Japan is raising its visa renewal fees sharply starting October 1, 2026. The most dramatic change hits permanent residence applications. That cost jumps from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, a twenty-fold increase. The new Japan visa renewal fees apply to anyone filing on or after that date, according to details published by VisaJapan.

Visa renewals and changes of status are also getting more expensive. The exact increase depends on how long a stay the applicant is granted.

The new Japan visa renewal fees, category by category

Under the old system, a standard visa renewal or change of status cost 6,000 yen in person, or 5,500 yen online. Starting October 1, a tiered structure replaces that flat fee, based on length of stay. A renewal for three months or less will cost 10,000 yen either way. A one-year renewal will cost 33,000 yen in person, or 27,000 yen online. A renewal of five years or more will cost 75,000 yen in person, or 65,000 yen online. A separate roundup of 2026 visa changes from the Khaleej Times confirms the same tiers.

Online applicants will also pay a separate processing fee of 330 to 550 yen on top of the renewal cost itself.

Why the permanent residence fee stands out

The jump in the permanent residence fee is the sharpest change in the new rules. It rises from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen. The law sets an upper limit of 300,000 yen, leaving room for a further increase later. Limited fee reductions remain available for applicants who meet specific financial hardship criteria.

Shinkansen bullet train at a Japanese station, representing daily life shaped by the new Japan visa renewal fees

Who needs to act before October 1

Anyone who files their application by September 30, 2026, keeps the old, lower fee structure. That holds even if approval arrives after the new rules take effect. The transitional rule gives foreign residents already in Japan a narrow window to lock in current pricing. That matters most for those planning to apply for permanent residence soon.

The change affects all foreign residents renewing visas, changing their status, or applying for permanent residence after the deadline. It does not apply to applications already filed and pending review.

What happens after October 1

Applicants who miss the September 30 cutoff will pay under the new tiered structure, no matter when they originally planned to file. Immigration lawyers and relocation advisers are likely to see a rush of applications in the final days of September. Many residents will try to beat the deadline, particularly for the permanent residence category.

FAQ: Japan’s new fees

When do the new Japan visa renewal fees take effect?

The new fee structure applies to applications filed on or after October 1, 2026. Applications filed by September 30, 2026, keep the old fees.

How much is the new permanent residence fee in Japan?

The permanent residence fee rises from 10,000 yen to 200,000 yen, a twenty-fold increase. The statutory upper limit sits even higher, at 300,000 yen.

How much will a standard visa renewal cost now?

It depends on the length of stay granted. Expect 10,000 yen for three months or less, 33,000 yen in person for one year, and 75,000 yen in person for five years or more. Online rates run slightly lower.

Is there any way to avoid the fee increase?

Filing an application by September 30, 2026, locks in the old fee structure, even if the approval comes after October 1. Limited reductions also exist for applicants who meet financial hardship criteria.

Who is affected by the new fees?

All foreign residents renewing visas, changing status, or applying for permanent residence in Japan after October 1, 2026, will pay under the new structure.

Also on Tamara News

For more visa policy news, see our coverage of Korea’s university visa restrictions, Australia’s working holiday visa changes, and Brazil’s electronic visa system.

28 Sep 2026
Official displaying a new passport card design, tied to the October 2026 visa bulletin wait

The October Visa Bulletin Is Late. Here’s Why That Might Be OK.

Categories Immigration, Visa Updates

The State Department has not yet published the October 2026 visa bulletin. The delay is running past its usual pattern. As of September 26, 2026, the department’s website still listed the October edition as “Coming Soon.” The September bulletin remained the current reference for green card applicants.

That gap matters because October marks the start of a new fiscal year. Annual visa number limits reset then for employment-based and family-sponsored categories. Applicants in backlogged categories, especially EB-2 India, watch this bulletin closely every year.

How late is the October 2026 visa bulletin, really

Recent October bulletins have typically carried document dates in early September. October 2025’s bulletin was dated September 3, and so was October 2024’s. October 2023’s came out September 8, according to a review by QueueCheck. This year’s bulletin is running well behind that pattern, and behind a related forecast from Shusterman.com.

The State Department has not given a public reason for the delay. QueueCheck’s reporting is careful not to assign a cause. It avoids blaming staffing, policy, demand, or any annual-limit calculation without an official statement.

Why the delay does not confirm a retrogression

A late bulletin naturally fuels speculation. A delay by itself does not signal bad news, though. QueueCheck’s analysis stresses that a later release “does not by itself signal a larger advance, a retrogression, or a particular USCIS filing-chart choice.” Applicants sometimes read timing as a signal. It may simply reflect internal review taking longer than usual.

Applicant handing a document across a counter, representing the wait for the October 2026 visa bulletin

Who is watching the October 2026 visa bulletin most closely

EB-2 India and EB-5 unreserved India applicants have the most riding on this release. Earlier bulletins had suggested a possible October advance for those categories, though only on a conditional basis. Family-sponsored applicants are also waiting. So are those filing adjustment-of-status paperwork, since USCIS issues a separate filing chart tied to the same fiscal year reset.

What happens once the bulletin finally appears

Applicants should wait for the official October table rather than relying on forecasts circulating online. Once it posts, adjustment-of-status filers still need to check USCIS’s own filing-chart announcement separately. The two documents do not always move in lockstep. Expect a wave of law-firm analysis within hours of the bulletin’s release, given how many applicants are waiting on it.

FAQ: the delayed bulletin

Why hasn’t the October 2026 visa bulletin been published yet?

The State Department has not given an official reason. As of September 26, 2026, its website still listed the bulletin as “Coming Soon,” later than the typical early-September release pattern.

