The U.S. Department of State recently announced upcoming changes to its interview waiver process, whereby certain individuals are exempt from attending an in-person interview at a U.S. Consulate and can instead apply through...more
On July 25, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that, with few exceptions, all nonimmigrant visa applicants, including applicants under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will require an in-person interview with a...more
On July 25, the U.S. Department of State announced a sweeping rollback of the nonimmigrant visa interview waiver program — often called the “drop box” system. Under the drop box system, many applicants for nonimmigrant visas...more
As U.S. immigration policies evolve under directives from the Trump Administration, foreign nationals entering the United States to conduct business activities must prepare for heightened scrutiny. Both companies and...more
There are times when international travel may be more challenging or stressful than other times. At present, the United States finds itself in a period of significantly increased immigration enforcement occurring in the...more
You may be disappointed if your candidate was not selected for an H-1B visa in the recent cap lottery – but not all hope is lost. If you employ foreign nationals, the good news is that you can explore certain short-term,...more
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Qatar for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Qatar will be the first Gulf State to join the VWP program which allows for streamlined travel and entry to...more
Missing out on the H-1B visa lottery can be disheartening, but it’s not necessarily the end of the road. If you employ foreign nationals, the good news is that you can explore certain short-term, long-term, and even some...more
1. Choosing the Right Legal Structure - 1.1 Introduction - Establishing a business entity in the United States can be an important strategic step for any international company that wants to avail itself of the...more
Federal immigration officials announced on December 13 that the H-1B cap has been reached for FY 2024. Although you most likely expected the announcement, the finality inevitably leaves many employers and foreign national...more
Effective October 19, 2023, Israeli citizens traveling to the U.S. for business or pleasure are now able to apply to enter the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program by obtaining ESTA Travel Authorization instead of a visitor...more
Beginning on October 19, 2023, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can apply for visa-free travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)....more
On September 27, 2023, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas announced that Israel will join the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Pursuant to the designation, beginning on...more
A company that tried to use B-1 visas as inexpensive workarounds instead of H-1Bs learned the hard way that such a tactic could end up costing you dearly after it agreed to a nearly $10 million settlement with the federal...more
The United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) includes information on which citizens of treaty countries can come to the U.S. for specific activities. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) interprets that information...more
1. Choosing the Right Legal Structure - 1.1 Introduction - Establishing a business entity in the United States can be an important strategic step for any international company that wants to avail itself of the world’s...more
When the Russian army entered Ukraine on February 24, 2022, that set in motion panic for family and friends in the U.S. and the need to quickly explore visa options for their loved ones in the Ukraine, Russia, and neighboring...more
In a False Claims Act (FCA) case with implications for the use of business and work visas, the US District Court for the District of New Jersey refused on Tuesday to reconsider or allow an immediate appeal of its prior ruling...more
In a long-awaited effort to address delays and backlogs that have arisen due to consular closures and limited staffing over the last year-and-a-half, on December 23, 2021, the U.S. Department of State announced that it is...more
U.S. colleges and universities have many visa options that enable them to employ diverse and talented faculty from around the world. This article will introduce the primary nonimmigrant (temporary) visa categories used by...more
In a case that has implications for companies that utilize US work and business visas, the US District Court for the District of New Jersey recently ruled on two theories under the False Claims Act (FCA) related to the use of...more
In the initial phases of starting your business in the U.S., there are certain visas that are ideal for entrepreneurs looking to visit the U.S. on a temporary basis to meet with potential customers, negotiate deals, attend...more
For many years, U.S. employers have benefited from the “B–1 (Business Visitor) in lieu of H” policy. The policy allowed a business visitor to come to the United States as an employee of and on behalf of a foreign employer in...more
On October 21, 2020, the Department of State (“Department”) published a proposed B-1 regulation in the Federal Register. The Department seeks to revise the existing B-1 business visitor regulations by eliminating options for...more