ban

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COVID-19

I submitted a NIE Request. When should I hear back from the Consulate/CBP? Is it faster to travel to a country that is not on the list of restricted countries and spend 14 days there?

In March 2020, former President Trump issued presidential proclamations that restrict entry to the U.S. to people who: Were physically present in the Schengen Area region during the 14-day period prior to their entry in the U.S. Were physically present…

Jenny ZhanFebruary 18, 2021

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COVID-19

Can I apply for the National Interest Exception if I have ESTA or do I have to have a valid B-1 visa?

In July 2020, the Department of State announced that certain business and student travelers coming from Schengen countries or the U.K. (such as B-1 business visitors), treaty traders, or treaty investors may apply for a National Interest Exception (“NIE”). The NIE allows such…

Jenny ZhanNovember 18, 2020

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Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in London

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in London. The approval was for a B-1 business visitor who is a national of Italy but resides and lives in London. Please see more about the…

Jenny ZhanOctober 30, 2020

COVID-19

Tips for Boarding the Plane with a National Interest Exception Waiver

Jenny ZhanOctober 9, 2020

Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Netherlands

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Amsterdam. The approval was for a B-1 business visitor who is a national of the Netherlands. The Consulate approved the application in 1 business day. Please…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 30, 2020

COVID-19

Can I apply for an ESTA during Covid?

If you are a citizen of a country that is part of the Visa Waiver Program, you can come to the United States without obtaining a visa from a U.S. Consulate. However, you still have to apply for authorization to travel to…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 17, 2020

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COVID-19

My National Interest Exception Application was approved. What will serve as an evidence that it was approved? What documents should I have with me when travelling to the U.S.?

Jenny ZhanSeptember 17, 2020

COVID-19

I am in the U.S. on an E-2 visa and want to travel to Europe for vacation. Can I apply for a NIE while I am in the U.S.? Can I apply for a NIE once I am in Europe?

Jenny ZhanSeptember 10, 2020

COVID-19

My National Interest Exception application was denied. Will this affect my visa application in the future?

Jenny ZhanSeptember 10, 2020

COVID-19

Can I apply for a National Interest Exception at the port of entry? What is the procedure of applying for the NIE at the port of entry?

In July 2020, the Department of State announced that certain business and student travelers coming from Schengen countries or the U.K. and Ireland (such as B-1 business visitors), treaty traders, or treaty investors may apply for a National Interest Exception (“NIE”). The NIE allows such…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 9, 2020

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Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the CBP office at Newark airport

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved at the CBP office at Newark airport. The approval was for a B-1 business visitor who is a national of Germany. The CBP office approved the application in one business day.…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 3, 2020

Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the CBP office at Newark airport

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved at the CBP office at Newark airport. The approval was for a B-1 business visitor who is a national of the UK. The CBP office approved the application in one business…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 3, 2020

Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Belgium

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved for a national of Belgium at the U.S. Consulate in Belgium. The approval was for a B-1 business visitor. The Consulate approved the application in 2 business days. Please see more…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 1, 2020

Approvals

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Paris

We just had a National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Paris. The approval was for an E-2 visa investor who runs an E-2 company in California. The Consulate approved the application in 8 days. Please see…

Jenny ZhanAugust 21, 2020

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Immigration News

ICE Rescinds International Student Visa Policy

As Colleges and University announce their course work for next semester, some schools have changed their schedules to all online courses for students due to the COVID pandemic. As a result, ICE and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)…

Jenny ZhanJuly 14, 2020

COVID-19

Coronavirus Update: European Union Lifts Travel Ban for 15 Countries but the United States is not Included

The European Commission has advised European Union countries to allow entry to travelers from 15 countries starting July 1. These countries include the following: Algeria Andorra Australia Canada Georgia Japan Monaco Montenegro Morocco New Zealand Rwanda San Marino Serbia South…

Jenny ZhanJune 30, 2020

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

I am currently in the U.S. on an OPT and my employer filed an H-1B petition. Does the new executive order affect my H-1B application?

Let’s analyze the following scenario: You are currently in the U.S. on an OPT status or on a cap-gap extension and your employer filed an H-1B visa change of status application. The H-1B application is currently pending with USCIS and you may be wondering…

Jenny ZhanJune 25, 2020

Immigration News

Who does the new Executive Order Banning Certain Visas Impact?

