The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that starting Oct. 19, 2023, Israeli passport holders are eligible to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which
Continue Reading DHS Moves Up Israel’s Eligibility for Visa Waiver Program to Oct. 19, 2023Visa Waiver Program
USCIS Confirms Evidentiary Requirements for Physician National Interest Waiver
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued new policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual regarding the evidentiary requirements for physicians seeking a national interest waiver of the job…
Continue Reading USCIS Confirms Evidentiary Requirements for Physician National Interest WaiverIsrael Poised to Join the U.S. Visa Waiver Program
Israel is making strides towards joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP) which allows citizens of participating countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for 90…
Continue Reading Israel Poised to Join the U.S. Visa Waiver ProgramState Department Extends Interview Waivers for Certain Nonimmigrant Visas
On Dec. 23, 2022, the U.S. Department of State announced an extension of interview waivers for certain nonimmigrant visas, and their qualifying derivatives, through Dec. 31, 2023.
Consular officers are…
Continue Reading State Department Extends Interview Waivers for Certain Nonimmigrant VisasState Department Expands Interview Waiver Program for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Through End of 2022
In response to the ongoing COVID-19-related circumstances that have significantly hampered visa processing, the State Department has announced that it will expand and extend the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program…
Continue Reading State Department Expands Interview Waiver Program for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Through End of 2022
Issues with Visa Issuances from Countries Subject to PP10143
As part of the U.S. government’s response to the pandemic, entry to the U.S. has been restricted for certain foreign nationals who have been physically present during any part of…
Continue Reading Issues with Visa Issuances from Countries Subject to PP10143
State Department Extends Revised Interview Waiver Eligibility Criteria Through Dec. 31, 2021
The Department of State (DOS) has announced that it will extend until Dec. 31, 2021, its expanded visa interview waiver eligibility policy for individuals applying for a nonimmigrant visa in…
Continue Reading State Department Extends Revised Interview Waiver Eligibility Criteria Through Dec. 31, 2021
Immigration and The Equine Athlete: Coming to America, Part II
In our last GT Alert, Immigration and the Equine Athlete: Coming to America, Part I, we discussed the most common visas available to foreign nationals who travel to America…
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Immigration and The Equine Athlete: Coming to America, Part I
Now that the Biden administration is settling in, several immigration policies enacted by the previous administration are being put on hold or rescinded altogether. Does this mean that the most…
Continue Reading Immigration and The Equine Athlete: Coming to America, Part I
U.S. Department of State Announces Prohibition on ‘Birth Tourism’
On Jan. 24, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) posted a final rule, effective immediately, imposing new restrictions on individuals applying for B nonimmigrant visas at U.S. consular posts outside of the United States. A B nonimmigrant visa is used by individuals traveling to the United States for business (B-1 visa) or pleasure (B-2 visa).
Under DOS regulations, the term “pleasure” has long been defined to include legitimate activities of a recreational character, including tourism, amusement, visits with friends or relatives, rest, medical treatment and activities of a fraternal, social or services nature. The new rule now explicitly excludes travel under the B visa category for those applicants traveling to the United States with the primary purpose of obtaining U.S. citizenship for a child by giving birth in the United States, also referred to by the DOS as “birth tourism.”
Continue Reading U.S. Department of State Announces Prohibition on ‘Birth Tourism’