Vietnamese Names Listed Incorrectly on U.S. Visas and Green Cards
There has always been a challenge with some U.S. government offices incorrectly listing Vietnamese citizen’s names on government documents such as visas and Form I-551 “Green Cards” because Vietnamese passports list names in order of last name (or “family name” or “surname”) followed by middle name then first name. Moreover, some Vietnamese have more than […]
Biden Administration Initiative to Attract STEM Talent to the United States
Pursuant to a Biden Administration initiative, on January 21, 2022, the Departments of State (“DOS”) and Homeland Security (“DHS”) announced new actions related to STEM work authorization, J-1 Researchers, National Interest Waivers, and O-1 Extraordinary Ability Workers. You can read the White House Fact Sheet here. “The Biden-Harris Administration believes that one of America’s greatest […]
DOS Extends Certain In-Person Non-Immigrant Visa Interviews Through 2022
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has extended the authority of consular officers to waive certain in-person non-immigrant visa interviews through the end of 2022. Along with B-1/ B-2 interview waivers, F, M, and J Academic visa applicant waivers have been extended to the end of 2022 under the same conditions as the previous […]
DOS Publishes Interactive Non-Immigrant Visa Waiting Time Webpage
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has published an interactive webpage allowing non-immigrant visa applicants to check the estimated waiting time for interviews at specific Embassies and Consulates. By clicking on Visa Appointment Wait Times, applicants will be able to identify approximate waiting time for B-1/ B-2 Visitor Visas, Student or Exchange Visas (i.e. […]
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States Department of State (“DOS”) has announced that the earlier tiered approach aimed at reducing backlogs has been rescinded.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 […]
DOS Authorizes F M and J Academic Visa Interview Waivers Through End of 2021
As an additional measure aimed at reducing visa application backlogs and freeing up available resources at U.S. Embassies and Consulates, the United States Department of State (“DOS”) will allow consular officers to waive in-person interviews for F, M, and J academic visas. The new DOS policy, which will run until the end of the year, […]
Enterline and Partners Receives Approval for Highly Complex I-130 Petition
Enterline and Partners is pleased to share it has obtained an approval for a complex I-130 Petition for Alien Relative (“I-130 Petition) for one of our Vietnamese clients. Our client, a U.S. citizen (Joe) and his Vietnamese wife (Jane), consulted with us following Jane’s multiple non-immigrant and immigrant visa refusals. A few years ago, Jane […]
Trump Extends Restrictions on Immigrant and Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Through March
United States President Donald Trump has extended an earlier Presidential Proclamation restricting certain immigrant and nonimmigrant visa categories from consular processing in response to the growing COVID-19 pandemic. The Executive Order (“EO”), which was first issued in April 2020, restricted certain immigrant visa applicants from receiving their visas for at least sixty (60 days). The […]
Department of State Announces Plans to Resume Routine Visa Services
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has announced that routine visa processing at Embassies and Consulates will resume on a post-by-post basis consistent with DOS’s guidance for safely returning to the full services. As on the ground conditions improve, DOS will begin providing services leading to the eventual full resumption of immigrant and nonimmigrant […]