For software developers around the world — from India and Nigeria to Brazil, China, the Philippines, and Eastern Europe — the United States remains the most coveted destination for a technology career. American tech salaries are among the highest on earth, the innovation ecosystem is unmatched, and the path from a sponsored work visa to permanent residency is clearly defined. The gateway to all of this, for most international software professionals, is the H-1B visa.
In 2026, the H-1B landscape has changed significantly. A landmark rule replacing the random lottery with a wage-weighted selection system took effect in February 2026, fundamentally altering how visas are allocated. A new $100,000 supplemental fee has reshaped employer hiring calculus. And the technology sector continues to dominate — accounting for 70% of all H-1B petitions — with software engineers and software developers consistently among the most sponsored job titles.
This guide covers everything an international software professional needs to know: how the H-1B works in 2026, the new lottery rules, what salaries to expect, which companies sponsor the most developers, cap-exempt pathways that bypass the lottery entirely, and how to navigate the process from application to green card.
What Is the H-1B Visa?
The H-1B is a non-immigrant work visa that allows US employers to temporarily employ foreign workers in specialty occupations — roles that require the theoretical and practical application of a body of highly specialised knowledge and at minimum a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) in a directly related field.
Software development qualifies clearly and consistently. USCIS has a long record of approving H-1B petitions for software engineers, full-stack developers, backend engineers, mobile developers, data engineers, DevOps engineers, and related technical roles. Software engineer is one of the most commonly approved H-1B job titles, and the role clearly meets the specialty occupation criteria under established USCIS standards.
Key facts about the H-1B visa:
- Valid for three years, extendable to six years total
- Tied to a specific employer (you need a new petition if you change jobs)
- Allows dependants (spouse, children under 21) to accompany you on H-4 visas
- The H-4 spouse can obtain an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) to work — though this is subject to policy changes
- Leads to employer-sponsored green card eligibility (EB-2 or EB-3)
- Annual cap of 85,000 new visas per fiscal year: 65,000 under the regular cap and 20,000 reserved for US master’s degree holders
The Biggest 2026 Change: Wage-Weighted Lottery Selection
The most significant development in the H-1B programme in years took effect on 27 February 2026. USCIS replaced the old random lottery — which gave every registration an equal chance regardless of salary — with a wage-weighted selection system that assigns more entries to higher-paid positions.
How the New System Works
Under the new rule, each registration receives a number of weighted entries based on the Department of Labor’s four prevailing wage levels for the occupation and geographic area:
| DOL Wage Level | Description | Weighted Entries |
|---|---|---|
| Level I | Entry-level, routine tasks | 1 entry |
| Level II | Qualified, experienced professional | 2 entries |
| Level III | Experienced, requires judgment | 3 entries |
| Level IV | Fully competent, specialised expert | 4 entries |
USCIS modelling estimates that Level IV registrations may approach approximately 60% selection probability, while Level I registrations may fall closer to 15%. These are projections — actual outcomes depend on total registration volume and the wage distribution of all entries in a given year — but the directional shift is clear and significant.
What This Means for Software Developers
For software developers, this change has important practical implications:
Target senior or specialised roles. A Level III or IV software engineering role — senior engineer, staff engineer, principal engineer, or engineering manager — now has substantially better lottery odds than an entry-level position. If you are early in your career, gaining experience before applying to US companies gives you a strategic advantage under the new system.
Geography matters for prevailing wages. A Level III software developer in San Francisco has a higher prevailing wage (and thus a higher-level classification) than the same role in a lower-cost market. The prevailing wage level is determined by the occupation and the specific metropolitan area, not the absolute salary alone.
Employers benefit from offering competitive salaries. Under the old random system, some employers gamed the process with lower-wage filings. The wage-weighted system structurally disadvantages that approach, which is precisely its intent.
The H-1B Annual Cap and Lottery Process
Despite the new weighting system, the H-1B remains a lottery — and the fundamental supply-demand imbalance has not changed. The annual cap sits at 85,000 new visas while demand continues to run into the hundreds of thousands of registrations each year.
The Two Cap Pools
Regular Cap — 65,000 visas: Open to all eligible applicants with at least a bachelor’s degree or equivalent.
