U.S. State Department Introduces Online Passport Application for First-Time Applicants and Redesigned 2028 U.S. Passport

What changed

The U.S. Department of Justice has announced a final rule. This rule changes immigration fees. It is through its Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). These changes are for the financial year 2027. They start on 1 October 2026. This is a required update due to inflation for fees under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). These fees cover documents like Notices of Appeal and various requests. The update makes sure the department follows legal rules.

What changed

The U.S. Department of Labour has issued a final rule. This rule cancels 29 CFR Part 42. Part 42 used to make formal procedures mandatory for agencies to coordinate enforcement efforts regarding migrant and seasonal farmworkers. This change takes effect from 30 September 2026. It aims to make operations more efficient by removing old rules. These old rules no longer match how the Department is organised or how it works. The Department says this change will make its enforcement strategy fit better with modern, flexible, and effective ways of coordinating that it already uses.

What changed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is adjusting fees for the Employment-Based Immigrant Visa, Fifth Preference (EB-5) Immigrant Investor Program, with the changes set to take effect on 30 November 2026. This measure ensures that the programme's operational costs, including application processing, background checks, eligibility verification, and fraud detection, are fully covered by filing fees rather than taxpayer funds. The updated fee schedule also supports strengthened integrity measures, such as compliance reviews, audits, and site visits, as directed by the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. Consequently, individuals seeking lawful permanent residence through the EB-5 programme will face increased application costs.

What changed

The U.S. Department of State has implemented a new policy to restrict visa issuance for individuals impeding the prompt resolution of international parental child abduction cases. This measure, announced on 28 September 2026, applies to foreign government officials, judicial personnel, law enforcement officials, and others, including their immediate family members, who are responsible for or complicit in obstructing the return of children to the United States or their country of habitual residence. The primary consequence is the denial of U.S. visas for those identified under this policy, serving as an accountability tool to encourage compliance with international obligations.