US Immigration Weekly Roundup March 23–28, 2026: DOL Wage Overhaul, H-2B Cap Closed, Visa Bond Expansion to 50 Countries & More
- VISASUPDATE
- 21 hours ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 4 hours ago
The past week delivered some of the most impactful U.S. immigration developments of 2026 so far. From a revived push to raise H-1B and PERM wages to the H-2B cap being fully reached and the visa bond program expanding to 50 countries, employers, workers, and applicants are facing major shifts in policy and costs.
Here’s a clear, comprehensive roundup of everything that happened — and what it means for you.
1. DOL Revives Major Wage Overhaul for H-1B, E-3, H-1B1 & PERM
The Department of Labor has resubmitted a revised proposal to restructure the prevailing wage system for H-1B, E-3, H-1B1, and PERM programs. The rule, now under OMB review, would significantly increase minimum wages across all four levels.
Most notably, Level I (entry-level) wages could jump from the current 17th percentile to the 34th percentile — effectively making today’s Level II wage the new minimum for entry-level positions.
Higher levels (II, III, and IV) would also see upward adjustments.
2. DOL's Proposal to Increase Wages for H-1B & PERM – Significant Rise in Entry-Level Salaries
A separate but related Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) confirms the DOL is pushing to raise wages across the board. If finalized, Level I wages would effectively become today’s Level II wages — significantly increasing sponsorship costs for many employers.
3. H-2B Visa Cap Reached for Second Half of FY 2026
USCIS announced that the statutory H-2B cap for the April 1 – September 30, 2026 period is now fully exhausted. The final receipt date for new cap-subject petitions was March 10, 2026. Any new regular cap-subject petitions received after that date will be rejected unless they qualify under supplemental allocations for returning workers or specific industries.
4. U.S. Visa Bond Program Now Includes 50 Countries
The State Department has added 12 new countries to its $15,000 refundable visa bond requirement for B-1/B-2 visas. The total now stands at 50 countries, including Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Papua New Guinea, Seychelles, and Tunisia.
The bond is refunded (with interest) if the traveler departs on time and complies with visa terms. The program has shown a 97% compliance rate so far and is projected to save taxpayers up to $800 million annually by reducing overstays and removals.
Read more:
U.S. Extends Visa Bond Program to 50 Nations
5. U.S. Citizenship Renunciation Fee Slashed 80% to $450
In a surprising policy reversal, the State Department cut the fee to formally renounce U.S. citizenship from $2,350 to $450 — an 80% reduction effective immediately.
The move responds to years of complaints from expats and “accidental Americans” burdened by complex U.S. tax rules (FATCA/FBAR). While renunciation still requires an in-person appointment and months of processing, the lower cost makes the process far more accessible.
6. Update on H-2B Processing Times & Cap Usage – March 2026
DOL data shows fast prevailing wage clearances and strong cap usage in the first half of FY 2026, with 116,808 workers certified. Employers planning second-half hires should act quickly on remaining supplemental slots.
7. PERM Labor Certification 2026 – Complete Guide
With PERM processing times averaging 483 days and audit rates around 35%, employers and foreign workers navigating the green card process need up-to-date guidance on prevailing wages, recruitment steps, and recent regulatory changes.
Read more: PERM Labor Certification Complete Guide 2026
What to Watch Next
April 2, 2026: Visa bond requirements take effect for 50 countries
Late May 2026: Public comment period ends for the DOL wage proposal
Late 2026 / Early 2027: Final DOL wage rule expected (subject to legal challenges)
H-2B supplemental slots: Limited availability — file immediately if eligible
For real-time U.S. immigration updates, bookmark our USA Visa & Immigration section: USA Visa & Immigration Updates
This week’s developments show a clear pattern: the current administration is focused on raising costs and selectivity for temporary work visas while making some administrative processes (like renunciation) more accessible. Employers and applicants should review their strategies now to stay ahead of these fast-moving changes.
Comments