What changed – and what it means for EB-3 workers from Bangladesh

1. September 18, 2026

   New public-charge rules In force

   USCIS has rescinded the 2022 public-charge rule. For green-card applications filed inside the U.S. on or after 18 September 2026, officers can weigh more public benefits and more facts, with wider discretion. The State Department has issued its own new guidance to consular officers abroad.

   For you: Your interview is in Dhaka, so the State Department guidance applies. Officers ask harder questions about how the family will live: bring the job offer and proof of savings or support.

   Source: USCIS Policy Manual Vol. 8 Part G; U.S. Department of State
2. August 25, 2026

   Immigrant visa interviews paused worldwide No end date announced

   The State Department stopped scheduling immigrant visa interviews in every country while consular officers train on the new public-charge guidance. Booked appointments were cancelled with a promise to reschedule. No official restart date had been published at our last check; some embassies were reported to be interviewing again.

   For you: PERM, I-140 and NVC document review go on. If your interview was cancelled you do not need to apply again – wait for the new date and keep your documents valid.

   Source: U.S. Department of State; reports by immigration law firms (Aug–Sep 2026)
3. August 21, 2026

   Court strikes down the 75-country visa pause Court ruling · appealed

   A federal court in New York (CLINIC v. Rubio) ruled that pausing immigrant visas for whole nationalities was beyond the State Department’s power and set the policy aside. The State Department told the court on 28 August that the pause is no longer in effect. The government appealed; on 19 October 2026 the appeals court left the policy struck down but temporarily paused the part of the ruling that orders refused cases to be reconsidered.

   For you: New Bangladeshi applicants are treated like everyone else again. For cases already refused only because of the pause, the State Department says it is still re-reviewing them, with no end date – follow the embassy’s instructions.

   Source: CLINIC v. Rubio (S.D.N.Y.; 2nd Circuit order of 19 October 2026); U.S. Department of State
4. June 1, 2026

   Dhaka: immigrant visa process in two visits In force

   The U.S. Embassy in Dhaka now requires at least two visits: a document review (with fingerprints and photo), then the interview, usually in the same week.

   For you: Plan travel and a place to stay in Dhaka for that week, for every family member who is called.

   Source: U.S. Embassy Dhaka – immigrant visa instructions (October 2026)
5. March 27, 2026

   Proposal to raise PERM wage levels Proposal only

   The Department of Labor proposed higher prevailing-wage levels for H-1B and PERM (for example the entry level would move from the 17th to the 34th wage percentile). Comments closed on 26 May 2026. It is not a final rule.

   For you: Nothing changes for your PERM today. If it becomes final, new PERM filings would need higher wage offers, which could make some unskilled jobs harder to sponsor.

   Source: Federal Register 2026-06017 (27 March 2026)
6. January 21, 2026

   Immigrant visas paused for 75 countries, including Bangladesh Ended

   The State Department stopped issuing immigrant visas to nationals of 75 countries, citing public-charge concerns. Interviews could still take place but visas were not issued.

   For you: Ended by the court ruling of 21 August 2026. PERM and I-140 processing never stopped, so time in line was not lost.

   Source: U.S. Department of State
7. January 1, 2026

   Expanded U.S. travel ban Bangladesh not affected

   A presidential proclamation of 16 December 2025 fully or partly suspended entry, including immigrants, for nationals of 39 countries from 1 January 2026.

   For you: Bangladesh is not on either list. Korea is not either.

   Source: Presidential Proclamation, 16 December 2025

Visa Bulletin history →Visa Bulletin email alerts →

1. 1
   Keep NVC contact details current

   Interview invitations and rescheduling notices come by email. Check spam too.

2. 2
   Do not let documents expire

   Passports, police certificates and medical results have limited validity. Ask GVS before renewing anything – timing matters.

3. 3
   Expect stricter money questions

   Under the new public-charge guidance officers look harder at whether a family can support itself. Bring proof of the U.S. job offer and of savings or support, as your embassy list says.

4. 4
   Ignore rumours, read the source

   Social-media posts often mix up proposals and rules. This page labels each item; your NVC or embassy letter is always the final word.