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 […]
Can Pregnant Women Travel to the United States?
Following the Department of State’s amended regulations addressing birth tourism in January 2020, questions continue to be raised whether a pregnant woman may travel to the U.S. on a valid B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa for the sole purpose of giving birth regardless of whether she was issued the B-1/B-2 Visitor Visa prior to the new regulations […]
Department of State Announces Resumption of Processing of EB-5 Visas Associated with the Regional Center Program
On April 12, 2022 the United States Department of State (“DOS”) posted this notice on its website: “On March 15, 2022, President Biden signed (the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“Act”)), that made changes to the EB-5 program, authorized a new EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program, and directed that certain “grandfathered” immigration benefits […]
EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022
The EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022 (“Act”) was passed by Congress and signed by President Biden on March 15, 2022. Most of the provisions of the Act will become effective 60 days from enactment, which will be the middle of May 2022. The Act includes many changes to the EB-5 immigrant visa category. […]
No Changes to EB-5 Category in the March 2022 Visa Bulletin
The Department of State (“DOS”) March 2022 visa bulletin continues to show EB-5 regional center visa categories (I5 and R5) unavailable (U) because the EB-5 regional center program remains expired. Read more: the regional center program (“Program”) having lapsed on June 30, 2021. Visas in non-regional center visa categories (C5 and T5) for those investors […]
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. […]
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 […]
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 […]