covid 19 | Scott Legal, P.C.

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

US and Canada Border Closure Extended until November 21

On March 21, U.S., Canada, and Mexico announced that the land borders between the three countries will close to non-essential travel. The initial closure was to last through April 20 and has now been extended to November 21. The Department…

Jenny ZhanOctober 19, 2020

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

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

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

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

Coronavirus Update: U.S. and Canada Land Border Restrictions Extended Through October 21

On March 21, U.S., Canada, and Mexico announced that the land borders between the three countries will close to non-essential travel. The initial closure was to last through April 20 and has now been extended to October 21. The Department…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 21, 2020

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

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

ICE has announced that it is extending its relaxed I-9 employment verification procedures until November 19, 2020. In normal times, when an employee starts at a company, companies are obligated to completes the I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification. This verification is mandatory…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 16, 2020

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 E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

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

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

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

Coronavirus Update: U.S. and Canada Land Border Restrictions Extended Through September 21

On March 21, U.S., Canada, and Mexico announced that the land borders between the three countries will close to non-essential travel. The initial closure was to last through April 20 and has now been extended to September 21. The Department…

Jenny ZhanAugust 20, 2020

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

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

Jenny ZhanAugust 19, 2020

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

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 Immigration

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

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

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?

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…

Jenny ZhanAugust 10, 2020

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

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

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

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