Weekly immigration insights and plain-language updates to make the system clearer, simpler, and easier to navigate.

The phrase “extraordinary ability” often stops qualified professionals from even considering the O-1. But USCIS approval data shows that when applicants meet the criteria, the O-1 isn’t a long shot—it’s a consistently approvable visa, with few RFEs issued and stable approval rates even as filings increase year over year:

In many visa categories, rising demand leads to more scrutiny, more RFEs, and lower approval rates. The O-1 has followed a different pattern, making it a realistic and exciting option for those qualified. 

Want to learn more about O-1 visa approval trends and what kind of cases are getting approved today? Register now for our Jan. 20 webinar to get your questions answered by ex-USCIS officer and Manifest Law immigration attorney, Evan Law. 

Today’s memo is brought to you by Ana Gabriela Urizar, an immigration lawyer with nearly a decade of experience and over 15,000 cases filed.

As the new year begins, H-1B visa applicants in India are still experiencing severe appointment delays. 

Last month, the State Department instructed consular officers to review social media profiles more thoroughly. As a result, applicants started seeing their interviews pushed back months; as of January 10, prospective H-1B workers continue to report rescheduled appointments. 

If your respective consular office has rescheduled your visa interview, don’t panic. You may be able to request an expedited or emergency appointment if you have proof of:

If you don’t qualify for an expedited interview, you can still take action. First, I recommend contacting your employer ASAP to request an adjusted start date. It’s also a good idea to closely monitor appointment openings on your consulate’s website or with a tool like CheckVisaSlots.

H-1B applicants interested in an expedited interview will need to draft a compelling request with strong supporting evidence. Get started with our emergency visa appointment guide here.

This week, Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar chimes in with her thoughts on the latest headlines. 

💰 USCIS rules to increase premium processing fees. Effective on March 1, 2026, the cost to request expedited case review from USCIS will go up by 5.72% due to inflation.

Gabriela’s insight: “These are standard inflationary adjustments, so no actual changes have been made to who qualifies for premium processing and how they can request that. If you need help filing Form I-907, consult with an immigration attorney first.”

🇮🇳 More Indian women are applying and getting approved for the H-1B visa. The latest data from USCIS shows that female representation in the global skilled workforce has increased consistently for India.

Gabriela’s insight: “These trends show that the gender gap in skilled professions continues to steadily decline. Indian women with H-1Bs should think strategically about their next steps, and consider long-term options such as the EB-1 or EB-2 Green Card.”

To qualify for the EB-1A, you need to show that you’re among the top in your field, usually by showing proof of sustained national or international recognition. 

If you're still gathering the evidence needed to meet these standards, pursuing opportunities to demonstrate your extraordinary or exceptional ability can make a real difference. Activities like judging industry awards, publishing in international journals, or being recognized by peers can add credibility to your petition.

Below are two upcoming opportunities that may help you add strong evidence to your petition:

SC Awards 2026:

This awards program offers information security vendors, service providers, and professionals with operations in the U.S. or Canada a chance to earn industry recognition. 

Apply to become a judge by January 26, and use your expertise to help others in your industry. 

Expert Insight: This is a good opportunity for individuals with cybersecurity experience who would like to add variety to their resume. Because these awards include entries from outside the U.S., too, they carry more weight than smaller, local award competitions would.

The International Journal of Computer and Telecommunications Networking:

If you’re a researcher or practitioner in networking, security, or AI, this publication is calling for papers on the use of AI for security in networked cyber-physical systems (CPS). The deadline to apply for this opportunity is January 31.

Expert Insight: Evidence of expertise in a growing field like AI is important to include in a visa petition, and this publication is international, which expands the reach of your work. 

Strategic awards, publications, and peer recognition can make your petition narrative stronger. Manifest Law offers evidence support coaching for clients who have the right profile and need support in specific experiences. Matching with opportunities.