department of state

H-1B and E-3 Visa

Important Update on U.S. Visa Renewals – DOS Stateside Visa Renewal Pilot Begins January 29, 2024

In an effort to streamline visa renewals and reduce global wait times, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced a pilot program for stateside visa renewals, set to commence on January 29, 2024.

Khadija DerrickJanuary 26, 2024

E-2 Visa

Foreign Affairs Manual Update Changes How Visa Validity & Reciprocity Fees are Determined for Spouses and Children of E-2 Visa Holders

An update to the Foreign Affairs Manual has changed how visa validity & reciprocity fees are determined for spouses and children of E-2 visa holders.

Khadija DerrickMay 26, 2023

Immigration

Consular Fees Will Increase as of May 30, 2023

The Department of State increased fees for non-immigrant visas and border crossing cards.

Khadija DerrickMarch 28, 2023

Immigration

What is Form DS160?

The DS160 is an online form that is submitted as part of a nonimmigrant visa application.

Khadija DerrickFebruary 24, 2022

H-1B and E-3 Visa Immigration

Department of State Officially Rescinds Trump Era H-1B Regulation

On May 19, 2021, the Department of State officially rescinded a Trump era H-1B regulation that would have tightened the criteria for the H-1B program.

Khadija DerrickJuly 1, 2021

COVID-19 E-2 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

Are Consulates Issuing E-2 Visas or are they Paused for Covid-19?

In light of the consular uncertainty and delays caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, a common question we receive is whether consulates are again processing E-2 visas. Fortunately, the answer is yes -- consulates have generally returned to processing E-2 visas,…

Khadija DerrickMarch 12, 2021

Immigration News

New DHS Public Charge Rule to Take Effect on February 24

On January 27, 2020, the Supreme Court lifted a nationwide injunction blocking the new public charge rule initially slotted to take effect on October 15, 2019. Starting on February 24, 2020, the new public charge rule will take effect in…

Jenny ZhanJanuary 31, 2020

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Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law News

Federal Immigration Policy Changes To Look Forward to in the New Year

The Department of Homeland Security and Department of State have announced the planned publication dates for proposed changes to several different visa categories. Here is what we can look forward to in the coming year. H-1B Visas Planned publication date:…

Jenny ZhanDecember 4, 2019

Immigration News

October 2018 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-3 Worldwide Categories Restored to Current

In the newly released 2018 visa bulletin, EB-2 and EB-3 visas have restored to current worldwide expect for China, the Philippines, and India after it was retrogressed for almost 2 years in September’s bulletin. Every year, Congress sets limits on…

Jenny ZhanSeptember 13, 2018

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Immigration News

September Visa Bulletin: Immediate EB-2 and EB-3 Retrogression for Most Countries

Announced in the September Visa Bulletin, Employment-Based Immigration: Second Preference (EB-2) visa have retrogressed for all countries except India to January 1, 2013, India has retrogressed to January 1, 2007. This is effective immediately and will remain through September 30,…

Jenny ZhanAugust 9, 2018

EB-5 Visa Immigration Investor Visas

May 2018 Visa Bulletin: New Cutoff Date Imposed for EB-5 Vietnam. Will I have to wait for an EB-5 visa if I am Vietnamese?

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services announced on April 11, 2018 that, due to high demand, a cutoff date of July 22, 2014 will be applied for Vietnamese EB-5 applications. Every year, Congress sets limits on the number of…

Jenny ZhanApril 13, 2018

Immigration Immigration Law Changes & New Law

What are Some of the Big Changes to the Visa Bulletin in April? Which Employment Based Categories Advanced in the April?

By law, there is a quota on the number of people who can be granted permanent resident status (green card) in any given year. Once the quota has been used up, the applicant must wait until a spot becomes available.…

Jenny ZhanMarch 28, 2018

Important Update on U.S. Visa Renewals – DOS Stateside Visa Renewal Pilot Begins January 29, 2024

Foreign Affairs Manual Update Changes How Visa Validity & Reciprocity Fees are Determined for Spouses and Children of E-2 Visa Holders

Consular Fees Will Increase as of May 30, 2023

What is Form DS160?

Department of State Officially Rescinds Trump Era H-1B Regulation

Are Consulates Issuing E-2 Visas or are they Paused for Covid-19?

New DHS Public Charge Rule to Take Effect on February 24

Federal Immigration Policy Changes To Look Forward to in the New Year

October 2018 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 and EB-3 Worldwide Categories Restored to Current

September Visa Bulletin: Immediate EB-2 and EB-3 Retrogression for Most Countries

May 2018 Visa Bulletin: New Cutoff Date Imposed for EB-5 Vietnam. Will I have to wait for an EB-5 visa if I am Vietnamese?

What are Some of the Big Changes to the Visa Bulletin in April? Which Employment Based Categories Advanced in the April?

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