We are happy to report that the August Visa Bulletin has been released! As we do every month, we share what you can expect to see in the upcoming month’s visa bulletin for family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories to help you prepare for your immigrant visa filing at a U.S.…
Articles Posted in Biden administration
What’s New in Immigration: DHS Announces Family Reunification Parole Program for Immigrant Beneficiaries from Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras
This past week, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced the implementation of a new Family Reunification Parole (FRP) program for foreign nationals of Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, that falls in line with previous governmental policies aimed at reducing unlawful migration. The program will benefit nationals of such…
All About the EB-3 Retrogression for India in the July Visa Bulletin
Readers of the July Visa Bulletin may have been surprised to learn that the final action date for the employment-based third preference category for nationals of India retrogressed by more than 3 years and 5 months from June 15, 2012 (in the June Visa Bulletin) to January 1, 2009 (in…
Nonimmigrant Visa Fee Increases Effective June 17, 2023
Certain types of nonimmigrants will be expected to shell out more money for the nonimmigrant visa process. The State Department has announced that starting June 17, 2023, nonimmigrant visa (NIV) application processing fees for visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs), and other non-petition based nonimmigrant visas such…
July Visa Bulletin: Big Advancements for Family Sponsored Categories, and EB-3 Retrogressions
It’s that time of the month again. Time to share the latest trends and projections of the July Visa Bulletin! To help you prepare for your upcoming immigrant visa or green card filing, in this blog post, we share what you can expect to see in the upcoming month’s visa bulletin…
Department of State Vows to Decrease Administrative Processing, but is it an Empty Promise?
The Department of State raised eyebrows earlier this month when it released information that it will be reducing the waiting period for 221(G) “administrative processing,” in an effort to process visas more efficiently. While this is welcome news, in practice it may not mean much. Consulates and Embassies have been…
This Week in Immigration: CBP Releases Update ending COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for International Travelers, New CDC Updated COVID-19 Vaccine Guidance for Civil Surgeons Completing Form I-693 Immigration Medical Examination
CBP No Longer Requires Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination for Air Passengers from Any Country starting today May 12, 2023 The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) now joins the State Department and Department of Homeland Security in announcing the end of the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for international travelers starting…
USCIS Releases Tips for Supporters and Beneficiaries of Uniting for Ukraine and Parole Processes for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans, and Venezuelans
In this blog post, we share recent guidance released by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for supporters and beneficiaries of Uniting for Ukraine and nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela, requesting humanitarian parole to the United States. Individuals participating in these programs must have a supporter in…
State Department Announces the End of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement for Nonimmigrant International Air Travelers and Land Travelers, Starting May 12th
Welcome back to Visalawyerblog! In this blog post we share with you some breaking news regarding the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for non-immigrant international travelers. On May 4, 2023, the State Department announced that the Biden administration will end the COVID-19 vaccine requirements for international air travelers at the end of…
What’s New in Immigration: USCIS provides guidance on responses to Requests for Evidence, NOIDs etc. where Deadline Falls on Weekend or Holiday
In this blog post, we share with you new guidance released by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) regarding instances where the last day of filing a benefit request or response to a Request for Evidence or a Notice of Intent to Deny, Revoke, Rescind, or Terminate, falls on…