Search Results for: United States

February 14, 2022

The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that Brazil has been fully added to the U.S. Global Entry program. Designed to provide expedited entry clearance for “pre-approved, low-risk travelers” upon arrival in the United States, the Global Entry program allows pre-screen travelers to skip long processing lines and paperwork at most major international airports.

February 4, 2022

On 21 January, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its policy guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to address national interest waivers for advanced degree professionals or persons of exceptional ability. This update clarifies how the national interest waiver can be used by science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) graduates and entrepreneurs.

January 26, 2022

On 21 January 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated the USCIS Policy Manual with additional guidance on how USCIS evaluates eligibility for the O-1A “extraordinary ability” visa category. O-1A visas are reserved for individuals with an extraordinary ability in the sciences, education, business, or athletics.

January 10, 2022

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, China has required visa applicants to possess a Foreign Affairs Office Invitation, sometimes known as the ‘PU’ letter. Companies seeking these letters are encountering extended delays, high-rejections, and difficulties with dependents. Newland Chase, through our sister company CIBTvisas, offers a simpler, faster solution. If your organization qualifies, we can secure your PU letter in as few as 10-12 business days.

December 29, 2021

Effective through December 31, 2022, the U.S. State Department has authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for select groups of visa applicants.

December 21, 2021

On Dec. 15, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) extended the flexibility previously afforded to the Form I-9 compliance rules regarding physical document inspection through April 30, 2022.

December 10, 2021

On 9 December 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will temporarily waive the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record within 60 days of filing an application for the underlying immigration benefit. This temporary waiver is effective immediately and will continue until 30 September 2022.

November 24, 2021

To seek relief from immigration application delays, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and its partners filed a lawsuit, which was settled with the Department of Homeland Security.

October 29, 2021

To advance the safe resumption of global travel during the COVID-⁠19 pandemic, on 25 October President Biden issued a Proclamation emphasizing the continued enhanced measures against the spread of the virus. Travel restrictions for foreign nationals traveling from China, Iran, the Schengen Area, the U.K., Brazil, Ireland, South Africa, and India, are to be relaxed and new travel requirements for travelers from all other countries imposed. The Proclamation applies to all travelers aboard flights scheduled to arrive in the United States that depart after 12:01 a.m. EST on 8 November, 2021.

October 20, 2021

The announcement regarding relaxation of the ban on travel to the U.S. from early November will bring relief to many travelers. The U.S. authorities have confirmed that regionally-based COVID-19 travel bans will be repealed and replaced by individual-based vaccination requirements as of 8 November 2021.