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

If you feel like you’ve been waiting on your PERM for ages, you’re not alone. According to the most recent PERM processing times data, the Department of Labor is still reviewing PERM cases filed more than a year ago.

But there’s a silver lining: Your spot in the Green Card line is secured. The day your employer files your PERM, you lock in your priority date on the Visa Bulletin. That date acts as your place in line for a Green Card, so even if the process is slow, you can trust that your case is still moving forward.

To help you understand the PERM process—from how it fits into your Green Card journey, to why it takes so long and what your options are while you’re waiting—we’re hosting a webinar on Jan. 22 all about PERM. Register here to secure your spot and get your questions answered by Manifest immigration attorney Ana Gabriela Urizar. 

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.”