U.S. Immigration Alerts

FGI UPDATE: This Week’s Summary of U.S. Immigration News

The Department of State Releases Global Visa Wait Times for January 2026

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently released updated global visa wait times, offering a snapshot of how long applicants may need to wait for visa interview appointments around the world. These averages are not guarantees since embassies and consulates regularly open new interview slots and applicants can sometimes reschedule for earlier dates. The data is meant to help applicants and employers plan ahead, especially as new security review requirements and regional backlogs continue to affect processing times.

Key Points

• Visa Wait Times Are Estimates, Not Guarantees: Reported wait times reflect averages and do not promise that an applicant will be interviewed within a specific period. Applicants are encouraged to check appointment systems frequently, as additional slots may open.
• Increases in Certain Work Visa Wait Times: Work visa categories (H, L, O, P, Q) saw increased wait times in Beijing and Chennai/Madras compared to December. These increases are expected to continue due to expanded “online presence review” requirements for all H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents.
• Canada Continues to Have Long Work Visa Delays: Despite a global average of less than 15 days to one month for many work visa appointments, Canadian posts remain among the slowest. Ottawa and Quebec average about 6.5 months, while Vancouver averages around 4.5 months for petition-based work visas.
• Mixed Trends in China and India: Shanghai experienced a three-month decrease in work visa wait times, but student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, J) increased by 2.5 months. In India, B-1/B-2 visitor visa wait times dropped in Hyderabad and New Delhi, with Chennai/Madras seeing a sharp decline from seven months to 1.5 months.
• Visitor Visa Backlogs Remain Severe in Some Locations: The longest B-1/B-2 interview wait times were reported in Toronto (18 months), Tegucigalpa (16.5 months), and Merida (10.5 months). Ottawa and Vancouver also reported approximately 10-month waits for visitor visas.

What US Employers Need to Know 

• Work Visa Planning Requires Extra Lead Time: Employers sponsoring foreign workers should anticipate longer interview wait times in certain high-demand posts, particularly in Canada, China, and India. Early planning is essential to avoid start-date delays.
• New Screening Requirements May Slow Processing: The expanded online presence review for H-1B applicants and their dependents is likely to increase processing times at many posts. Employers should factor this into onboarding and mobility timelines.
• Location of Visa Interview Matters: Where an employee applies can significantly affect wait times, even within the same country. Strategic selection of consular posts may reduce delays, where permitted.
• Rescheduling Opportunities Are Limited: While applicants can sometimes move to earlier appointment slots, there may be limits on how often appointments can be rescheduled. Employers should ensure employees are prepared before scheduling interviews.
• Interview Waivers May Help in Some Cases: Some applicants may qualify for interview waivers, which are not reflected in published wait times. Employers should verify waiver eligibility on the specific embassy or consulate website.

Looking Ahead

• Continued Pressure on High-Volume Posts: Cities with historically high visa demand are likely to remain backlogged, especially for visitor visas. Without staffing or procedural changes, long waits may persist through 2026.
• Security Reviews Could Expand Further: The recent expansion of online presence review requirements suggests that additional screening measures may be introduced. This could further affect predictability in visa processing times.
• Greater Need for Flexibility in Global Mobility: Employers and applicants may need to adjust travel, start dates, and assignment planning more frequently. Flexibility will be key as wait times fluctuate month to month.
• Potential Shifts Toward Interview Waivers: As consulates manage workloads, interview waiver programs may play a larger role. This could help offset delays for certain low-risk applicants.
• Ongoing Month-to-Month Volatility: Visa wait times can change quickly due to policy updates, staffing, or local demand. Regular monitoring of State Department updates will remain essential.

Wait Time Chart for Select Consulates/Embassies

The complete chart is located at travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/global-visa-wait-times.html 

Conclusion

The January 2026 global visa wait time update highlights a highly uneven landscape, with some posts seeing improvements and others facing significant delays. While average global wait times remain relatively short for many categories, specific regions—particularly Canada and certain high-demand cities—continue to experience lengthy backlogs. For applicants and U.S. employers alike, proactive planning, careful post selection, and close attention to evolving State Department policies will be critical to navigating the visa process in the months ahead.