Does a delayed bulletin mean priority dates will retrogress?

Not necessarily. Analysts reviewing the delay have said it does not by itself signal an advance, a retrogression, or a specific USCIS filing-chart decision.

Which visa categories are most affected by the delay?

EB-2 India and EB-5 unreserved India applicants are watched most closely, along with family-sponsored categories, since October marks the annual reset of visa number limits.

When do October visa bulletins usually come out?

Recent years show a pattern of early-September release dates: September 3 in both 2024 and 2025, and September 8 in 2023.

What should applicants do while they wait?

Wait for the official October table rather than relying on predictions, and check USCIS’s separate filing-chart announcement once it posts, since it can differ from the State Department bulletin.

Continue reading on Tamara News

For more visa and immigration news, see our coverage of the September 2026 visa bulletin, the new USCIS Form I-864 rejections, and Canada’s study permit proof-of-funds rule.

28 Sep 2026
October 2026 visa bulletin

Why the October 2026 Visa Bulletin Never Came Out

Categories Immigration, Visa Updates

The State Department has not published the October 2026 visa bulletin, the monthly document that tells hundreds of thousands of immigrant visa applicants worldwide whether their priority date has finally come up. As of late September, immigration lawyers were calling it the latest October release in at least several years, and the delay lands on top of three separate restrictions that are already reshaping how — and whether — immigrant visas move at all.

What the visa bulletin normally does

Each month, the visa bulletin sets “final action dates” for family-sponsored and employment-based green card categories, based on which applicants with an earlier priority date can move forward. The October edition matters more than most: it opens a new fiscal year, resetting the pool of roughly 226,000 family-sponsored and 140,000 employment-based visa numbers Congress allocates annually. A missing or delayed bulletin leaves consulates and applicants without a starting point for the new year’s allocations.

Three restrictions already in force

The bulletin’s absence follows a stack of policy changes rather than a single cause. Proclamation 10998 expanded an existing visa suspension from 19 to 39 countries effective January 1, 2026, with no expiration date and reviews every 180 days. Separately, a pause on immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries took effect January 21, 2026, justified by concerns that applicants would become a “public charge” — a rationale immigration attorneys say swept in entire nationalities rather than individual cases. Then, on August 25, 2026, the State Department froze immigrant visa interviews worldwide so consular officers could be retrained on the new public charge screening, and no restart date has been announced since.

A federal judge draws a line

The 75-country pause did not survive court scrutiny. In CLINIC et al. v. Rubio et al., a federal court ruled on August 21, 2026 that public charge eligibility has to be assessed case by case, not through blanket nationality-based rules, according to Immigration Analytics’ review of the case. The State Department confirmed the pause was “no longer in effect,” a status the Immigrant Legal Resource Center also documents, though the government has since appealed the ruling. Immigration Analytics reports the case has identified more than 43,000 affected applications that may need to be reprocessed under individualized review.

The underlying public charge policy has itself been in motion all year. The 2022 public charge rule was slated for rescission as of July 20, 2026, and USCIS published replacement guidance on August 18 that took effect a month later, on September 18. The new guidance widens the range of public benefits officers can weigh — including Medicaid, food assistance and housing aid — and can now count benefits used by an applicant’s family members, not just the applicant. Applications filed before September 18 remain governed by the more lenient 2022 standard, creating two different rulebooks running in parallel depending on filing date.

Why the numbers themselves are now at risk

A missing bulletin, on top of a paused pause and a worldwide interview freeze, creates a practical problem beyond paperwork: unused visa numbers. Family-sponsored and diversity-visa categories depend almost entirely on consular interviews abroad, so a freeze with no restart date risks numbers going unclaimed before the fiscal year closes them out. Employment-based applicants processing domestically through adjustment of status are comparatively insulated, and could even benefit if unclaimed family-based numbers are reallocated once a bulletin finally appears.

What happens next

Three things determine how this resolves: whether the interview freeze gets a restart date, how the government’s appeal of CLINIC v. Rubio proceeds, and how State handles the more than 43,000 cases caught in the reprocessing queue. Applicants filing now should expect heavier scrutiny of affidavits of support and family benefit histories under the September 18 guidance, regardless of how the bulletin dispute resolves. Until a bulletin appears, consulates and applicants are effectively working without an official start date for fiscal year 2027’s visa allocations.

More visa and immigration coverage

Related reading: the UK’s HC 584 immigration rule changes, Brazil’s new electronic visa system, and Australia’s working holiday visa cuts.

October visa bulletin questions answered

Why hasn’t the October 2026 visa bulletin been published?

The State Department has not given an official reason, though the delay coincides with ongoing litigation over the 75-country public charge pause and a worldwide freeze on immigrant visa interviews that began August 25, 2026.

Is the 75-country public charge pause still in effect?

No. A federal court struck it down on August 21, 2026 in CLINIC v. Rubio, and the State Department confirmed it is no longer active, though the ruling is under appeal.

Does the new public charge guidance apply to everyone?

No. It applies only to adjustment-of-status applications filed on or after September 18, 2026. Earlier filings remain governed by the 2022 rule.

What happens to visa numbers that go unused because of the interview freeze?

Family-sponsored and diversity-visa numbers depend on consular interviews abroad, so a prolonged freeze risks those numbers going unclaimed for the fiscal year, though no official accounting has been published yet.

Who is affected by the reprocessing of paused cases?

Immigration Analytics reports more than 43,000 cases connected to the struck-down 75-country pause may require individualized reprocessing rather than blanket denial.

Sources

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