U.S. State Department Updates Travel Advisory for China and Macau SAR: Retains Level 2 for Mainland China and Hong Kong, Level 3 for Macau SAR, with Expanded Details on Risks

What changed

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated a proposed rulemaking to introduce substantial new fees for Optional Practical Training (OPT) for F-1 nonimmigrant students. This measure, announced on 8 October 2026, aims to enhance the integrity of the immigration system by deterring fraud and protecting the interests of U.S. workers. Under the proposal, an initial OPT application would incur a fee of $70,000, while any subsequent OPT would cost $30,000. Stakeholders have until 9 November 2026 to submit comments on these proposed changes.

What changed

On 21 October 2026, the United States Department of State announced new security agreements between the United States and Paraguay. Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau signed the agreements two days earlier, on 19 October 2026, at Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The agreements cover two distinct areas: border security and the interception of civilian aircraft. The migration measure is a Memorandum of Intent on border-security cooperation. Under this arrangement, the United States will provide Paraguay with the Personal Identification Secure Comparison and Evaluation System (PISCES), alongside training and technical knowledge transfer. Paraguay's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the system is designed to strengthen immigration controls and help officials monitor passenger movements at points of entry across the country.

What changed

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented an inflation-based increase for certain immigration-related fees, effective from 16 October 2026. This adjustment, mandated by H.R. 1, impacts specific application fees, including those for asylum applications, travel documents, employment authorisation, and Temporary Protected Status. Requests postmarked on or after this date must include the new, higher fee, otherwise they will be rejected. This ensures ongoing alignment with inflationary costs as specified in the legislation.

What changed

The United States Department of Justice proposes amending its Privacy Act regulations to exempt records within the Executive Office for Immigration Review's new "Fraud and Abuse Prevention Program Records" system from specific provisions of the Privacy Act. This proposed rule, published on 15 October 2026, aims to safeguard law enforcement sensitive materials, including information on complainants, witnesses, and subjects of investigations related to immigration fraud and abuse. Public comments on this proposal are invited until 16 November 2026, and its implementation would impact individuals' rights to access and amend certain records concerning them held within this system.