US Master’s Cap — 20,000 visas: Reserved for candidates who hold a master’s degree or higher from a US accredited institution. Candidates with a US master’s degree are entered first into the master’s cap pool. If not selected there, they are also entered into the regular cap pool, giving them effectively two chances at selection.
The 2026 Registration Timeline
For the FY 2027 cap (positions starting 1 October 2026):
- Registration window: early to mid-March 2026 (a compressed two-week window)
- Selection notifications: typically by late March
- Full petition filing: April through June for selected registrants
- Visa start date: 1 October 2026 for most first-round selections
Each H-1B beneficiary can only be registered once per registration period, based on their passport number. Duplicate registrations by multiple employers for the same individual are rejected.
USCIS may conduct additional selection rounds (often in July or October) if the cap has not been met, but only beneficiaries registered in the March window are eligible for any subsequent rounds.
The $100,000 Supplemental Fee
A presidential proclamation issued in September 2025 introduced a $100,000 supplemental fee for certain new H-1B petitions, specifically for initial employment from abroad. This is one of the most significant cost increases in the history of the programme and has reshaped employer hiring decisions.
Who does the fee apply to? It applies primarily to new H-1B petitions for workers being sponsored from outside the United States — i.e., those who are not already in the US on another visa status.
Important exception: Individuals applying for a change of status within the United States — such as F-1 student visa holders transitioning to H-1B — are generally not subject to the $100,000 fee. This is a major reason why international students at US universities on F-1 OPT are significantly more attractive to employers in 2026: they can be sponsored at standard costs, avoiding the supplemental fee entirely.
Employers should plan as if this fee will remain in effect through at least September 2026, when the proclamation is scheduled for review unless extended.
H-1B Visa Fees: The Full Cost Picture
The total cost of an H-1B petition is borne primarily by the employer (passing these costs to employees is generally prohibited), but understanding the cost helps you evaluate employer commitment to sponsorship.
| Fee Item | Amount (2026) |
|---|---|
| Electronic registration fee | $215 per beneficiary |
| I-129 base filing fee | $1,055 |
| Asylum Programme Fee (most employers) | $600 |
| American Competitiveness and Workforce Improvement Act (ACWIA) training fee | $750–$1,500 |
| Fraud Prevention and Detection fee | $500 |
| Premium processing (optional, 15 business days) | $2,965 |
| Supplemental fee (new hires from abroad) | $100,000 |
Excluding the supplemental fee, typical H-1B petition costs range from $5,000 to $15,000 per employee. The $100,000 supplemental fee adds a substantial premium for overseas hires, making F-1 OPT transitions and in-country hires far more cost-effective for employers.
Salary Expectations for H-1B Software Developers in 2026
Employers must pay at least the Department of Labor prevailing wage for the occupation and geographic location. For software developers, prevailing wages vary significantly by location and wage level.
Salary Ranges by Role and Location
| Role | NYC / San Francisco | Seattle / Austin | Mid-Size Cities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Junior Software Engineer (L1) | $90,000–$115,000 | $80,000–$110,000 | $65,000–$90,000 |
| Mid-Level Software Engineer (L2) | $130,000–$165,000 | $120,000–$150,000 | $95,000–$130,000 |
| Senior Software Engineer (L3) | $165,000–$210,000 | $150,000–$190,000 | $120,000–$165,000 |
| Staff / Principal Engineer (L4) | $200,000–$280,000+ | $180,000–$250,000+ | $150,000–$200,000 |
| Engineering Manager | $180,000–$260,000 | $160,000–$230,000 | $130,000–$180,000 |
Top tech companies consistently pay above prevailing wages. Meta’s average H-1B salary stands at approximately $205,000, making it the highest-paying major H-1B sponsor. Nvidia’s average H-1B salary in California is approximately $226,005. Total compensation (base salary plus stock and bonus) at major tech companies frequently exceeds these figures by 50% or more at senior levels.
