For many people who are immigrating to the United States, the Department of State (“DOS”) Visa Bulletin is the most important document to watch each month. The Visa Bulletin helps immigrant visa applicants understand their place in line for a visa. Although checking the Visa Bulletin is an essential step
Family-based immigration is an important aspect of the United States immigration system, which allows citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their immediate relatives to immigrate to the United States. One of the family-based immigrant visa categories is the Family-Based Second Preference immigrant visa category, commonly abbreviated as F2A and
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has issued policy guidance for rescheduling biometric appointments at Application Support Centers (“ACS”). The new policy highlights include the following: Rescheduling requests must be made online through myUSCIS or by calling the USCIS Contact Center. The USCIS will not accept rescheduling requests
The United States immigration system is designed to ensure that individuals seeking to enter the country do so lawfully and with genuine intentions. As part of this effort, one factor that U.S. immigration law considers is the concept of “preconceived intent”: the intention of individuals to engage in activities that
As of April 2022, the United States Customs and Border Protection Agency (“CBP”) implemented its “Simplified Arrival” program at all Ports of Entry inclusive of 238 airports, 34 seaports, and land ports. As part of that program, in August 2022 CBP implemented a pilot program called “Stampless Entry” to eliminate
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has confirmed that previously proposed nonimmigrant visa fees will now go into effect on June 17, 2023. Visa application fees for visitor visas for business or tourism (B-1/B-2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based NIVs, such as student and exchange visitor visas (F,
The United States Department of State will delay increasing certain nonimmigrant visa application fees until June 17, 2023. The key fee changes implemented by the rule are as follows: Non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa applications including B-1/ B-2 Visitor Visas and J-1 Student Exchange Visas will be raised from $160 to $185.
Effective May 11, 2023, international air passengers departing for the United States will no longer be required to present proof of a COVID-19 vaccine as a prerequisite to board a flight to the United States. The new policy, which comes almost a year after the United States ended its requirement
Both an I-134 Affidavit of Support and an I-864 Affidavit of Support are legal documents used by U.S. consular officers to demonstrate an agreement to provide financial support for a foreign national within the U.S. immigration system. However, there are some notable differences between the two documents. An I-134 Affidavit
Effective May 30, 2023, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) will be increasing certain nonimmigrant visa application fees. Fees for B-1/ B-2 Visitor (Tourist and Business) Visas and J-1 Student and Exchange Visas will increase from US$160 to $185. The DOS will increase fees for certain petition-based nonimmigrant visas
The Trump Administration is rescinding its policy which would require foreign students to depart the United States if they are only taking classes online. The policy reversal came because of heavy criticism from both Republicans and Democrats who argued that the new rule would be disruptive to students and undermine
President Donald Trump today amended a previously signed executive order (EO) to expand the current immigration ban to include certain nonimmigrant visa applicants. The updated EO, formally titled “Proclamation Suspending the Entry of Immigrants Who Pose Risks to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the COVID-19 Outbreak,”
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is scheduled to resume non-emergency in-person services on June 4th. On March 18, USCIS suspended routine in-person services at its field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As USCIS services recommence, offices will reduce the number
The United States Mission to Vietnam which includes the U.S. Embassy in Hanoi and the Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City has announced the resumption of limited American Citizen Services (“ACS”) beginning on June 1st. Interested U.S. citizens who are seeking ACS assistance including Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, U.S.
Individuals in the United States admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”) are not allowed to file for an extension of status; moreover, the maximum period of admission is three months. However, those admitted under the VWP who are unable to depart before their approved period of admission because of
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has announced that in-person services at its offices will reopen as early as June 4th in compliance with local and state orders. In-person services at USCIS include field offices, asylum offices, and application support centers. During this extended closure period, USCIS will
Today U.S. President Donald Trump signed his threatened Executive Order (‘EO”) as the “Proclamation Suspending Entry of Immigrants Who Present Risk to the U.S. Labor Market During the Economic Recovery Following the Covid-19 Outbreak.” The proclamation becomes effective on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 11:59 PM (ET), and suspends the
The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has reiterated its earlier announcement that despite the worldwide suspension of routine visa appointments, U.S. embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and critical visa services. Healthcare professionals with an approved non-immigrant or immigrant petition such as an I-129 Petition for Nonimmigrant Workers
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will extend in-person services suspension at Field Offices, Asylum Offices and Application Support Centers (“ACS”) through May 3 unless otherwise announced. While the extended closure covers interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and biometric collections, USCIS will continue to provide emergency and essential services that do not
As a result of the Coronavirus pandemic, the Department of State (“DOS”) has authorized consular officers at U.S. Embassies and Consulates to expand the categories of H-2 visa applicants whose application can be adjudicated without an in-person interview. The new policy allows interviewing consular officers the ability to waive in-person
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