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, 2023
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 Delays
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 2023
USCIS has published a new Form I-485 with additional public charge questions required for use starting Dec. 23, 2022. When a nonimmigrant foreign national applies for an adjustment of status
Continue Reading USCIS Updates Its Form I-485 to Comply With New Public Charge Rule
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
The U.S. Mission in China is temporarily suspending all visa services due to China’s recent spike in COVID-19 cases. Only emergency consular services are available at the U.S. Consulates in
Continue Reading U.S. Embassy and Consulates in China Suspend All Visa Services
Due to an immigration application backlog, which was worsened by the pandemic’s adverse effects on USCIS and the nearly four-month office closure of Application Support Centers (ASCs) and Field Offices,
Continue Reading Long Delays for Work Permits for L, H, and E Spouses Are Over
On April 27, 2021, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it was reinstating its guidance to immigration officers to defer to prior nonimmigrant petition approvals when adjudicating
Continue Reading USCIS Issues Guidance Reinstating Deference Policy for Prior Approved Nonimmigrant Petitions
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
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
Continue Reading Immigration and The Equine Athlete: Coming to America, Part II