Immigrant Visa

Announcement: Medical Professionals with Approved Petitions Encouraged to Seek an Expedited Visa Interview

April 2, 2020

The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) is encouraging medical professionals with an approved immigrant or non-immigrant petition (Form I-129, Form I-140) or a certificate of eligibility in an approved exchange program to request for an expedited appointment at their nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Although DOS has instructed consular services

Announcement: Extended deadlines to respond to RFEs and NOIDs

April 1, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced that it is extending the deadline to reply to requests for evidence (“RFE”) and notices of intent to deny (“NOID”) in response to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. For applicants and petitioners who receive an RFE or NOID dated between March 1st and

Announcement: USCIS Extends In-Person Services Suspension Through April 7, 2020

March 27, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will extend the suspension of in-person services at field offices, asylum offices and application support centers through April 7, 2020. The USCIS had originally cancelled in-person operations on March 18th and was expected to recommence on April 1st in an effort to help contain

My Immigrant Visa Expires and I am Unable to Travel Due to Coronavirus Travel Restrictions

March 25, 2020

On March 19, 2020, the Department of State suspended all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa interview appointments as a response to the growing Coronavirus pandemic. International travel restrictions have been put in place around the world in an attempt to control the spread of the virus. With no predetermined expiration

Announcement: USCIS Temporarily Accepts Electronic Reproduced Signature on All Forms

March 22, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that it will accept benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures for submissions dated March 21, 2020 and thereafter. The policy change was made in response to the Coronavirus National Emergency declared by President Donald Trump on March 13, 2020. While USCIS

Announcement: USCIS Suspends Form I-129 and I-140 Premium Processing

March 21, 2020

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has temporarily suspended its premium processing option for all Form I-129 and I-140 petitions until further notice due to the ongoing efforts to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. Petitions using a Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing accepted prior to March 20, 2020

Announcement: USCIS Suspending In-Person Services from March 18 through April 1, 2020

March 20, 2020

As of March 18th, all United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) in-person services at all field offices, asylum offices and Application Support Centers (“ASC”) are suspended in an effort to contain the spread of the Coronavirus. In-person services are scheduled to resume on April 1st. USCIS field offices will

Announcement: All Routine U.S. Visa Interviews in Vietnam Cancelled

March 19, 2020

The U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City has announced that all routine visa interviews will be cancelled as of March 19th in an effort to impede the spread of the Coronavirus. Applicants with an urgent travel matter may request an expedited appointment which

Announcement: All Visa Interviews at the U.S. Embassy in Manila are Cancelled

March 16, 2020

In light of the Philippines government decision to impose a city-wide lockdown around Metro Manila to contain the Coronavirus, the U.S. Embassy has announced that all immigrant and non-immigrant visa interviews have been cancelled as of March 16, 2020. Visa interviews will resume as soon as possible. More information can

National Interest Waivers for EB-2 Applicants

March 16, 2020

The Employment Based Second Preference Immigrant Visa Category (EB-2) Advanced Degree Holder and Person of Exceptional Ability with National Interest Waivers. Previously we wrote about the qualifications for an Employment Based Second Preference (EB-2) Immigrant Visa which is for persons who have an advanced degree or persons with exceptional ability

USCIS Updates Policy Manual on Untimely Filed Extensions and Change of Status Requests

January 31, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated its Policy Manual concerning untimely filed extensions of stay and change of status requests. Generally, certain foreign nationals who are admitted to the United States as nonimmigrants for a specific period of time may file a Form I-539, Application to

Enterline and Partners Successfully Overcomes Lengthy 221g Refusal in Manila

January 25, 2024

In late 2021, our client (Joe), a U.S. citizen married his Philippines citizen wife (Jane) through an online marriage under the laws of the State of Utah. Following the marriage, Joe filed a Form I-130 Petition for Jane. After completing the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) adjudication process

What Company Relationships are Required for an L-1A Employee?

January 23, 2024

The L-1A visa is a non-immigrant visa category for multinational companies to transfer qualified employees from a foreign company to a U.S.-based office in an executive or managerial capacity. There are two key relationships that can exist between the foreign company and the U.S. company to qualify for an the

Lawful Permanent Residents and Other Foreign Nationals of the United States Must Always Update Their Address if They Move

January 16, 2024

In the United States, maintaining accurate and up-to-date records is crucial for individuals holding Lawful Permanent Resident status and those on nonimmigrant visas or in other status. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) requires that foreign nationals promptly update their address whenever they move. Importance of Address Updates: The

USCIS Announces Inflation Adjustment to Premium Processing Fees

January 5, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will increase Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing filing fees. After leaving these fees unchanged for three (3) years, the charges for certain premium processing cases will increase from $1500 to $1685, $1750 to $1965, and $2500 to $2805, depending on the

DOS Extends Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers Through 2024

December 27, 2023

The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has consular officers’ authority to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visas from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The announcement, which was made on December 21, 2023 replaces the previous policy extending nonimmigrant visa waivers through December 31, 2023 and allows

White House Announces Pilot Program for H-1B Stateside Renewals

December 22, 2023

The White House has given the approval for a pilot program allowing a limited number of foreign nationals who are in the United States on H-1B nonimmigrant visas to renew their visas without having to leave the country. The United States Department of State indicated that the pilot program, RIN

Biden Issues Presidential Proclamation Suspending Entry to Individuals Engaged in Significant Corruption

December 20, 2023

On December 11, 2023, U.S. President Joseph Biden issued Proclamation 10685, Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons Enabling Corruption (“Proclamation”). The Proclamation, which also includes immediate family members is intended to prevent individuals who engage in significant corruption from accessing the United States. The Proclamation, which is

USCIS Clarifies Sustainment Period Policy from the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022

December 15, 2023

On October 12, 2023, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) posted Questions and Answers to announce new policy following the passing of the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“RIA”) on March 15, 2022. With the Q&A, USCIS announces its interpretation of the sustainment period following the

What is the Adam Walsh Act Child Protection and Safety Act?

November 29, 2023

The Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (“AWA”) is a U.S. federal statute that aims to protect children from sexual exploitation and violent crimes. The AWA was named after Adam Walsh, a child who was abducted and murdered in the State of Florida in 1981. Following young

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