R-1 Religious Worker
Visa Appointment Scheduling Issues at Sydney, Australia
The recent launch of Sydney’s new visa appointment scheduling website was supposed to be a technological leap towards streamlined and efficient visa processing for the U.S Consulates in Australia. Instead, it has proven to be a source of frustration, confusion, and stress for visa applicants. From failed email correspondences to vanishing MRV fees, the new…
Read MoreUSCIS Introduces New Self-Service Tool for Change of Address
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has taken another leap towards digital transformation by unveiling the Enterprise Change of Address (E-COA) self-service tool. This user-friendly platform promises improved convenience for USCIS customers who have ongoing applications, petitions, or requests and need to keep their address details updated. What is the E-COA Tool? E-COA stands out…
Read MoreDHS to End Temporary COVID-19 Flexibilities on I-9 Verification
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has signaled a significant shift in the way businesses handle their I-9 Verification processes. As of July 31, 2023, the temporary COVID-19 flexibilities that were introduced in March 2020 will come to an end. What’s more, businesses will have an additional 30 days to complete in-person physical inspections for…
Read MoreUSCIS Deadlines for Weekend and Holiday Submissions
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently announced an update to its Policy Manual for filing deadlines to address situations when the last day to file a benefit request or respond to a USCIS action falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or federal holiday. This update aims to increase flexibility for applicants and…
Read MoreInterpreter for Visa Interview at a U.S. Embassy in India
Attending a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in India can be a challenging experience, especially if you are not comfortable with English or the language spoken by the consular officer. In such cases, requesting an interpreter can help ensure clear communication and a smoother interview process. In this blog, we will guide…
Read MoreReligious Workers Site Visit Policy Changes
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on March 2, 2023, issued a policy memo that updates the way it conducts site visits for religious worker visas. The changes are aimed at enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the inspection process while continuing to ensure compliance with program requirements. In this blog, we will…
Read MoreUpdated USCIS Policy for Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) Age Calculation
The Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) is a crucial immigration law provision that provides relief to children who would otherwise reach the age of majority and lose eligibility for certain immigration benefits. Under CSPA, the age of a child is “frozen” when the initial application for certain immigration benefits, such as adjustment of status to…
Read MoreUnderstanding 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) Determination
212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) is a section of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) that outlines the criteria for inadmissibility of foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the United States. This section relates to determining whether a foreign national is likely to become a “public charge[1]” in the United States or not having proper paperwork to…
Read MoreUSCIS Extends COVID-19-related Flexibilities – perhaps a Final Extension
Certain COVID-19-related flexibilities are being extended by US Citizenship and Immigration Services until March 23, 2023. Under these flexibilities, if the request or notice was issued between March 1, 2020, and March 23, 2023, inclusive, USCIS considers a response received within 60 calendar days of the due date in the following requests or notices before…
Read MoreCBP Discontinues Passport Stamps for Travelers Entering US
Traditionally, a foreign nationals entering the United States by air or sea used to receive a passport entrance stamp or a Form I-94 (record of admission) following a document inspection at the Port of Entry (POE). Once CBP switched from using paper copies of I-94 to electronic ones, the only physical record provided to the…
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