Forbes: Trump Administration Aims to Cut Legal Immigration by 33% to 50%

New research published in Forbes magazine concludes that immigration policies adopted under the Trump administration could reduce legal immigration to the United States by an estimated 33% to 50% over a four-year period. The primary mechanism for this reduction is restricting Americans’ ability to sponsor close family members, rather than focusing solely on deportations, which have received more public attention. Analysts warn that these limits on legal immigration could have far-reaching consequences for U.S. families, employers, and the broader economy.

Key Points

• Projected Sharp Decline in Legal Immigration: A National Foundation for American Policy (NFAP) analysis estimates legal immigration will fall by 1.5 million to 2.4 million people over four years. This represents a 33% to 50% reduction compared to recent green card issuance levels.
• Family Sponsorship Is the Main Target: Nearly half of all legal immigrants enter through the Immediate Relatives of U.S. Citizens category, which has no numerical cap. Restricting this category is the most direct way to reduce total immigration levels.
• Multiple Policy Tools Are Being Used: These include country-based entry bans, restrictive “public charge” interpretations, refugee admission cuts, and actions against Diversity Visa recipients. Together, these measures override long-standing immigration categories set by Congress unless stopped by litigation.
• Additional Populations at Risk: The estimates do not include up to 2.7 million people already lawfully present whose protections are threatened. This includes individuals with Temporary Protected Status, humanitarian parole, and possibly international students relying on OPT or STEM OPT.
• Wide Geographic Scope of Restrictions: Combined policies affect nationals of up to 93 countries through overlapping bans and visa freezes. Enforcement intensity will determine whether denial rates fall closer to 50% or reach 100% for affected applicants.

What US Employers Need to Know

• Reduced Access to Foreign Talent: Cuts to family-based and employment-based immigration may shrink the future labor pool. Employers could face longer-term hiring challenges, especially in high-growth or specialized industries.
• Potential Cost Increases for Sponsorship: Proposed Labor Department rules could raise required wages for employment-based immigrants. This may price some employers out of sponsoring foreign workers altogether.
• Uncertainty for International Students: Policies under consideration could restrict or eliminate work authorization through OPT or STEM OPT. Employers relying on graduates of U.S. universities may see fewer eligible candidates.
• Long-Term Workforce Declines: NFAP projects a reduction of 6.8 million workers by 2028 and 15.7 million by 2035 due to combined legal and illegal immigration policies. These declines could slow productivity and business expansion.
• Greater Planning Risks: Sudden policy shifts, visa freezes, and reinterpretations of eligibility standards increase unpredictability. Employers may need contingency plans for talent shortages or delayed onboarding.

Looking Ahead

• Significant Family Separation Impacts: NFAP estimates 941,625 to 1.65 million fewer Immediate Relatives of U.S. citizens will receive green cards. This means many Americans may be unable to live in the U.S. with spouses, children, or parents.
• Economic Growth at Risk: Reduced immigration is projected to lower annual economic growth by nearly one-third. Slower labor force growth directly affects productivity and living standards.
• Rising Federal Debt: Analysts estimate immigration restrictions could increase federal debt by $252 billion by 2028 and up to $1.74 trillion by 2035. Fewer workers and taxpayers contribute to widening fiscal gaps.
• Contradicted Claims About Worker Benefits: Despite promises of gains for U.S.-born workers, unemployment among U.S.-born individuals rose from 3.7% to 4.1% as the foreign-born workforce declined. This challenges arguments that reduced immigration boosts native employment.
• Continued Legal and Political Challenges: Lawsuits and future elections may shape how aggressively these policies are enforced. The ultimate impact depends on whether courts or future administrations reverse course.

SOURCE: Stuart Anderson, Forbes, January 20, 2026: www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2026/01/20/trump-and-miller-slashing-legal-immigration-by-33-to-50/