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On Feb. 28, 2026, the U.S. Department of State issued a Worldwide Caution security alert following the launch of U.S. combat operations in Iran.
Continue Reading State Department Issues Worldwide Caution: What Visa Applicants and US Travelers Need to Know

On Dec. 2, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum PM-602-0192 directing officers to place an adjudicative hold on all pending asylum applications (Form I-589), regardless of nationality, and most pending immigration benefit requests – such as green cards, adjustment of status, travel documents, naturalization, etc. – filed by nationals of 19 countries designated as “high risk,” regardless of the entry date. … Continue Reading USCIS Halts Processing for Pending Asylum Applications and Immigration Benefit Request from 19 ‘High-Risk’ Countries

GT Immigration Shareholder Kate Kalmykov will participate in a webinar hosted by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) Rome District – Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) Chapter Dec. 14, 2023, at 1:00 Eastern (GMT -5).

The program “Consular Confusion in a Complicated Time” will provide information to help colleagues manage IV/NIV cases and other consular…

On July 6, 2021, the Department of State issued guidance extending the validity of certain National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) granted to travelers through U.S. embassies and consulates abroad for those subject to restrictions under Presidential Proclamations 9984, 9992, 10143, and 10199. The guidance affects certain travelers coming into the United States from China, Iran, Brazil,…

The State Department has once again updated its guidance regarding those who qualify for travel ban exemption. The additional guidance expands the waiver criteria to include individuals who will provide vital support or executive direction for critical infrastructure or for significant economic activity. This new guidance will allow managers and executives in key industries to…

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 the 14 days prior to entry in Brazil, the United Kingdom, the Republic of Ireland, the Schengen Area, South Africa, Iran and China due to…

On Jan. 18, 2021, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation terminating his previous Presidential Proclamations restricting travel from certain Schengen areas (Proclamation 9993), UK/Ireland (Proclamation 9996), and Brazil (Proclamation 10041). President Trump cites recent developments in the battle against COVID-19, including the CDC requiring negative COVID-19 tests for all air passengers entering…

Travel to the U.S. – Suspensions and Restrictions (Updated March 15, 2020)

The White House has published three Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related proclamations relating to travel to the United States:

  1. Jan. 31, 2020: Proclamation 9984, Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Persons who Pose a Risk of Transmitting 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The proclamation cites Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) 212(f) to suspend entry into the United States of all aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants, and other non-U.S. citizens) who were physically present within the People’s Republic of China, excluding the Special Autonomous Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. This coronavirus travel ban is effective as of 5:00 p.m. EST on Feb. 2, 2020.
  2. Feb. 29, 2020: Presidential Proclamation, Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrants of Certain Additional Persons Who Pose a Risk of Transmitting Coronavirus. The proclamation cites INA 212(f) to suspend entry into the United States of all aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants, and other non-U.S. citizens) who were physically present within the Islamic Republic of Iran during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. This coronavirus travel ban is effective as of 5:00 p.m. EST on March 2, 2020. This proclamation does not apply to persons aboard a flight scheduled to arrive in the United States that departed prior to 5:00 p.m. EST on March 2, 2020.
  3. March 11, 2020: Presidential Proclamation on Suspension of Entry as Immigrants and Nonimmigrant of Certain Additional Person who Pose a Risk of Transmitted 2019 Novel Coronavirus. The proclamation cites INA 212(f) to suspend entry into the United States of all aliens (immigrants, nonimmigrants, and other non-U.S. citizens) who were physically present within the European Schengen Area (not including the United Kingdom) during the 14-day period preceding their entry or attempted entry into the United States. This coronavirus travel ban is effective as of 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 13, 2020; also see Homeland Security Acting Secretary Chad F. Wolf’s Statement on Presidential Proclamation To Protect the Homeland from Travel-Related Coronavirus Spread.
  4. March 14, 2020: Presidential Proclamation Amended to include immigrants and nonimmigrants from the United Kingdom and Ireland. Effective Monday, March 16, 2020, 11:59 p.m. EST, the U.S. will extend the same travel restrictions to the U.K. and Ireland as are already in effect for other European countries, China and Iran.  View recent blog here.

Continue Reading U.S. Immigration and Coronavirus Disease 2019 – Facts, Thoughts, Questions and Answers

As of Jan. 23, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will no longer accept requests for changes to E-1 or E-2 status or extensions of E-1 or E-2 status from Iranian nationals and their dependents (see USCIS notice concerning termination of eligibility). This change applies to Iranian nationals who are already in the United States and are seeking an extension of their E-1/E-2 status or were planning to submit a change of status to E-1/E-2. Affected applicants who currently have pending applications will be issued Notices of Intent to Deny by USCIS. This policy change does not affect Iranians who are in the United States currently holding E-1 or E-2 status as they may remain in the United States until their current status expires.
Continue Reading Iranian Nationals No Longer Eligible for Changes to E-1 and E-2 Status or Extensions of E-1 and E-2 Status