covid 19 | Scott Legal, P.C.

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

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

I need an earlier visa appointment at a U.S. Consulate. Can I request an expedite appointment?

If you recently submitted a non-immigrant visa application to a U.S. Consulate abroad (e.g. an E-2 investor application), you may be wondering when your visa interview will be scheduled. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19 global pandemic and always changing situation at…

Jenny ZhanFebruary 1, 2021

Covid 19

My extension of status petition has been pending for a long time. What can I do to speed up the process? Can I file an expedite request?

Due to Covid-19 global pandemic, the USCIS Service Centers are taking longer than usual to make a decision on all types of visa petitions. If you filed an extension of status petition long time ago and USCIS still has not…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 27, 2021

Covid 19

Trump Administration Lifts Coronavirus Travel Ban on Europe and Brazil. President-Elect Likely to Reject the Proclamation

Late Monday night, President Trump ordered an end to the Coronavirus related travel ban put on non-citizen and permanent resident travelers from Europe and Brazil. For more information, please click here for Europe and here for Brazil. The proclamation will…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 19, 2021

E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

Are the U.S. Consulates currently open? Are the U.S. Consulates currently processing E-2 visa applications?

Many of our clients and potential clients are curious to know whether the U.S. Consulates abroad are currently open and whether the Consulates are currently processing E-2 visa applications and scheduling E-2 visa interviews. The question we often get from…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 8, 2021

Covid 19 Immigration

Can I apply for a National Interest Exception at a CBP office at the airport? Do I need to apply through a U.S. Consulate abroad first? What is the procedure?

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 ZhanJanuary 5, 2021

Covid 19 E-1 Visa E-2 Visa Immigration Immigration Biden/Harris Administration

How will the Second Stimulus Bill Impact E-2 visa holders? Is there a Second round of PPP for E-2 visa holders? Can I get a PPP Loan on an E-2?

The first Corona virus stimulus bill provided much needed relief for E-2 visa holders. Many E-2 visa companies were struggling and both the PPP loans and the EIDL grant kept many E-2 businesses afloat. You can find out more about…

IanScottDecember 23, 2020

Covid 19

Can I come to the U.S. from Canada during Covid? Should I fly or should I enter the U.S. by a car? Can I come to the U.S. as a tourist during Covid?

We have received many questions from of our clients who are Canadians and who want to come to the U.S. for recreation/to visit their families. during the Covid-19 pandemic. Travelling via land border As of the time of writing this…

Jenny ZhanOctober 8, 2020

Covid 19

Are the presidential proclamations restricting entry to the U.S. from certain countries still in effect? When will the travel restrictions be lifted?

Our clients often ask us/they are confused whether the Presidential proclamations suspending entry to the U.S. to travelers coming to the U.S. from certain countries are still in effect. The short answer is yes. As of August 31, 2020, if…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 23, 2020

Covid 19

Can I study in the U.S. during Corona virus? Can I apply for an F-1 visa? Can I take online classes only if I am in the U.S. on F-1 visa?

The Covid-19 crisis has disrupted all aspects of daily life. With both borders and Consulates closed, travel to and from the U.S. can be difficult. One category that is affected by the Covid-19 crisis are students. When the Covid-19 crisis began back in the…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 22, 2020

Covid 19

Is USCIS conducting green card interviews during Covid-19? Can my green card interview be waived?

On June 4, 2020 certain USCIS field offices started resuming non-emergency in person appointments. USCIS indicated on its website that the particular USCIS field office that is processing your green card application will send you an interview notice or re-scheduling…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 21, 2020

Covid 19

I am a U.S. citizen/green card holder and my family wants to come to the U.S. Can my family come visit me if they are subject to the travel ban to the U.S.?

The Covid-19 crisis has caused large disruptions in daily life and created significant difficulties for international travel. Many of our clients who are U.S. citizens or green card holders ask us if their family that is abroad can come to…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 17, 2020

Covid 19

Are the U.S. Consulates processing E-2 visa applications? Are the U.S. Consulates conducting E-2 visa interviews?

Many of our clients often ask us whether the U.S. abroad are open, whether they are processing visa applications, and how long it takes to get an E-2 interview. In March 2020, the Department of State suspended routine visa services…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 10, 2020

Covid 19

US Consulate in Toronto has Resumed Processing E-2 Applications

According to the Toronto Consulate visa chief, the U.S. consulate in Toronto has resumed processing E-2 visa applications. An E-2 visa can be a great visa option for an investor who wants to buy or start a business. You can…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 8, 2020

Covid 19

I am in the U.S. on an E-2 visa and I need to travel to Europe. Do the travel restrictions apply to me? Will I be able to enter the U.S. if I leave?

An E-2 visa is a great option if you want to start a business in the U.S., you have invested or are in the process of investing a substantial amount of money in the U.S., and you plan to hire U.S. workers.…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 1, 2020

Covid 19

USCIS Avoids Furlough of 70% of their Employees

USCIS has announced that its has avoided the furlough of 70% of their employees, originally scheduled to occur on August 30. Since March, USCIS has seen a 50% drop in receipts and incoming fees and estimates that application and petition receipts…

Jenny ZhanAugust 26, 2020

Covid 19

National Interest Exceptions to Travel Ban Expended to H-1B and L-1 Employees

In July 2020, the Department of State announced that certain business and student travelers may apply for a National Interest Exception (“NIE”). The NIE allows such travelers to travel to the United States even with the travel bans remaining in effect.…

Jenny ZhanAugust 17, 2020

Immigration L-1 Visa

What does the Presidential Proclamation on L visas mean for my application? Can I still apply for an L visa at a U.S. Consulate? Can I apply for L-1 status from within the US?