Salary by Specialisation
Certain software engineering specialisations command significantly higher compensation and have strong H-1B approval histories:
- AI / Machine Learning Engineers: $150,000–$350,000
- Cloud Infrastructure / DevOps Engineers: $130,000–$220,000
- Cybersecurity Engineers: $120,000–$200,000
- Embedded / Firmware Engineers: $110,000–$180,000
- Full-Stack Web Engineers: $110,000–$180,000
- Mobile Engineers (iOS/Android): $120,000–$190,000
- Data Engineers: $120,000–$190,000
- Blockchain / Web3 Engineers: $130,000–$220,000
Top Companies Sponsoring H-1B Software Developer Visas in 2026
The technology sector represents approximately 70% of all H-1B petitions. Among the biggest sponsors, Amazon led with 12,391 approvals in FY 2025, followed closely by Microsoft, Meta, Google, and Apple. The Big Tech heavyweights collectively account for over 130,000 H-1B approvals annually.
Big Tech — Tier 1 Sponsors
Amazon (AWS, Alexa, Prime) The single largest H-1B sponsor in the United States. Amazon sponsored 12,391 H-1B approvals in FY 2025. Primary hiring hubs: Seattle (WA), Austin (TX), New York (NY), San Francisco (CA). Key roles: Software Development Engineer (SDE), Applied Scientist, ML Engineer, Cloud Infrastructure Engineer.
Microsoft 5,189 approvals in FY 2025. Headquarters in Redmond (WA) with major offices across the US. Strong hiring in Azure cloud engineering, AI, gaming (Xbox), and enterprise software. MBA and business graduates are increasingly hired alongside technical talent.
Meta Platforms 5,123 approvals, with an average H-1B salary of approximately $205,000 — the highest among major sponsors. Roles concentrate in AI/ML, infrastructure, Reality Labs (AR/VR), and core platform engineering. Approval rate typically between 95% and 99%.
Apple 4,202 approvals. Strong hiring in software, hardware-software integration, and machine learning. Apple recruits many international candidates through internships and OPT before H-1B transition.
Google (Alphabet) 4,181 approvals. High approval rate, typically above 95%. Core hiring in software engineering, AI research, and data science. Internal eligibility criteria (role level, office-based work) can affect sponsorship availability.
Nvidia 1,255 applications in California with an average H-1B salary of $226,005 — the highest prevailing wage average of any major sponsor. Primary focus on GPU computing, AI training infrastructure, and autonomous systems engineering.
Other Major Tech Sponsors
- Cisco Systems — 1,570 roles, primarily network engineering and software development
- Salesforce — enterprise software, platform development
- Adobe — creative software and cloud platforms
- Oracle — database engineering, cloud infrastructure
- Intel — semiconductor, firmware, hardware-software integration
- Qualcomm — embedded systems, communications software
- Uber / Lyft — platform engineering, maps, ML infrastructure
- Stripe / Block — financial technology, payments infrastructure
- Databricks — data engineering, ML platforms
- Palantir — data analytics engineering
- Coinbase — blockchain engineering
IT Consulting Firms (High Volume, Lower Salaries)
Consulting firms file high volumes of H-1B petitions but typically at lower wage levels, which will increasingly disadvantage them under the new wage-weighted selection system.
- Cognizant (approval rate approximately 98.41%)
- Infosys, Wipro, Tata Consultancy Services (TCS)
- Accenture, Deloitte, HCL Technologies
- Capgemini, EPAM Systems
For software developers seeking long-term career growth and green card sponsorship, direct tech company placements generally offer stronger outcomes than IT consulting roles.
Cap-Exempt H-1B: Bypassing the Lottery Entirely
One of the most overlooked strategies for international software professionals is targeting cap-exempt employers — organisations not subject to the annual 85,000-visa cap and therefore not required to enter the lottery. Cap-exempt employers can file H-1B petitions at any time of year, with no registration window and no lottery risk.
Who Qualifies as Cap-Exempt?
Four categories of employer are cap-exempt under Section 214(g)(5) of the Immigration and Nationality Act:
- Institutions of higher education — all accredited US colleges and universities, including community colleges
- University-affiliated nonprofits — organisations with a formal affiliation agreement with a qualifying institution, including university hospitals, research foundations, and associated nonprofits
- Nonprofit research organisations — organisations primarily engaged in basic or applied research
- Government research organisations — federal, state, or local government entities whose primary mission is research (NIH, Department of Energy national labs, NASA research centres, CDC)
Leading Cap-Exempt Employers for Software/Tech Roles
Universities The University of California system filed more H-1B LCA applications than any other cap-exempt employer in FY 2025. Stanford University filed 434 LCA applications with a 97.2% approval rate and the highest average salary on the cap-exempt list, driven by AI, ML, and computational biology roles that compete directly with private-sector compensation in Silicon Valley. MIT, Carnegie Mellon, Georgia Tech, and other major research universities are also significant cap-exempt H-1B employers for software-adjacent roles.
