On Nov. 28, 2023, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) released a press release highlighting its visa operations achievements in the federal fiscal year 2023 (FY 2023) from October 2022
Continue Reading Report on the US Department of State’s FY 2023 Visa Operations
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
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued updated guidance in its Policy Manual, which makes a key change in the interpretation of when an immigrant visa number “becomes available”
Continue Reading USCIS Updates Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Age Calculation for Certain Adjustment of Status Applicants
On Jan. 19, 2023, the U.S. State Department unveiled a new refugee program, “Welcome Corps,” which enables private sponsorship of refugees.
Continue Reading U.S. State Department Unveils a New Refugee Program, ‘Welcome Corps’
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the December 2022 bulletin which reflects an increased demand across multiple categories. As warned in last month’s bulletin, the December bulletin implements
Continue Reading December 2022 Visa Bulletin – Worldwide Cut-Offs for EB-2 Category
The federal government’s fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, and while the new fiscal year brings new visa numbers, many EB-5 regional center stakeholders and investors were surprised by the
Continue Reading Takeaways From State Department’s EB-5 Visa Delays
On March 2, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the designation of Sudan and Redesignated South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS). On March 3, 2022, DHS announced
Continue Reading DHS Announces TPS Registration Process for Ukraine and Sudan
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
Continue Reading Department of State Issues Guidance Extending Validity of NIEs
On July 16, 2020, the Department of State provided updated information on the availability of exceptions to the June 22 Presidential Proclamation 10052, which extends Proclamation 10014 through Dec. 31, 2020,.
Some travelers and visa applicants who are affected by the Proclamation may qualify for an exception if the purpose of their travel to the United States is for humanitarian reasons, public health response, or national security. Other exceptions include: (1) applicants who are subject to aging out of their current immigrant visa classification; (2) certain H and J visa applicants who are traveling to the United Sates to work in support of a critical U.S. foreign policy; and (3) dependents of applicants who are excepted from, or not subject to, the Proclamations.
Continue Reading Exceptions to Presidential Proclamations – Department of State Guidance
The U.S. Department of State announced on July 13, 2020, via Twitter, that U.S. embassies and consulates are entering a “phased resumption of routine visa services” beginning July 15, 2020.
Continue Reading U.S. Embassies and Consulates Expected to Resume Visa Services Beginning on July 15