World Visa Academy – Daily Global Visa & Immigration Update Date: 09/05/2026

United States Big Alert – US Consular Officers Now Asking Two New Questions at Every Visa Interview — Wrong Answer Means Instant Refusal

What it means: The US State Department has quietly sent instructions to every American embassy and consulate around the world. Officers are now required to ask two specific questions to anyone applying for a non-immigrant visa — tourist, student, business, or work. The questions are: Have you ever experienced harm or mistreatment in your home country? And do you fear returning to your home country? If the applicant says yes to either question, the visa will be refused on the spot. The reason given is that fear of returning to your country signals possible immigrant intent — which is enough for a non-immigrant visa denial.

Impact: This is massive for consultants. Every single client going for a US tourist visa, student visa, or work visa interview must now be counselled specifically on these two questions. If your client has faced any kind of difficulty back home — and many genuinely have — they need to think very carefully before answering. A yes answer, even if completely honest, can end the application right there. Prepare every client properly before their interview. This is now a standard part of US visa prep.

United States Big Alert – H-2B Seasonal Work Visa Third Allocation Now Open — 18,490 Visas Available for May to September 2026

What it means: The first two rounds of H-2B supplemental visas for 2026 are completely exhausted. USCIS has confirmed the third and final allocation is now open — 18,490 visas plus any leftovers from earlier rounds are available for workers with start dates between May 1 and September 30, 2026. Unlike the first two rounds, this third round does not require workers to be returning workers. Any eligible worker can apply. Filing closes September 15, 2026, or when the cap is hit — whichever comes first.

Impact: If you have any employer clients in the US who hire seasonal workers — hotels, resorts, landscaping, seafood processing — this is the last chance for FY2026 H-2B workers covering summer through September. They need to file now. The first two rounds filled within days of opening. This third round will likely move fast as well. Note for Indian clients — India is still not on the list of H-2B eligible countries, so this visa remains out of reach for Indian nationals.

Canada Big Alert – No Express Entry Draw Again Today — Next Draw Now Firmly Expected Wednesday May 14

What it means: IRCC has still not released any draw since April 29. The last four draws all happened on April 29 in a single cluster  PNP, CEC, French language, and category. The next cluster is now expected around Wednesday May 14 based on IRCC's consistent two-week rhythm. When it comes, experts predict a CEC draw at CRS 513 to 516 with around 4,500 to 5,500 invitations, and a French language draw at CRS as low as 393. A trades or healthcare category draw is also possible.

Impact: Today is a preparation day, not a watching day. Use this quiet window to get every client profile fully updated  language test scores, new job experience, document expiry dates, everything. If you have clients sitting at CRS 380 to 420 who have any French language ability, push them hard to get a TEF or TCF test done immediately. A French draw at CRS 393 could be coming in five days and being even 10 points short means they miss it.

United States Big Alert – Asylum Applicants Have 20 Days Left Before New Fee Rule Kicks In on May 29

What it means: From May 29, every person with a pending asylum application must pay a new Annual Asylum Fee. If that fee is not paid within 30 days of being notified, USCIS will reject the entire asylum application. If the person has no other legal status in the US, removal proceedings will begin automatically. This is not a proposal , it is a confirmed rule that takes effect in 20 days.

Impact: If you have clients with pending I-589 asylum applications, they need to know about this fee requirement right now. Employers who have staff working on EADs tied to a pending asylum case also face risk  if the asylum case is rejected for non-payment, the work permit goes with it. This affects a lot of people quietly. Check every pending asylum case in your files this week.

Pro Tip for Immigration Consultants

The US just added two new interview questions that can kill a visa application on the spot. Before any client walks into a US embassy or consulate for any non-immigrant visa, sit down with them and walk through exactly those two questions.