National Laboratories The National Institutes of Health (NIH), Los Alamos National Laboratory, Sandia National Laboratories, Argonne National Laboratory, and Oak Ridge National Laboratory frequently sponsor international researchers in fields including computational science, scientific computing, data science, and software engineering for scientific systems.
University-Affiliated Hospitals Teaching hospitals affiliated with medical schools — including Mayo Clinic, Johns Hopkins Hospital, and Massachusetts General Hospital — are cap-exempt and sponsor software and health informatics engineers for clinical technology roles.
The Cap-Exempt Strategy for Software Developers
A sophisticated approach used by many international software engineers is the concurrent employment strategy: secure a cap-exempt position (e.g., software engineer at a university research lab) which provides guaranteed H-1B status without lottery risk, then add a cap-subject employer (e.g., a tech company) in a concurrent employment arrangement, since your status is already secured through the cap-exempt role. This strategy requires careful immigration counsel but is well-established and legally sound.
Approval rates for cap-exempt employers are often near-perfect, with many reporting zero denials.
F-1 OPT: The Strategic Bridge to H-1B
For international students studying computer science or related fields at US universities, Optional Practical Training (OPT) is the essential bridge between graduation and H-1B sponsorship.
Standard OPT: 12 months of work authorisation following graduation, available to all F-1 students.
STEM OPT Extension: Students who graduate with a qualifying STEM degree (computer science qualifies) can extend their OPT by an additional 24 months — giving up to 36 months of work authorisation to find H-1B sponsorship. During the 36-month window, a student typically has two to three lottery opportunities.
The OPT advantage in 2026: Because OPT-to-H-1B transitions involve a change of status within the United States, the $100,000 supplemental fee generally does not apply. This makes US-based international graduates significantly cheaper to sponsor than overseas hires, and employers increasingly prioritise OPT candidates in their hiring pipelines.
Students on OPT can also work for cap-exempt employers, receiving an H-1B without lottery — and then potentially transfer to a cap-subject employer later.
Eligibility Requirements for H-1B as a Software Developer
Educational Qualification
A bachelor’s degree (completed or in progress at time of petition) in computer science, software engineering, information systems, mathematics, or a closely related field is the standard requirement. A relevant degree makes the H-1B petition significantly stronger.
Without a directly relevant degree, USCIS may accept a combination of education and experience: generally three years of progressive, specialised experience per year of missing education. An immigration attorney’s evaluation is essential for equivalent-experience cases.
Bootcamp certificates alone do not substitute for a degree. However, a combination of a non-technical degree and several years of documented, specialised software engineering experience can potentially qualify through an equivalency evaluation.
Specialty Occupation Demonstration
The employer must establish that the role is a specialty occupation — meaning it normally requires a bachelor’s degree in a specific specialty as a minimum for entry. For software engineering roles at established tech companies, this is well-precedented. For more generalist “IT” roles or those without clear technical specificity, USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence (RFE).
To minimise RFE risk, job descriptions should be specific about technical requirements, the systems and tools used, the complexity of problems being solved, and the degree-level knowledge required.
English Language
There is no specific English language test requirement for the H-1B visa. However, the ability to communicate effectively in English is implicitly expected for specialty occupation roles, and employers will assess this through interviews.
How to Find H-1B Sponsoring Software Companies
1. USCIS H-1B Employer Data Hub
USCIS publishes a publicly searchable database of H-1B employer data, including number of petitions, approvals, and denials by employer and fiscal year. Use this before applying to verify an employer’s sponsorship track record. A company with zero or very few H-1B approvals and a high denial rate is a significant risk.
2. Department of Labor (DOL) LCA Disclosure Data
The DOL publishes all certified Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) — the first step in any H-1B petition. This data shows you the employer, job title, offered wage, and location for every H-1B filing. Searching DOL LCA data for a company tells you not only whether they sponsor but what they pay.
