Non-immigrant Visa

Nonimmigrant Visa Dropbox Renewal Eligibility Reverts Back to Pre-COVID Standards

February 18, 2025

Effective immediately, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) has revised the requirements for interview waiver eligibility (commonly referred to as dropbox eligibility) to applicants renewing a nonimmigrant visa in the classification that expired within the past twelve (“12”) months. Previously, some nonimmigrant visa applicants were eligible to renew through

What is a K-3 Nonimmigrant visa?

November 7, 2024

A K-3 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a foreign spouse of a U.S. citizen to enter the United States while their Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (“I-130 Petition”) is undergoing adjudication with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”). The goal of a K-3 is to

USCIS Updates Guidance for F and M Nonimmigrant Visa Classification

October 1, 2024

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has updated its guidance effective immediately regarding when students who are in either F or M nonimmigrant visa classification may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (“OPT”) extensions for Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics (“STEM”) field. The updated guidance, which is found

The New U.S. Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) for United States Citizens

September 26, 2024

On September 16, 2024, the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) launched a new version of the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (“STEP”). The STEP is a free service allowing U.S. citizens and nationals to enroll their trip abroad so DOS can accurately and quickly contact them in case of emergency. Existing

The U.S. Consulate In Ho Chi Minh City Begins Business Visa Facilitation Pilot Program (BVFPP)

August 8, 2024

The U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City has implemented the Business Visa Facilitation Pilot Program (BVFPP). The program is designed to facilitate American companies who want to send Vietnamese employees to the U.S. for business purposes. The program allows those companies to register with the U.S. Consulate in advance

Enterline and Partners Consulting Celebrates American Independence Day at the American Chamber of Commerce Picnic

August 1, 2024

Enterline and Partners Consulting recently took part in a vibrant celebration of the July 4th American Independence Day as a proud sponsor of the annual picnic organized by the American Chamber of Commerce in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The event, held on June 29th, brought together a diverse community

What’s the Difference Between a Proxy Marriage and an Online Marriage for Immigration Purposes?

July 29, 2024

A proxy marriage and an online marriage are distinct types of marital arrangements that cater to different needs and circumstances. For immigration purposes, there are unique differences which between the two that if not properly addressed, could result in either a denial by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS Will Begin Accepting Parole-in-Place Applications on August 19, 2024

July 24, 2024

Following the June 18, 2024 announcement of Parole-in-Place, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) will begin accepting applications beginning August 19, 2024. Applications filed prior to August 19 will be rejected. In order to be considered for Parole-in-Place, which is approved on a case-by-case basis, an applicant must have

How Does a Country Qualify for the United States Visa Waiver Program (ESTA)?

July 19, 2024

The U.S. Visa Waiver Program (“VWP”), Electronic System for Travel Authorization (“ESTA”) is a program of the United States government created to facilitate visa-free travel for eligible citizens from participating countries This program is commonly referred to as ESTA by the general public. A country qualifying for the VWP allows

Enterline and Partners Successfully Expedites Form I-130 Petition with Direct Consular Filing at the U.S. Embassy in Manila

July 16, 2024

Enterline and Partners is pleased to announce that our attorneys have successfully represented their clients through Direct Consular Filing (“DCF”) of a Form I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (“I-130 Petition) at the U.S. Embassy in Manila (“Embassy’). Our clients, a U.S. citizen and a Philippines citizen, were seeking an alternative

Announcement: USCIS to Resume In-Person Services on June 4

June 3, 2020

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

Announcement: Limited American Citizen Services in Vietnam Resume on June 1st

May 29, 2020

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.

Update on Visa Waiver Program Entrants Requesting Satisfactory Departure from Local USCIS Field Offices

May 28, 2020

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

Announcement: USCIS Extends In-Person Services Suspension through June 3rd

April 28, 2020

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

Trump’s Immigration Ban Has Just Been Released. And It’s Not As Bad As We Expected.

April 23, 2020

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

Announcement: DOS Continues to Encourage Medical Professionals with Approved Petitions to Seek an Emergency Visa Appointment

April 13, 2020

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

Announcement: USCIS Extends In-Person Services Suspension through May 3

April 6, 2020

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

Announcement: H-2 Visa Applicants May Be Adjudicated Without an Interview

April 3, 2020

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

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

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