Fragomen

Fragomen Partner Paige Taylor will speak at the Global Workforce Leadership Summit: Houston Inaugural Leadership Forum – The Future of Global Workforce Management on Friday, August 28, 2026, in Houston, Texas. Paige will participate in the executive panel, "Immigration, Compliance & National Security" which will explore the evolving immigration landscape and the growing intersection of immigration, legal compliance, national security, technology access and geopolitical developments.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a final rule replacing the longstanding Duration of Status (D/S) admission framework with fixed periods of stay for individuals in the F, J and I nonimmigrant classifications. The regulation creates new immigration obligations for affected foreign nationals and their dependents, including the requirement to file for USCIS extensions of stay to prolong their study, engage in post-completion OPT or obtain a STEM extension of OPT.

The situation The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has launched Phase II of the Trusted Employer Scheme (TES) inviting eligible corporate employers to submit an expression of interest. Phase II introduces two additional pathways, each with its own scorecard and eligibility criteria, while updating the existing South African-based operations pathway selection criteria and scoring framework. A closer look Two additional pathways introduced.

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For many individuals, families and businesses, the need for long-term immigration planning becomes clear during moments of change. It may be a visa renewal that raises bigger questions, a family move that becomes more complex than expected or a business decision that depends on how quickly people can move, work and settle across borders. For others, the issue arises in a corporate context.

In an immigration environment marked by ongoing uncertainty, employers are increasingly reassessing visa categories that may offer greater predictability for certain roles. One option receiving renewed attention is the J-1 Research Scholar visa, particularly among companies engaged in structured research and development activities. Although the J‑1 is often associated with universities or academic exchanges, it is not limited to those settings.

Effective August 1, 2026, the Department of State (DOS) will realign visa operations in Africa to regional hubs. The agency says the reorganization is meant to promote uniform screening, vetting and adjudication standards, as well as improve efficiency. The realignment will impact all routine visa services, including both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas. The agency confirmed that the realignment will not change the operating status of any of the embassies or consulates.

Effective January 1, 2027, nationals of African countries will be permitted to enter Chad without a visa for tourism and business travel. This landmark initiative is intended to advance African integration, facilitate the free movement of people and goods, and promote foreign direct investment across the continent.

As the social security and pension landscape continues to evolve, staying ahead of regulatory change has never been more important.

Join Fragomen’s Private Client Practice for a live webinar exploring alternative residency pathways across the Gulf, Southeast Asia, and Latin America. When it comes to residency by investment, destinations such as Portugal, Greece, the UAE, and the Caribbean often lead the conversation. However, many practical and high-value residency options available today are sometimes overlooked.