Key facts
- This is a log of changes we could verify from official or well-established sources, with the month and a link. It is not a complete record, and it can be out of date within weeks.
- The biggest items since mid-2025 are online presence vetting, narrowed interview waivers, the H-1B proclamation payment, entry restrictions for some nationalities and the proposed end of duration of status.
- Several items are in court. Read the official page before you act on any entry.
- For your own case, confirm with the program's international office, ECFMG, USCIS or an immigration attorney.
This page logs US visa policy changes that affect international medical graduates, with the month, who is affected and an official link. Each entry is limited to what we could verify, and where we could not confirm something we say so. Rules and court orders can change faster than this wiki is reviewed, so use the log to know what to ask about, not as the final word. The last full update of this page was November 2026.
Change log (newest first) #
| Month | Change | Who it affects | Official source |
|---|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | A proclamation signed September 18, 2026 extends the 2025 H-1B entry restriction and payment requirement for another 12 months, with exceptions the Department of Homeland Security can grant in the national interest. The text does not mention physicians. | Employers and new H-1B beneficiaries abroad, including residents | White House |
| September 2026 | A federal court in Massachusetts postponed the effective date of the DHS rule ending duration of status for F, J and I nonimmigrants (decision reported September 14). The existing duration of status system continues while the case proceeds. The government appealed; the matter is still active. | J-1 physicians and dependents | NAFSA litigation page; ECFMG news |
| July 2026 | DHS published a final rule to replace duration of status with fixed admission periods for F, J and I holders, scheduled to take effect September 15, 2026. ECFMG reported that DHS declined a carve-out for J-1 physicians. | J-1 physicians | ECFMG news |
| July 2026 | The First Circuit denied the government's motion to stay the June order on the H-1B payment guidance. USCIS said DHS will comply with the order while it considers next steps, and plans to collect the payment if the order is lifted. | New H-1B petitions | USCIS |
| June 2026 | A federal court in Massachusetts vacated agency guidance implementing the H-1B payment requirement (State of California v. Mullin). | New H-1B petitions | USCIS |
| February 2026 | A weighted, wage-level selection process for H-1B cap registrations took effect for the fiscal year 2027 cap season. It concerns cap-subject employers, not cap-exempt ones. | Cap-subject H-1B employers | USCIS cap season |
| January 2026 | Proclamation 10998 took effect on January 1, fully or partially suspending visa issuance for nationals of listed countries; the partial list covers B-1/B-2 and J visas, with limited exceptions. Visas issued before that date were not revoked by it. | Nationals of listed countries | White House |
| October 2025 | State Department narrowed which nonimmigrant applicants can skip the visa interview, effective October 1, and said waiver eligibility includes applying in country of nationality or residence. | Applicants for most nonimmigrant visas | State Department |
| September 2025 | A presidential proclamation (signed September 19, effective September 21) required a large payment with certain new H-1B petitions for workers outside the US. USCIS stated it does not apply to previously issued H-1B visas, petitions filed before the effective date or renewals. | New H-1B petitions | USCIS |
| June 2025 | The State Department announced expanded screening and vetting of F, M and J applicants, including review of online presence, and asked for social media profiles to be set to public. | J-1 applicants | State Department |
We left out items we could not confirm from an official page, and we do not repeat dollar amounts here. For the payment amount and terms, read the proclamation.
Items to watch that we could not confirm #
These are real topics, but we could not verify a current status from official sources when we wrote this page, so we send you to the source instead of stating a position.
- Conrad 30 authorization. USCIS posted in October 2025 that eligibility for J-1 physicians admitted on or after October 1, 2025 depended on Congress extending the program. Check the USCIS page and your state health department. See the two-year rule.
- Whether a physician exemption exists for the H-1B payment. The proclamation text we read does not name physicians. Ask the program what it is doing now.
- Visa integrity fee. Federal law created it, but we found conflicting reports about whether and where it is collected. Use the State Department's fee page.
- Online presence review for H-1B and H-4. The State Department has announced an extension of expanded vetting to these applicants; see its announcement.
- Immigrant visa pause for nationals of dozens of countries (January 2026). It concerns immigrant visas (green card processing abroad), not residency visas, but it may matter for your long-term plan. Check the State Department's notice and your country.
What each change means for your plan #
If you plan a J-1 #
Follow ECFMG's instructions, expect more attention to online presence at the interview, and check your country on the entry restrictions. Review the J-1 visa process. Ask ECFMG and your program what the duration of status litigation means for your DS-2019 dates.
If you plan an H-1B #
Ask whether the program is cap-exempt, whether it will file for you at all given the payment rules, and when it needs Step 3 results. See H-1B for residents and Step 3 and H-1B timing.
If you plan a short visit for an exam or interview #
Plan for an in-person visa interview and for processing in your country of nationality or residence. See B-1/B-2 for exams and interviews.
How to monitor changes #
- Bookmark the official sources: the State Department's visa news and country pages, USCIS alerts and the H-1B pages, j1visa.state.gov, and the ECFMG and Intealth news pages.
- Ask your program's international office what it has changed and what it expects from you. Programs react to new rules before most public guides.
- Check before each step, not once. A date, fee, document or country list can change between the day you start and the day you act.
- Prefer primary sources. Use university and law firm summaries as pointers, then open the official page they cite.
- Keep records. Save screenshots or PDFs with dates of the guidance you relied on when you applied.
- Use an attorney for complex cases, such as a previous refusal, an overstay, a country on a restriction list or a plan that depends on a waiver.
About this log #
This wiki is reviewed on a schedule, and entries are added when we can verify them. If you notice a change that is not here, contact your program's international office and check the official source, not this page.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often and individual circumstances differ. Confirm your situation with your sponsor, the relevant government agency, or a qualified immigration attorney before acting. See our disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I check for changes?
Check before each major step (Statement of Need, DS-2019 or petition, visa appointment, travel) and whenever your program or ECFMG sends a notice. Do not rely on a page you read months ago.
Where are the most reliable updates?
The State Department's visa news pages, USCIS alerts, ECFMG and Intealth news, and your program's international office. Law firm and university notes can help but verify against the official page.
Does this page cover my nationality?
Only in outline. Entry restrictions differ by country and exception, so use the official proclamation and State Department pages for yours.
Is this legal advice?
No. It is general information. Confirm your case with the program's international office or an immigration attorney.
Sources
- Intealth ECFMG: Update on DHS rule to end duration of status
- USCIS: H-1B FAQ on the proclamation payment
- White House: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers (September 2026)
- US Department of State: Expanded screening and vetting announcement (June 2025)
- US Department of State: Interview waiver update, September 18, 2025
- NAFSA: Duration of status litigation tracker
Found something out of date? Tell us and we will check it against the source.