Executive Order Extending Travel Restriction to U.S. from Iran, China, Brazil, Europe/Schengen Countries (including United Kingdom and Ireland); adding South Africa
On January 25, 2021, President Biden signed an Executive Order to maintain the COVID travel restrictions for entry to the U.S. within 14 days of being physically present in Brazil…Biden Administration Revokes Trump Administration “Travel Bans”
On January 20, 2021 President Biden issued a Proclamation on Ending Discriminatory Bans on Entry to The United States. This Proclamation revokes the following Executive Orders issued by the Trump…ACE Sends Letter to USCIS Addressing OPT/STEM OPT Processing Delays
On January 26, 2021, the American Council on Education (ACE) sent a letter to USDHS addressing the ongoing concerns of the higher education community on the OPT/STEM OPT processing delays…U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 02/21/2021
UPDATED 01/22/2021: USCBP USCBP has posted to its Twitter account that the Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended for an additional period (to February…U.S. will require negative Covid-19 tests for international travelers entering the U.S.
Under a new federal Order that will take effect January 26, 2021, air passengers arriving to the US from a foreign country will be subject to new COVID-19 testing requirements. Passengers…Trump Administration Extends Two Immigration- Related Proclamations to March 31, 2021
On December 31, 2020, the Trump administration announced the extension of the following two policies: (1) Immigrant entry restriction extended to March 31, 2021: On April 22, 2020, a Presidential…U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 01/21/2021
UPDATED 12/20/2020: USCBP announces via Twitter that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended. The posting is not as definitive as past notices, referring to…Guidance on Remote Student Appointments Performed Outside the U.S. (Spring 2021)
December 2020 Update (posted 12/07/2020) On December 7, 2020, Ian Waitz, Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate and Graduate Education at MIT, emailed and posted a “December 2020 Update” and FAQ for…Court Rulings Halt Implementation of Recent H-1B/DOL/Prevailing Wage Interim Final Rules
As a result of a court ruling on December 1, 2020, the two rules affecting the H-1B and E-3 visa programs, and PERM Labor Certifications that were described in our Update…USCIS Extends Validity of Certain Forms I-797 for I-9 Processing Due to Document Issuance Delays
On November 23, 2020, USCIS announced that it will further extend acceptance of certain Form I-797 Notices of Action for completing Forms I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification given delays in processing…U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 12/21/2020
UPDATED 11/20/2020: USCBP announces via Twitter that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended. The posting is not as definitive as past notices, referring to…U.S. Department of State Posts Update to Phased Resumption of Visa Services Announcement/FAQ
On November 12, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) posted to its website an update to its announcement and FAQ on “Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services“. The announcement/FAQ…Chinese Consulate General Posts Guidance on New Airline/Travel Requirements for Entry to China due to COVID-19
On October 29, 2020, the Consulate General of China posted on the Chinese Embassy/Consulate websites new COVID-19 testing requirements to board flights, and entry, to China. The new requirements are…U.S. Department of Labor (Employment and Training Administration) and U.S. Department of Homeland Security Publish New Rules on Prevailing Wages, H-1B
1. DOL Publishes Rule: “Strengthening Wage Protections for the Temporary and Permanent Employment of Certain Aliens in the United States.” On October 8, 2020, the US Department of Labor, Employment…Summary – USDHS PROPOSED Rule Impacting Period of Admission for F, J, and I Visa Status
As we first noted on September 25, 2020, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a Proposed Rule to change the period of admission to the U.S. for F and J…USCIS Increases Premium Processing Fee
On Friday, October 16, 2020, US Department of Homeland Security published an Announcement indicating the fee for “premium processing” of applications by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will rise…U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 11/21/2020
UPDATED 10/19/2020: USCBP announces that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended to November 21, 2020. This is an additional 30-day extension of a restriction…USCIS Temporarily Prohibited from increasing fees on October 2, 2020
On September 29, 2020, the U.S. District Court for Northern California issued a temporary injunction and stay on implementation of the 2020 USCIS final fee rule. The ruling temporarily prevents…USDHS Publishes PROPOSED Rule Impacting Period of Admission for F, J, and I Visa Status
On September 25, 2020, the US Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) published a Proposed Rule to change the period of admission to the U.S. for F and J students and exchange visitors,…