DOS Extends Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers Through 2024
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has consular officers’ authority to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visas from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2024. The announcement, which was made on December 21, 2023 replaces the previous policy extending nonimmigrant visa waivers through December 31, 2023 and allows DOS consular officers to continue […]
What Does A 214(b) Refusal Mean in U.S. Immigration Law?
A 214(b) refusal in U.S. immigration law refers to a specific section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (“INA”) that is often cited when a U.S. consular officer denies a nonimmigrant visa application. This section applies primarily to individuals applying for visitor visas (B-1 for business visitors and B-2 for tourists) but can also be […]
How Long Does My Passport Have to Be Valid Before Being Issued a U.S. Visa?
Most countries require foreign nationals to have a passport valid for at least six (6) months prior to the date of entry. The U.S. also has similar rules for entry and also for the issuance of a visa. While many countries have agreements with the United States whereby their national’s passports must be valid for […]
Covid-Era Visa Application Fee Receipts Set to Expire on September 30, 2023
The U.S. Department of State (“DOS”) has announced that all receipts for payment of Machine-Readable Visa (“MRV”) fees issued before October 1, 2022 will expire September 30, 2023. There will be no extensions of fee validity. Applicants must schedule an appointment or submit an interview waiver application before September 30, 2023 to avoid paying a […]
Preconceived Intent in U.S. Immigration Law: Factors and Potential Risks
The United States immigration system is designed to ensure that individuals seeking to enter the country do so lawfully and with genuine intentions. As part of this effort, one factor that U.S. immigration law considers is the concept of “preconceived intent”: the intention of individuals to engage in activities that may violate their originally proposed […]
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 […]
U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City Announces New Policy for Immigrant Visa Applicants
The U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City (“Consulate”) has announced that immigrant visa applicants with scheduled appointments beginning in June 2022 must bring ALL required documents to their interview or will be TURNED AWAY and be asked to reschedule their interview appointments. In addition to physically bringing required documentation such as birth certificates, marriage […]
U.S. Consulate in Ho Chi Minh City Cancels All Visa Appointments Until August 16
In compliance with Ho Chi Minh City’s Directive 16 which enforces additional social distancing measures, the U.S. Consulate has cancelled all immigrant and non-immigrant visa appointments through August 16, 2021. Immigrant visa applicants affected by this announcement will be required to reschedule their cancelled visa interview appointments once normal operations resume. Based on the current […]
DOS Further Extends Non-Immigrant In-Person Interview Requirements
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has announced a third extension authorizing consular officers to waive in-person interview requirements for individuals applying for a non-immigrant visa within the same category. The first extension, which expired on December 31, 2020, was further extended to March 31, 2021 and allowed for DOS to waive in-person interviews […]
Announcement – Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers Temporarily Extended to 24 Months
The United States Department of State (“DOS”) has temporarily expanded the ability of DOS consular officers to waive in-person interview requirements for individuals applying for an expired nonimmigrant visa within the same category. Previously, in-person interview requirements were eligible for a waiver if the nonimmigrant visa applicant, such as a B-1/ B-2 visitor visa, applied […]