Effective Jan. 1, 2024, certain nonimmigrant visa applicants are now eligible for a waiver of the visa interview requirement. The U.S. Department of State recently announced the following nonimmigrant categories
Continue Reading Interview Requirement Waiver Available for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa ApplicantsDepartment of State
Domestic Visa Renewal May Begin in Early 2024
On Oct. 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of State initiated the process for resuming its stateside visa renewal program. The State Department sent a Federal Register notice, Pilot Program to …
Continue Reading Domestic Visa Renewal May Begin in Early 2024November 2023 State Department Visa Bulletin Largely Unchanged
On Oct. 9, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) published the November 2023 Visa Bulletin. This bulletin reflects little movement from the October 2023 Visa Bulletin and no…
Continue Reading November 2023 State Department Visa Bulletin Largely UnchangedIsrael Joins Visa Waiver Program
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department announced that Israel has been admitted to the Visa Waiver Program. Starting Nov. 30, 2023, Israeli passport holders are eligible to…
Continue Reading Israel Joins Visa Waiver ProgramDepartment of State Updates FAM E Visa Provisions
On May 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) updated four provisions of the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) relating to E visas. The updates relate to E-2 substantiality; E…
Continue Reading Department of State Updates FAM E Visa ProvisionsNonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases Effective June 17, 2023
On June 17, 2023, the U.S. Department of State nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fee for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2) and non-petition-based NIV applications such as student…
Continue Reading Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases Effective June 17, 2023Bipartisan Letter from the Senate Urges U.S. State Department to Address Ongoing Visa Delays
The global demand for non-immigrant U.S. visas skyrocketed during the COVID-19 health emergency, when travel was halted and U.S. embassies and consulates closed. Even after reopening, U.S. embassies and consulates…
Continue Reading Bipartisan Letter from the Senate Urges U.S. State Department to Address Ongoing Visa DelaysU.S. Department of State to Pilot Domestic Visa Renewal Option in 2023
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) plans to test a program that would permit H- and L-visa holders to renew their visa stamps from within the United States, rather than…
Continue Reading U.S. Department of State to Pilot Domestic Visa Renewal Option in 2023J-1 Visa Waiver Options for Physicians
Many international medical graduates come to the United States under a J-1 visa to pursue medical education, training, or a fellowship program. In most cases, the J-1 medical graduate will…
Continue Reading J-1 Visa Waiver Options for PhysiciansState 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 Visas