News & Announcements

On August 12, 2021, the U.S Department of State updated their website posting on National Interest Exemptions (NIE) with some additional frequently asked questions (FAQ). Click on title for full details.

On July 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced an Extension of validity for National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) for Travelers from China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India. Click on title for full details.

On May 27, 2021, the U.S. Department of State provided updated guidance regarding certain individuals traveling to the U.S (including those in F and M student visa status and certain academics in J exchange visitor programs) from the restricted countries mentioned below.” Click on title for full details.

The U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Russia website indicates that routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services have been suspended. Click on title for full details.

On April 30, 2021, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation/Executive Order adding India to the list of countries subject to COVID-19 travel restrictions for entry to the U.S. within 14 days of being physically present in India. Click on title for full details.

Presidential Proclamation 10052, which temporarily suspended the entry to the U.S. of certain H-1B, H-2B, L nonimmigrants, and certain J Exchange Visitors, expired on March 31, 2021. Click on title for full details.

On February 24, 2021, President Biden released a Proclamation revoking the prior administration’s suspension of immigrant visas due to the 2019 corona virus outbreak (Proclamation 10014, section 1 of Proclamation 10052 and section 1 of Proclamation 10131). The “immigrant” visa allows an individual to enter the US as a permanent resident (I-551 stamp). 

On January 20, 2021 President Biden issued a Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States. This Proclamation revokes the following Executive Orders issued by the Trump Administration, also known as the “Travel Bans”. Click on title for full details.

On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order to maintain the COVID travel restrictions for entry to the U.S. within 14 days of being physically present in Brazil and most countries of Europe (Schengen countries, including the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland). Click on title for full details.

On December 31, 2020, the Trump administration announced the extension of two policies regarding some immigrant and visa entries. Click on title for full details.

As a result of a court ruling on December 1, the two rules affecting the H-1B and E-3 visa programs, and PERM Labor Certifications that were described in our Update of October 19, 2020, are no longer in effect. Click on title to see full details.

On Friday, October 16, 2020, the US Department of Homeland Security published an Announcement indicating the fee for “premium processing” of applications by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will rise from $1440 to $2500 effective October 19, 2020. Click on title for full details.