Update on the Status of Immigrant Visa Processing at U.S. Embassies and Consulates
On March 1, 2021, the U.S. Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price hosted a special briefing with Consular Affairs Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Visa Services, Julie M. Stufft. Appearing via teleconference, Ms. Stufft...
U.S. State Department Changes National Interest Exceptions
On March 2, 2021, the U.S. Secretary of State rescinded a previous national interest determination regarding certain travelers from the Schengen Area (European Union), United Kingdom, and Ireland—specifically, certain technical experts...
USCIS Makes Accommodations for F-1 OPT Applicants Facing Processing Delays
International students who graduate from a U.S. college or university can stay in the U.S. in F-1 status to participate in up to 12 months of optional practical training (OPT). Post-completion OPT must conclude within 14 months from the end of the...
USCIS Offers Premium Processing Service for E-3 Petitions
Beginning February 24, 2021, USCIS’s premium processing service is available to employers filing Form I-129 petitions for E-3 nonimmigrant workers. The E-3 nonimmigrant classification is available...
President Biden Removes Immigrant Visa Ban
Since April 2020, many intending immigrants have been prevented from coming to the U.S. due to pandemic-related travel restrictions classifying these individuals as risks to the U.S. labor market. On February 24, 2021,...
Nonessential Travel Restrictions Extended for Canada–United States–Mexico Borders
In March 2020, U.S. officials reached mutual agreements with the governments of Mexico and Canada that nonessential travel across the land borders would lead to increased risk of COVID-19...
USCIS Reverts to 2008 Civics Test for Naturalization
Today’s Policy Alert from USCIS explains that the agency is stepping back from a 2020 revision to the civics test administered to applicants for naturalization. Becoming a naturalized U.S....
MPP Program Slowly Coming to an End
The 2018 Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), also known as the “Remain in Mexico” policy, forced many asylum seekers at the southern border to wait in Mexico while their cases moved through U.S. immigration courts. Before MPP, individuals who presented themselves at...
Entry Exemptions for Foreign Experts
Under the current travel restrictions in Israel, exemptions from the entry ban are granted only in exceptional humanitarian cases. It is expected that, starting this week, the Exemption Committee will accept and consider entry permission applications filed on behalf...
Entry Visa Categories Streamlined
After a general review of current entry visa categories, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that it will reduce the number of available entry purposes and entry visa categories. Among the most significant changes are the following: The "commercial visa"...