On Monday June 22, The Trump Administration signed an Executive Order suspending the entry of some H-1B, H-4, H-2B, J, and L visa holders, with some exceptions. According to the President, the reason for the EO was that these individuals…

Jenny ZhanJune 24, 2020

COVID-19

Coronavirus Update: Countries Currently Restricting Travel from U.S. Citizens

The State Department has issued travel warnings for all Americans, recommending against international travel for the foreseeable future. Below is the current list of countries that have banned travel from foreigners. Please note that unless otherwise specified, these countries have…

Jenny ZhanApril 7, 2020

COVID-19

Coronavirus Update: Travel Ban Extended to Recent Iran Travel

The White House issued another presidential proclamation imposing travel restrictions and quarantines on travelers from Iran starting on 5 PM EST March 2, 2020 due to the coronavirus. This does not apply to flights that have taken off before this…

Jenny ZhanMarch 2, 2020

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Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

USCIS Resumes Accepting DACA Renewals After Court Order

USCIS announced on January 12, 2018 that it has resumed the renewal process for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients. This decision came days after District Judge William Alsup issued an injunction order against the deportation of DACA…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 17, 2018

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Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

Federal Judge Temporarily Suspends Trump’s Phasing Out of Dreamers

On January 9, 2018, San Francisco based U.S. District Judge William Alsup issued an injunction order stating that safeguards against deportation will remain in place for the nearly 700,000 immigrants in the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program while…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 10, 2018

Immigration

Who do the visa sanctions recently announced by the Department of State affect? Why can’t nationals of Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea and Sierra Leone be issued tourist visas?

The Department of State recently announced that it will stop issuing B tourist visas to nationals of the following countries: Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea, and Sierra Leone. Nationals of Guinea will also not be issued F student visas, nor J or…

IanScottSeptember 27, 2017

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

President Trump Issues an Executive Order Indefinitely Barring Most Travel to the U.S. For Citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea

On Sunday September 25, 2017, as President Trump’s Executive Order barring travel from seven countries was set to expire, he issued a Presidential Proclamation (Executive Order) indefinitely suspending immigrant and non-immigrant travel to the U.S. for nationals from Chad, Iran,…

IanScottSeptember 25, 2017

Deportation & Humanitarian Immigration Family Immigration Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

President Trump New Executive Order & Travel Ban – What are the New Travel Ban Rules?

President Trump has signed the much anticipated new travel ban that stops the issuance of visas and does not allow entry of nationals to the U.S. from: Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Notably, nationals from Iraq are no…

IanScottMarch 7, 2017

I submitted a NIE Request. When should I hear back from the Consulate/CBP? Is it faster to travel to a country that is not on the list of restricted countries and spend 14 days there?

Can I apply for the National Interest Exception if I have ESTA or do I have to have a valid B-1 visa?

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in London

Tips for Boarding the Plane with a National Interest Exception Waiver

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Netherlands

Can I apply for an ESTA during Covid?

My National Interest Exception Application was approved. What will serve as an evidence that it was approved? What documents should I have with me when travelling to the U.S.?

I am in the U.S. on an E-2 visa and want to travel to Europe for vacation. Can I apply for a NIE while I am in the U.S.? Can I apply for a NIE once I am in Europe?

My National Interest Exception application was denied. Will this affect my visa application in the future?

Can I apply for a National Interest Exception at the port of entry? What is the procedure of applying for the NIE at the port of entry?

National Interest Exception Application approved at the CBP office at Newark airport

National Interest Exception Application approved at the CBP office at Newark airport

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Belgium

National Interest Exception Application approved at the U.S. Consulate in Paris

ICE Rescinds International Student Visa Policy

Coronavirus Update: European Union Lifts Travel Ban for 15 Countries but the United States is not Included

I am currently in the U.S. on an OPT and my employer filed an H-1B petition. Does the new executive order affect my H-1B application?

Who does the new Executive Order Banning Certain Visas Impact?

Coronavirus Update: Countries Currently Restricting Travel from U.S. Citizens

Coronavirus Update: Travel Ban Extended to Recent Iran Travel

USCIS Resumes Accepting DACA Renewals After Court Order

Federal Judge Temporarily Suspends Trump’s Phasing Out of Dreamers

Who do the visa sanctions recently announced by the Department of State affect? Why can’t nationals of Cambodia, Eritrea, Guinea and Sierra Leone be issued tourist visas?

President Trump Issues an Executive Order Indefinitely Barring Most Travel to the U.S. For Citizens of Chad, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Syria, Yemen and North Korea

President Trump New Executive Order & Travel Ban – What are the New Travel Ban Rules?

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