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,…REMINDER: USCIS Implements New Application Fees Increases, and certain New Form Versions, Effective October 2, 2020
As part of a final rule published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on August 3, 2020, new application fees, and a new form version for certain applications, will apply to…“Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico Extended to October 21, 2020
On September 18, 2020, U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf released a statement via Twitter that restrictions on “Non-Essential” travel between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico…New Form I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) available and effective August 25, 2020
As a reminder, a new version of the Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization (version 08/25/2020), used for applications for F-1 Optional Practical Training (OPT), F-1 STEM OPT Extension, and…U.S.-Canada-Mexico “Non-Essential” Travel Restrictions Extended to 09/21/2020
UPDATED 09/18/2020: USCBP announces that Non-Essential travel restriction between Canada, the U.S. and Mexico has been extended to October 21, 2020.* * * * On August 14, 2020, USDHS Acting…Remote Student Appointments Performed Outside the U.S.
Letter from the MIT Office of the Vice ChancellorUSCIS Announces Final Fee Rule Effective 10/02/2020
On July 31, 2020, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), announced a final fee rule that will adjust fee amounts for certain applications filed with USCIS. The new fee levels…USDOS Publishes National Interest Exceptions To Presidential Proclamations Limiting Entry to U.S. by Immigrant and Certain Nonimmigrant Employment Statuses (H, L, and certain J categories)
On July 30, 2020, the U.S. Department of State (USDOS) published a list of National Interest Exceptions to the Presidential Proclamations that suspended visa issuance and travel to the U.S.…USDHS/USICE Continues March Guidance for Fall 2020 Term
On July 24, 2020, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE), issued a Broadcast Message and FAQ confirming that their March…USDHS Rescinds July 6 Guidance; Review Of March 2020 Guidance Impact on Fall 2020
On July 14, 2020, following a legal challenge by MIT and Harvard, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (USDHS) rescinded its July 6 directive and July 7 FAQ on F-1 students…U.S. Travel Restriction from Schengen Area, United Kingdom, and Ireland Lifted for Certain Visa Types
On July 16, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs officially announced that individuals traveling to the U.S. from the Schengen area, United Kingdom, and Ireland in certain…USDOS Provides Details on Phased Resumption of Routine Visa Services
On July 14, 2020, the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs has posted on its website more detailed information, and an FAQ, on the phased resumption of routine…