On June 22, 2020, a Presidential Proclamation was issued that impacts the ability of certain visa holders to enter the United States. Under this proclamation anyone who was outside the United States as of June 24, 2020 and did not…

Jenny ZhanAugust 17, 2020

Covid 19

Canadians travelling to the U.S. during Covid: Q&A

I am a Canadian national. Can I cross the U.S./Canada land border? No. The joint U.S.-Canada initiative that was first implemented on March 21, 2020 for 30 days and has since been extended (most recently to August 20) restricts all…

Jenny ZhanAugust 17, 2020

Covid 19

Travelling to the U.S. from Europe during Corona Virus: Questions and Answers

Are the Presidential proclamations banning entry from the Schengen countries and the UK and Ireland still in effect? Yes. The Presidential proclamations imposing travel restrictions on visitors who were present in Schengen area countries, the UK, or Ireland within 14…

Jenny ZhanAugust 11, 2020

Covid 19

What is National Interest Exception? Do I qualify for a National Interest Exception? Can I travel to the U.S. on an E-2 visa?

Jenny ZhanAugust 10, 2020

Covid 19

Coronavirus Update: Spanish Consulate to Resume Visa Processing

The U.S. Embassy in Madrid will resume visa processing on July 20, 2020. Visa services will resume in phases, however Madrid has not announced which visas will take priority. The consulates in London and Belfast are processing immigrant visas for…

Jenny ZhanJuly 23, 2020

Covid 19

Coronavirus Update: Federal Judge Declines Request to Release Families in ICE Detention

On Wednesday, a federal judge has denied a blanket request to release families in ICE custody. The initial request urged the release of families in detention given the confined setting and potential spread of the coronavirus. Despite raising the issue…

Jenny ZhanJuly 23, 2020

Covid 19

Coronavirus Update: Department of State Announces Certain Exceptions to Travel Ban

The Department of State announced on July 16, 2020 travel ban exceptions to certain business travelers, investors, treaty traders, academics, and students. These travel ban exceptions apply to residents from the Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland. Due to the…

Jenny ZhanJuly 21, 2020

Covid 19

Coronavirus Update: ICE Extends Form I-9 Compliance Procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic (Updated)

ICE has announced today that it is extending its relaxed I-9 employment verification procedures for another 30 days, or until November 19, 2020. In normal times, when an employee starts at a company, companies are obligated to completes the I-9…

Jenny ZhanJuly 20, 2020

covid 19 | Scott Legal, P.C.

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?

I need an earlier visa appointment at a U.S. Consulate. Can I request an expedite appointment?

My extension of status petition has been pending for a long time. What can I do to speed up the process? Can I file an expedite request?

Trump Administration Lifts Coronavirus Travel Ban on Europe and Brazil. President-Elect Likely to Reject the Proclamation

Are the U.S. Consulates currently open? Are the U.S. Consulates currently processing E-2 visa applications?

Can I apply for a National Interest Exception at a CBP office at the airport? Do I need to apply through a U.S. Consulate abroad first? What is the procedure?

How will the Second Stimulus Bill Impact E-2 visa holders? Is there a Second round of PPP for E-2 visa holders? Can I get a PPP Loan on an E-2?

Can I come to the U.S. from Canada during Covid? Should I fly or should I enter the U.S. by a car? Can I come to the U.S. as a tourist during Covid?

Are the presidential proclamations restricting entry to the U.S. from certain countries still in effect? When will the travel restrictions be lifted?

Can I study in the U.S. during Corona virus? Can I apply for an F-1 visa? Can I take online classes only if I am in the U.S. on F-1 visa?

Is USCIS conducting green card interviews during Covid-19? Can my green card interview be waived?

I am a U.S. citizen/green card holder and my family wants to come to the U.S. Can my family come visit me if they are subject to the travel ban to the U.S.?

Are the U.S. Consulates processing E-2 visa applications? Are the U.S. Consulates conducting E-2 visa interviews?

US Consulate in Toronto has Resumed Processing E-2 Applications

I am in the U.S. on an E-2 visa and I need to travel to Europe. Do the travel restrictions apply to me? Will I be able to enter the U.S. if I leave?

USCIS Avoids Furlough of 70% of their Employees

National Interest Exceptions to Travel Ban Expended to H-1B and L-1 Employees

What does the Presidential Proclamation on L visas mean for my application? Can I still apply for an L visa at a U.S. Consulate? Can I apply for L-1 status from within the US?

Canadians travelling to the U.S. during Covid: Q&A

Travelling to the U.S. from Europe during Corona Virus: Questions and Answers

What is National Interest Exception? Do I qualify for a National Interest Exception? Can I travel to the U.S. on an E-2 visa?

Coronavirus Update: Spanish Consulate to Resume Visa Processing

Coronavirus Update: Federal Judge Declines Request to Release Families in ICE Detention

Coronavirus Update: Department of State Announces Certain Exceptions to Travel Ban

Coronavirus Update: ICE Extends Form I-9 Compliance Procedures during COVID-19 Pandemic (Updated)

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