DOS Confirms Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases to Take Effect June 17, 2023
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, M, and J visas), will […]
DOS to Delay Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Fees Until June 17, 2023
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. H, L, O, P, Q, […]
DOS to Raise Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Fees
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 including H, L, O, P, […]
The Visa Waiting Time for the Family-Based First Preference Immigrant Visa Category
Family-based immigration is an important aspect of the United States immigration system, which allows citizens and lawful permanent residents to sponsor their close relatives. One of the family-based immigrant visa categories is the first preference category, which is for unmarried adult children (21 years or older) of U.S. citizens; often referred to as the F1 […]
USCIS Issues New Policy Guidelines In Calculating a Child’s Age under the Child Status Protection Act
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) has issued new guidelines in the agency’s policy manual in determining when an immigrant visa number “becomes available” for purposes of calculating an immigrant visa applicant’s age under the Child Status Protection Act (“CSPA”). In order for a child to be issued an immigrant visa or be […]
The Visa Waiting Time for the Family-Based Fourth Preference Immigrant Visa Category
The U.S. immigration system provides several categories for individuals seeking to immigrate to the United States based on their familial relationships with U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents. The fourth preference category (also known as the “F4” category) is for brothers and sisters of U.S. citizens. If you are the sibling of a U.S. citizen, […]
DOS Extends Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers Through 2023
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has extended DOS consular officers’ authority to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa categories through December 31, 2023. The announcement made on December 23, 2022 replaces the previous policy extending nonimmigrant visa waivers through December 31, 2022 and allows DOS consular officers to continue to waive in-person […]
Changing Immigrant and K-1 Visa Processing Venues for LGBT Applicants
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) in coordination with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Department of State Liaison Committee (“AILA DOS Liaison”) recently published an advisory on changing venues for immigrant and K-1 visa processing for LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bi Transgender) applicants. Since the United States Supreme Court issued its decision in United States […]
Chinese and Indian EB-5 Investor Priority Dates Retrogress on the October Visa Bulletin; Vietnamese Remains Current
The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has published the October 2022 Visa Bulletin and the “Final Action Date” Priority Dates for Chinese and Indian EB-5 investors under the “5th Unreserved” visa category has retrogressed (moved backward in time). What is the Priority Date? Following the return of the Regional Center Program with the passage of […]
What is a Priority Date in U.S. Immigration?
For most people who are immigrating to the United States there two main categories of immigrant visas: family immigration visas and employment and investment immigration visas. These are the Immediate Relative (“IR”) category, the Family-Based Preference (“FB”) category and Employment-Based Preference (“EB”) category. For the FB and EB categories, there many subcategories for qualification based […]