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
Summer travel is expected to remain at record high levels in 2024, continuing the upsurge since pandemic-era restrictions were lifted. International travelers should expect busy consulates and U.S. Ports of Entry. Although...more
The U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Mission China Consular Services announced on December 15, 2022, that all routine visa services would be indefinitely suspended. As of December 19, 2022, routine visa appointments at all...more
On Monday, June 15, 2020, 14 Passport Agencies entered the first phase of a three-phase re-opening plan. Beginning in March, all Passport Agencies were closed to in-person appointments for urgent passport applications except...more
As the holiday season approaches, international travelers should expect busy airports, Consulates and U.S. Ports of Entry. We encourage ALL travelers to plan ahead to minimize delays when traveling abroad and entering the...more
Even the simplest tasks tend to be chaotic around the holidays, and a trip to the U.S. Consulate for a visa interview is no exception. With no school for children and a desire to be with extended family during the holidays,...more
When you apply for visas for your employees, the employees will probably be required to appear at a U.S. Consulate in his or her home country to finish the visa application. President Trump’s directive that U.S. Consulates...more
On June 1st, the Washington Post reported that “Consular officers at U.S. embassies around the world have started more intensive vetting of some visa applicants, including asking for their social media handles, in an effort...more
Subsequent to President Trump’s March 6, 2017 Executive Order Suspending travel to the US of certain nationals and Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, and the Secretary of Homeland...more
On March 17, 2017, the Department of State (“DOS”), through the Secretary of State, issued a cable to all US consulates and embassies with guidance on enhanced screening and vetting of applications for US visas and other...more
With the holiday season rapidly approaching, now is the best time for visa holders to review their travel documents and begin planning for renewals if necessary. Planning ahead can alleviate much of the stress of...more
Seyfarth Synopsis: Department of State reports extensive wait times for visa appointments at consular posts in India. Foreign nationals planning to apply for a visa stamp in India this summer should expect wait times...more
According to Law360, operations will be closed at U.S. Embassies and Consulates around the world on Friday, October 9th, for a systems upgrade....more
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) continues to experience worldwide technical problems with issuing visas, the result of an apparent hardware failure. On June 22, 2015, the DOS announced that the visa issuance problems have...more
Before Vacation Takeoff, Buckle Up for Delays! U.S. Embassies worldwide currently are experiencing serious technological problems with their passport and visa systems. As a result, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) has...more