Now that consulates are slowly beginning to reopen, individuals whose interviews were postponed due to COVID should proactively inquire with the consulate as to when they can expect their interviews to be rescheduled. That being said, some preference categories will...
Visa Issues
New Tourist Visa Rules Will Ban Some Pregnant Women
Last Friday, the Department of State published its final rule implementing new regulations regarding "birth tourism." Effective now, the new rule amends how and whether B nonimmigrant, or tourist, visas are issued, particularly to those who may be pregnant. The new...
Even More New Questions for Visa Applicants
Immigrant visa applicants should be aware that that the DS-260 was quietly revised to incorporate some new questions in addition to the social media question which we previously discussed in July of this year. The DS-260 is the electronic application that all...
New Financial Rules For Visa Applicants Coming
Last week, USCIS's plan to implement its new public charge rule and forms, including the dreaded I-944 Declaration of Self Sufficiency, was stymied by a temporary injunction blocking the revised guidelines. However, the nationwide ban only applied to adjustment of...
Consulate Will Deny Visas to Immigrants Without Health Insurance Plan
On October 4, 2019, President Trump issued an immigration related proclamation that will affect nearly all family-based cases being processed abroad once it goes into effect. Titled "Presidential Proclamation on the Suspension of Entry of Immigrants Who Will...
New U Visa Policy | I-918 Application Will Not Stop Deportation
This month, Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced an important policy change pertaining to enforcement against individuals who have filed for protection under the U visa program. The changes are formalized in Directive 11005.2 and summarized in a Questions and...
Emergency Travel Outside of US While Green Card Case Pending
With few exceptions, leaving the United States while a green card case is pending can be fatal to one's case. In general, departure from the United States without an advance parole document normally results in a denial of the adjustment of status petition. USCIS will...
New Question on DS 260 on Visa Form About Social Media
Applicants for immigrant visas may be surprised to see a new question on the electronic DS 260 application pertaining to social media. As of May 31, 2019, the immigrant visa application (and reportedly the electronic DS 160 nonimmigrant visa application as well) now...
Will New Jersey Drunk Driving (39:4-50) Affect H-1B Stamping?
This is a very common question that we deal with in the ordinary course of our business. Unfortunately, it is also one that is extremely complex and heavily dependent on a number of factors, including but not limited to the nature of the offense; one's immigration...
New Version of I-539 Application to Change or Extend Status Coming
USCIS recently announced plans to update Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status. This change is particularly important to any foreign national currently here on a temporary basis who is intending on changing or extending his/her status....
