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Visas New Guidance

Follow this channel for insights, news, and commentary on a wide array of visa-related matters by leading immigration lawyers and law firms. Now more than ever; stay in the know.
Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

DOS Resumes Processing Visas for F-1/M-1/J-1 Applicants with Enhanced Social Media Vetting

On June 18, 2025, the Department of State (DOS) instructed consulates worldwide to implement a mandatory expansion of social media vetting for all F, M, and J visa applicants (students and exchange visitors)....more

Shipman & Goodwin LLP

U.S. Department of State Provides Limited Guidance on National Interest Exception for Visa Issuance

Shipman & Goodwin LLP on

On June 9, 2025, restrictions on travel to the U.S. went into effect via Presidential Proclamation, impacting certain citizens of 19 different countries. Those impacted by the Proclamation can still submit visa applications...more

Littler

Student/Exchange Visitor Visa Processing Resumes with Expanded Screening for Social Media

Littler on

Last month the State Department temporarily paused processing of all new student and exchange visitor visa appointments (including F, M, and J visas) at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide while it developed and expanded...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

State Department Pauses New Student and Exchange Visitor Visa Interviews: New Vetting Procedures Expected Soon

On May 27, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio directed all U.S. embassies and consulates to pause scheduling all new visa interview appointments for foreign national students and exchange visitors applying for F, J, and M...more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

Department of State Temporarily Suspends Visa Interviews for Foreign Students & Exchange Visitors

On May 27, 2025, the Department of State issued a cable instructing U.S. Embassies and Consulates to pause scheduling new visa appointments for foreign nationals seeking to obtain student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and...more

Bond Schoeneck & King PLLC

Immigration Applicants’ Social Media Content to be Screened for Support of Antisemitic Terrorism, Terrorist Organizations and...

On April 9, 2025, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued guidance stating that it will begin considering individuals’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish...more

Tarter Krinsky & Drogin LLP

How U.S. Visa Applicants Can Protect Their Status Amidst Heightened Scrutiny

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have indicated they will focus with more scrutiny on social media vetting for student and exchange visitor applicants. These...more

Husch Blackwell LLP

New Visa Rules Target Transgender Individuals: Considerations for Employers and Educational Institutions - Updated

Husch Blackwell LLP on

A memo issued by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, titled “Guidance for Visa Adjudicators on Executive Order 14201: ‘Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,’” introduces new U.S. visa policies that affect transgender individuals...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

State Department Updates Criteria for Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waivers

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State updated visa interview waiver (“drop box”) eligibility criteria for individuals renewing their visa stamps, resulting in sudden drop box appointment cancellations and...more

Bricker Graydon LLP

Update from the Office of the Attorney General on Charging Decisions, Plea Negotiations, and Sentencing

Bricker Graydon LLP on

For those who do not practice in the criminal realm, a few changes have come out recently that might impact employers and private companies related to immigration generally, as well as hiring, internal audits and internal...more

Littler

UK Government Issues New Guidance for Employers Sponsoring Migrant Workers

Littler on

The UK government has published several significant changes to their guidance for employers sponsoring migrant workers. We have summarised the key changes sponsors should be aware of below....more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

USCIS Waives COVID-19 Vaccination for Adjustment of Status Applicants

Overview Effective January 22, 2025, USCIS will no longer require Adjustment of Status applicants to obtain a COVID-19 vaccination as part of the Adjustment of Status process. USCIS will waive all requirements that Adjustment...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

Navigating Change: What Updated USCIS Guidance on EB-2 National Interest Waiver Means for Petitioners

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its policy guidance on Jan. 15, 2025, to clarify how it will evaluate candidates’ eligibility for second preference employment based (EB-2) immigrant visa with a...more

Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Understanding the First Preference Extraordinary Ability Category for Immigrant Visas and USCIS’s New Guidance

Seyfarth Shaw LLP on

The Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) immigrant visa category is designed to attract top and critical talent to the U.S. This category includes individuals with extraordinary abilities in fields such as science, arts,...more

UB Greensfelder LLP

USCIS Issues New Guidance on EB-1A Eligibility Criteria for Individuals with Extraordinary Ability

UB Greensfelder LLP on

Policy guidance clarifies application eligibility evidence for EB-1A immigrant classifications - Effective October 2, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy guidance to further clarify the...more

Miller Canfield

Domestic H-1B Visa Renewals: Learn How to Apply on Jan. 29

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The Department of State “DOS” has published guidance and FAQs advising eligible H-1B visa applicants on how they can participate in its pilot program for domestic H-1B visa renewals, which will begin on January 29, 2024. ...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

USCIS Issues New Guidance on F and M Student Visa Classifications

On December 20, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its official policy manual chapters on F and M nonimmigrant student classifications....more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

New USCIS Policy Guidance on Two-Year Home Residence Requirement for J Nonimmigrant Classification

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

USCIS has issued new policy guidance explaining how it determines whether a beneficiary has met the two-year home residence requirement applicable to nonimmigrant exchange visitors in J status....more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

USCIS Employment Authorization Document Validity Period Updates

USCIS INCREASES EMPLOYMENT AUTHORIZATION DOCUMENT VALIDITY FOR SELECT CLASSIFICATIONS - USCIS issued updated guidance increasing the validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) issued to certain...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

USCIS Guidance Permits Use of Dates for Filing Chart in Calculating Child Status Protection Act Age

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently updated its policy manual, effective as of February 14, 2023, to include new provisions regarding how to calculate a “CSPA age” for dependent children approaching the...more

Gibney Anthony & Flaherty, LLP

January 2023 Visa Bulletin Brings Retrogression in the New Year

The Department of State released the January 2023 Visa Bulletin. As forecasted in our Fiscal Year 2023 visa availability analysis, we are now seeing the retrogression for Indian and Chinese nationals in the EB-1 category....more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

L-2 and E Dependent Spouses: CBP Begins Implementing New I-94 Designations

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) recently issued policy guidance addressing the automatic extension of status for H-4, L-2, and E dependent spouses in response to the settlement of a class action lawsuit. ...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

USCIS Reaches Settlement Agreement for H-1B Petitions in Madkudu v. USCIS

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

USCIS entered into a settlement agreement in Madkudu v. USCIS that may signal changes in how USCIS will determine which positions qualify as a “specialty occupation” for H-1B purposes. During the Trump Administration, USCIS...more

Burr & Forman

COVID-19 Vaccination Update for Green Card Applicants

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Beginning October 1, 2021, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all applicants applying for lawful permanent residence (i.e. green card) with some exceptions. ...more

Cozen O'Connor

Green Card Applicants Must Receive the COVID-19 Vaccine

Cozen O'Connor on

On August 24, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced a new policy that will require foreign nationals applying for a U.S. permanent resident card (green card) to be fully vaccinated against...more

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