3. Technology Job Boards
- LinkedIn — filter US tech jobs by “will sponsor H-1B” or “open to visa sponsorship”
- Glassdoor — search “H-1B sponsorship software engineer”
- Indeed — keyword filter “visa sponsorship” in software engineering roles
- Dice.com — tech-focused job board, sponsorship filter available
- Levels.fyi — salary data and job listings at top tech companies
- Blind — anonymous professional network where H-1B sponsorship discussions are common
- Migrate Mate — specialises in connecting international talent with sponsoring employers
4. Direct Applications to Large Tech Employers
Google, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta, and Apple consistently sponsor and have established internal immigration teams. Applying directly to their careers portals is more reliable than relying on third-party job boards. These companies state explicitly in job postings whether sponsorship is available for a given role.
5. Startups (Series B and Later)
Many early-stage startups avoid H-1B sponsorship due to cost and administrative burden. Companies that have raised a Series B or later round often have the HR infrastructure and cash reserves to support sponsorship. Ask about sponsorship policy directly during your first recruiter screen — before investing significant time in the interview process.
The H-1B Application Process: Step by Step
Step 1: Secure a job offer Apply to companies with active H-1B sponsorship histories. Receive a formal offer and confirm the employer will sponsor your H-1B.
Step 2: Employer files a Labor Condition Application (LCA) The employer submits an LCA to the DOL certifying the offered wage meets or exceeds the prevailing wage for the role and location. The DOL typically processes LCAs within 7 business days. No fee for the LCA itself.
Step 3: Electronic registration (March window) The employer pays the $215 registration fee and submits your registration during the March window. Each beneficiary can only be registered once.
Step 4: Lottery selection notification USCIS notifies employers of selected registrations. Under the new wage-weighted system, higher wage levels have proportionally better odds.
Step 5: Full petition filing (if selected) If selected, the employer files a complete I-129 petition with all required documentation. This must be filed within the window USCIS specifies after selection.
Step 6: USCIS adjudication Standard processing: 3 to 6 months. Premium processing ($2,965): decision within 15 business days. If USCIS needs more information, they issue a Request for Evidence (RFE) — the employer’s immigration counsel responds.
Step 7: Visa stamping (if abroad) If you are outside the US, you must attend a visa interview at a US Embassy or Consulate in your country. Visa appointment wait times vary significantly by country and consulate.
Step 8: Entry and activation The H-1B visa is valid from 1 October of the fiscal year. You may enter the US up to 10 days before your start date.
Visa Alternatives for Software Developers
The H-1B is not the only path for international software professionals seeking to work in the United States.
O-1A Visa (Extraordinary Ability)
No lottery, no employer cap, no annual limit. Requires demonstrating extraordinary ability through three of eight criteria: major awards, published work, original contributions of major significance, high salary (typically $200,000+), critical role at distinguished organisations, or media coverage. Best suited for senior engineers, researchers, and tech leaders with strong professional profiles.
L-1 Visa (Intracompany Transferee)
For software engineers already employed by a multinational company who are transferring to a US affiliate. No lottery, no cap. L-1A (managers/executives) leads to the EB-1C green card pathway. Requires at least one year of employment with the company abroad in the past three years.
EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver)
Software engineers with advanced degrees can self-petition for permanent residency without employer sponsorship. Best for engineers whose work has national importance — AI research, cybersecurity, critical infrastructure. Requires demonstrating that the work is in the US national interest and that the engineer has the ability and commitment to advance it.
TN Visa (Canada and Mexico only)
Citizens of Canada and Mexico may qualify for TN status in computer systems analyst roles. No cap, no lottery, but the category is narrower than H-1B — not all software engineering roles qualify. Simpler and faster than H-1B.
E-3 Visa (Australia only)
Australian citizens have a dedicated work visa category with an annual cap of 10,500 — far easier to obtain than H-1B. Renewable indefinitely.
The Path from H-1B to Green Card
Most software developers who work in the US long-term pursue employer-sponsored permanent residency (a green card) through the employment-based immigration system.
EB-1B (Outstanding Researcher/Professor): For researchers with international recognition. Priority processing, no PERM labour certification required.
EB-2 (Advanced Degree / Exceptional Ability): Requires a US master’s degree or foreign equivalent, or exceptional ability. Typically requires PERM labour certification unless using the National Interest Waiver.
EB-3 (Skilled Worker): For bachelor’s-level professionals. Requires PERM labour certification. Most software engineers sponsored through the EB-3 category.
