USCIS Once Again Extends Flexibility for Responding to Agency Requests
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) is again extending the time period within which applicants, petitioners, and requestors may respond to agency requests. This flexibility applies if the issuance date listed on the request, notice, or decision is on or between March 1, 2020, and March 26, 2022 and […]
Department of State Waives Personal Appearances and In-Person Oath Requirement for Certain Immigrant Visa Applicants Due to COVID-19
Due to COVID-19, the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has implemented a Temporary Final Rule (“TFR”) providing flexibility for consular officers to waive the personal appearance of certain repeat immigrant visa applicants who were approved for an immigrant visa in the same classification and on the same basis as the current application on or after […]
Enterline and Partners Successfully Expedites CR-1 Visa Through DCF Proxy Marriage
The COVID-19 Pandemic has in no doubt permanently altered the way business is done across many industries and professions. From international borders closures to internal movement control orders, activities and transactions which were once routine and seamless are now complex and difficult. Despite all of the hardship caused by the pandemic, there are many silver […]
International Air Travelers to the U.S. Now Require a Negative COVID-19 Test within 24 Hours of Departure
Effective December 6, 2021, the United States Centers for Disease Control (“CDC”) has established new rules requiring international air travelers arriving in the United States to obtain a negative COVID-19 test within 24 hours of departure. Under the current rules, vaccinated international air travelers may present a negative test result obtained within 72 hours of […]
DOS Rescinds Tiered Approach Allowing Resumption of More Consular Services
As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to ease, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) has announced that the earlier tiered approach aimed at reducing backlogs has been rescinded. Instead of the tiered approach, DOS will focus on reducing wait times for all consular processing services while also protecting the health and safety of applicants and […]
Nonimmigrant Travelers Required to Present Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Beginning November 8 2021
Beginning November 8, 2021, nonimmigrants arriving in the United States by air will be required to present proof that they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Presidential Proclamation 10294 (“Proclamation”), which was reported by media outlets to be a work in progress as early as August 2021 will remain in effect until termination by the White […]
Potential Waivers for COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Immigrants
All immigrants to the U.S. must pass a medical examination prior to their visa interview. One of the criteria determined at the medical examination is whether the intending immigrant has received vaccinations required to be eligible to immigrate. Beginning October 1, 2021, most immigrants will be required to receive a COVID-19 vaccination before receiving their […]
Why is Your Case Taking So Long? USCIS Processing Delays Remain at Crisis Levels
Why Hasn’t Your Case Been Decided Yet? Nationwide, you and millions of families, businesses, and individuals applying for immigration benefits are waiting longer for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) to process and approve applications and petitions. Based on previously available USCIS data, in Fiscal Year (“FY”) 2014, an average case took about five months […]
USCIS Continues Its Additional 60 Days for Responding to Agency Requests
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced that in response to the ongoing COVID pandemic, it is once again extending flexibility that it announced on March 30, 2020 in responding to agency requests. The USCIS is granting an additional 60 calendar days to respond to following requests: Requests for Evidence; Continuations to Request […]
DOS Updates on Immigrant Visa Processing Delays
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has announced updates to the tiered approach to remove backlogs and resume normal consular operations at embassies and consulates that have been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to DOS, Tier 1, which includes immediate relative intercountry adoption visas and age-out cases will also accept emergency cases […]
