We are excited to report that the Diversity Visa (DV) annual lottery registration period is now open for fiscal year (FY) 2025! Online registration opened yesterday, October 4, 2023, at noon EST and will remain open until Tuesday, November 7, 2023, at noon EST. Registration is free to all registrants…
Articles Posted in Consulates
U.S. Government Designates Israel into the Visa Waiver Program Effective November 30, 2023
The long-awaited news is finally here. The Department of State has announced the designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) effective November 30, 2023. Beginning on that date, citizens and nationals of Israel will be able to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business…
All About the October Visa Bulletin
In this blog post, we summarize the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories of the October Visa Bulletin. This information will be helpful to those applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate overseas, and those applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the United…
Immigration Roundup: State Department Introduces Digital Visas for K Visa Applicants in Ireland, DV Lottery FY 2023 Visa Cap Reached, and Expiration of MRV Fee Receipts
Want to know what’s going on in the world of immigration? Then you won’t want to miss these brand-new updates from the U.S. Department of State. Digital Visa Authorization – New Concept The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs has revealed that the agency is floating the idea of providing…
USCIS Reopens Field Office in Havana, Cuba
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently announced the reopening of an international field office in Havana, Cuba. The Havana office will assist with U.S. immigration benefits and services, including conducting interviews, processing cases for pending Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) requests, and Form I-730, Refugee/Asylee Relative Petitions, and other…
Your Guide to the September 2023 Visa Bulletin
In this blog post, we summarize the movement of the family-sponsored and employment-based preference categories of the September Visa Bulletin. This information will be helpful to those applying for an immigrant visa at a U.S. Consulate overseas, and those applying for adjustment of status to permanent residence in the United…
CBP Announces ESTA Ineligibility for Travelers Who Have Been Present in Cuba or are Dual Nationals of Cuba and a Visa Waiver Program Country
In this blog post, we share with you an important announcement from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Carrier Liaison Program. The agency has announced that certain nationals participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), who have been physically present in Cuba, or who are dual nationals of Cuba and…
Breaking Down the August Visa Bulletin: Final Action EB-1 and EB-3 Retrogressions, and Modest Advancements for F1 and F2B Mexico
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.…
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…