The critical issue — country backlogs: Nationals of India and China face multi-decade backlogs in the EB-2 and EB-3 categories due to the per-country annual limits in US immigration law. This is the most significant structural challenge for Indian and Chinese software developers seeking permanent residency. EB-1 categories have shorter (though not negligible) backlogs for these nationals. Immigration planning for Indian engineers in particular requires long-term strategy, and an immigration attorney’s guidance is essential.
Practical Tips for International Software Developers
Get your H-1B through OPT if at all possible. Attending a US university, completing a STEM degree, and transitioning from OPT to H-1B is the lowest-cost, highest-odds pathway. The $100,000 supplemental fee exemption alone makes this dramatically more attractive than overseas applications in 2026.
Target Level III or IV roles. Under the new wage-weighted system, applying to senior-level roles with higher prevailing wage classifications gives you meaningfully better lottery odds. Build the experience to qualify for senior positions before entering the H-1B cycle if you can.
Pursue cap-exempt positions as a strategic backup. University research labs, national laboratories, and university-affiliated hospitals are underutilised by international software professionals. A position at MIT’s CSAIL, Stanford’s AI Lab, or a DOE national lab provides H-1B status without lottery exposure, competitive salaries, and strong credentials for subsequent private-sector roles.
Use the DOL LCA database before applying. Research what a company actually pays on H-1B applications before negotiating your salary. This is public data and puts you in a far stronger negotiating position.
Engage qualified immigration counsel early. The H-1B process is complex, deadlines are strict, and errors can result in lost selections or denied petitions. Many mid-size and large tech companies cover the cost of immigration attorneys for sponsored employees — ask about this.
Never pay for a job offer or a petition filing. Employers must pay H-1B petition costs. Any arrangement that requires you to pay for your own H-1B filing (outside of personal legal advice) is likely illegal and potentially fraudulent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I’m not selected in the lottery? You remain in any existing visa status (e.g., OPT, if applicable). You must wait until the next registration period (the following March) to try again. There are no appeals and no alternative routes into the cap-subject H-1B lottery after the March window closes.
Can I work for multiple employers on an H-1B? Yes, through concurrent employment. Each employer must file a separate H-1B petition. This is how the cap-exempt concurrent strategy works.
Can I change employers on an H-1B? Yes. Under H-1B portability rules (AC21), you can begin working for a new employer once the new employer has filed a new H-1B petition on your behalf — you do not have to wait for USCIS approval. The new role must be in the same or a similar occupational classification.
Is a master’s degree worth it specifically for H-1B purposes? A US master’s degree gives you a second chance in the lottery (the master’s cap pool) plus the regular cap pool. It also places you at a higher wage level classification, improving your odds under the new weighted system. However, the decision should be based on overall career and financial considerations, not immigration strategy alone.
Can my H-4 spouse work in the US? H-4 spouses of H-1B holders who have an approved I-140 (immigrant petition) or have been granted H-1B extensions beyond six years can apply for an H-4 EAD (Employment Authorisation Document), which permits unrestricted work. This benefit has faced legal challenges but remains in effect as of mid-2026.
Conclusion
The H-1B visa remains the primary and most well-established route for international software developers to build careers in the United States. In 2026, the landscape is more competitive and more expensive than it has ever been — but it is also more merit-based. The new wage-weighted lottery system rewards higher-skilled, higher-paid roles, which aligns well with experienced software professionals targeting senior positions at quality employers.
The technology sector’s dominance of H-1B sponsorship reflects a simple reality: the US cannot produce enough software engineers to satisfy its own demand. Major tech companies depend on international talent and have the immigration infrastructure to sponsor it efficiently. The path is not easy — the lottery, the backlogs, the costs — but for a well-qualified developer with a clear strategy, it is navigable and ultimately rewarding.
Understand the new system, target the right employers and roles, pursue OPT if you can, explore cap-exempt options seriously, and plan your green card pathway from day one. With preparation and patience, a sponsored software engineering career in the United States is within reach.
Information current as of June 2026. H-1B rules, fees, and lottery outcomes are subject to change. The $100,000 supplemental fee and wage-weighted lottery are subject to ongoing legal and regulatory review. Always consult a qualified US immigration attorney before making decisions. Official USCIS information is available at uscis.gov.