Immigration Q&A: August 2026 Visa Bulletin

Welcome back to another episode of the *Nursing in America* live show. This session tackles one of the most pressing topics on every international nurse's mind: what is happening with U.S. immigration right now? Host Ed Skornia is joined by two of the country's leading healthcare immigration attorneys, Chris Musillo and Mike Hammond, to break down the August 2026 Visa Bulletin, embassy delays, visa bans, public charge updates, and much more. Whether you're just starting your immigration journey or deep in the process, this episode gives you the clarity and confidence to keep moving forward. ## **Key Takeaways** - **The August 2026 Visa Bulletin showed minimal movement.** The EB-3 "All Chargeability Areas" category advanced by one month (to September 1, 2023). The Philippines remained unchanged at August 1, 2023. India EB-3 held at January 2014. - **Expect slow movement in September, but watch October closely.** The new U.S. fiscal year begins October 1, and the October Visa Bulletin typically brings the largest forward movement of the year. - **Embassy delays are a major issue.** Staffing shortages and lengthier security vetting are slowing interview scheduling worldwide, particularly in parts of Sub-Saharan Africa. - **A 221(g) notice is not the end.** If your delay is related to a visa ban rather than missing documents, your case is generally held, not closed. - **Country of birth vs. citizenship matters differently** depending on whether you're looking at Visa Bulletin priority dates or visa ban restrictions. Cross-chargeability through a spouse can be a significant advantage. - **Adding a spouse or children to your case is common and manageable** as long as you act before your immigrant visa is issued. - **The proposed $100,000 bond requirement** is unlikely to affect nurses sponsored by AMN Healthcare International based on current analysis. - **If your sponsor withdraws, hope is not lost.** An approved I-140 gives you the ability to recapture your priority date with a new employer. - **Stay focused on the long-term goal.** Delays are real, but healthcare professionals remain highly valued and the pathway to the U.S. is still achievable. ## **Chapters with Timestamps** **04:50 – Welcome and Introduction** Host Ed Skornia opens the show, introduces the episode's focus on immigration anxiety and updates, and welcomes immigration attorneys Chris Musillo and Mike Hammond. **05:55 – August 2026 Visa Bulletin Overview** Chris Musillo breaks down the key numbers from the latest Visa Bulletin. EB-3 All Chargeability Areas moved forward by one month. The Philippines stayed flat. India EB-3 remained unchanged. Most other categories saw little to no movement. **07:24 – What to Expect in the Months Ahead** Ed raises the question that nurses ask most: "When am I going to get to America?" Mike Hammond explains the U.S. government's fiscal year structure, the "use it or lose it" visa system, and why October is the most important bulletin of the year. He also addresses how visa bans and pauses may create spillover numbers that benefit employment-based categories. **10:46 – Embassy Delays: What's Causing Them?** Chris explains why so many applicants are waiting an unusually long time between becoming documentarily qualified and receiving an interview appointment. Key factors include staffing shortages at U.S. consulates and more rigorous background vetting. Advocacy efforts across the healthcare industry are ongoing, though change has been slow. **16:16 – Understanding Country Caps** Mike clarifies why certain countries—India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines—appear separately on the Visa Bulletin. He explains per-country allocation limits and why some nationalities face wait times measured in years while others face waits measured in decades. **19:22 – Visa Bans, Public Charge Restrictions, and 221(g) Notices** Chris addresses why some applicants from countries affected by presidential proclamations are still being called to embassy interviews. He explains how a 221(g) notice works, when a case is at risk of being closed, and when it simply remains on hold pending policy changes. **22:20 – Public Charge Policy Changes** Mike discusses recent changes to public charge rules, including the removal of Biden-era policies and what a potential "totality of the circumstances" approach could mean for nurses. He reassures that healthcare professionals are unlikely to be significantly impacted given their earning levels, though additional documentation requirements may arise. **26:35 – Country of Birth vs. Citizenship and Cross-Chargeability** Chris untangles a common source of confusion: how your country of birth affects your Visa Bulletin priority date versus how your citizenship affects visa ban restrictions. He explains the