News
Changes to U Visas Expected from Biden Administration
U visas are for victims of crime and may provide permanent resident status. A prosecutor or police letter is needed to support the application and only certain criteria will qualify the victim for this visa. In the past, even if the U petition was granted, it did not protect one...
USCIS Announces Initial Registration Period for New H-1B Visas. Random H-1B Cap Selection Process to be Administered.
On February 5, 2021, USCIS announced that the initial H-1B cap registration for newvisas will be from Tuesday, March 9, 2021 through Thursday, March 25, 2021.USCIS will administer its usual random, computer-generated H-1B selection process. Itdelayed the effective date of the Trump H-1B wage-based selection rule to December31, 2021.The Trump...
Muslim Travel Ban Revoked
President Biden on the first day as President revoked the Trump Muslim travel ban. It is history. President Biden’s order also directs consuls to expedite pending ban waiver applications. Given COVID-19 we will have to see how soon the consuls take up applications and schedule interviews.
All travelers to US to produce negative COVID-19 test
The US government will begin on January 26, 2021 to require all international airline passengers to show proof of a negative Covid-19 test before boarding flights to the US. Travelers arriving on international flights to the US will need to get tested within three days of flying. Airlines will be required...
The Resumption of Routine Visa Services – U.S Department of State takes a phased approach
The Department of State suspended routine visa services worldwide in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In July 2020, U.S. Embassies and Consulates began a phased resumption of routine visa services. They prioritized services to U.S. citizens and foreign students with work visas. As consul post-specific conditions permit, missions started to...