cross-chargeability rule and how a spouse's country of birth can dramatically reduce waiting times in certain situations. **30:22 – Audience Q&A: Name Changes, Marriage, and Adding Family Members** Ed reads a live question from a nurse who married, changed her name, and had children after filing her original petition. Mike explains how and when to add family members, why name changes are straightforward, and why immigration authorities handle these situations routinely. Chris emphasizes: notify your immigration team as soon as life changes happen. **35:28 – Children Aging Out: The Child Status Protection Act** Chris addresses a question from the chat about children approaching age 21 during a long immigration process. He explains the general rule (over 21 = ineligible as a derivative beneficiary), the important exception under the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA), and how I-140 processing time can be subtracted from a child's age for eligibility purposes. Key message: tell your attorney early. **38:02 – Visiting the U.S. on a Visitor Visa During the EB-3 Process** Mike advises that visiting on a B-1/B-2 visa is acceptable as long as you have a genuine reason for your trip and comply with all visa terms. He strongly cautions against entering with the intent to adjust status, noting this can raise serious fraud or misrepresentation concerns under the current administration. **42:45 – How to Apply with AMN Healthcare International** Ed takes a short break from the Q&A to explain how nurses can apply at **amnhealthcare.com/international**, what to include in your CV, and why candidates with an approved I-140 and established priority date often receive priority consideration. **44:05 – What Else Is the Industry Talking About?** Chris addresses the widely reported $100,000 bond proposal for immigrant visa applicants. He explains why, based on current analysis, this is unlikely to affect nurses with a U.S. job offer at competitive salaries. The panel encourages viewers to stay informed but not to panic. **48:49 – Words of Encouragement** Mike draws a powerful analogy between the immigration journey and earning a university degree—years of effort, moments of doubt, but a finish line that is absolutely worth reaching. He reminds viewers that healthcare professionals are still highly valued and that the vast majority of committed, qualified nurses ultimately succeed. **53:40 – When Your Sponsor Withdraws: What Happens Next?** Chris and Ed address a painful but real scenario: your sponsoring employer pulls back. Chris explains how an approved I-140 enables priority date recapture with a new employer, and why the nursing shortage means your skills remain in strong demand. He also outlines AMN Healthcare International's two pathways—Connetics (direct hire) and O'Grady Peyton International (staffing). **1:01:05 – Emerging Topics: F-1 Regulations and Retrogression** Mike flags significant new F-1 regulatory changes that could affect U.S.-educated international nurses, particularly those who came to the U.S. as students. He also notes that retrogression remains an ongoing conversation, with the October Visa Bulletin just weeks away. **1:03:01 – Closing Remarks and Upcoming Shows** Ed thanks Chris and Mike, recaps the core message of the episode—stay focused on your goal, trust the process, and work with experienced partners—and previews upcoming AMN programs including a July 31 session on protecting your priority date and August immigration academy sessions. ## **Meet the Guests** **Chris Musillo** Chris Musillo is a partner at Musillo Unkenholt Immigration Law Firm, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. He specializes in healthcare immigration law and works closely with nurses, healthcare staffing companies, and hospitals to navigate the complexities of U.S. employment-based immigration. With decades of experience, Chris is a trusted voice in the industry and a frequent contributor to AMN Healthcare International's immigration Q&A series. **Mike Hammond** Mike Hammond is a healthcare immigration attorney with more than 25 years of experience helping international nurses and healthcare professionals navigate the U.S. immigration system. He is known for his ability to explain complex legal concepts in clear, practical terms and for his long-standing partnership with AMN Healthcare International to support nurses throughout their immigration journey. ### **Resources Mentioned:** - AMN Healthcare International: Start your journey to success in the U.S. today. **Subscribe & Share** If you find this episode helpful, don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share it with your fellow healthcare professionals. Together, we can build a thriving community of immigrant nurses in America. Powered by AMN Healthcare Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.