DHS Implements New Processes for Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans and Eliminates Cap for Venezuelans On January 5th, 2023, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a new process that will provide Cubans, Haitians, and Nicaraguans who are outside of the U.S., a safe, lawful and streamlined way to come to the U.S. by air and work temporarily. [...]

Extension of Interview Waiver for Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Applications December 23, 2022 In an effort to facilitate nonimmigrant travel and reduce the wait times for nonimmigrant visas, the Department of State (DOS) announced an extension of the waiver of in-person interviews to certain nonimmigrants through to December 31, 2023. The waivers will be authorized by [...]

USCIS Introduces New Edition of I-485 Application As of December 23, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new edition of the Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status that they will start accepting. Anyone submitting an I-485 that is post-marked on or before December 22nd will be accepted, [...]

Vaccination and Testing Policy for International Flights Entering the U.S.  All non-U.S. citizen, non-U.S. immigrants traveling to the U.S. by air are required to show proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Only limited exceptions apply. Learn more about this requirement and accepted vaccines.   If you are not fully vaccinated and allowed to travel to the U.S. by air through an exception, you will [...]

USCIS Form and Policy Updates Remove Barriers to Naturalization for Applicants with Disabilities On 10/19/2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an updated policy with the revision of Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. The USCIS policy manual clarifies how medical professionals can properly complete the new version of Form N-648, Medical Certification [...]

Parole Process for Venezuelans On October 12, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a collaboration with Mexico to reduce the number of Venezuelans that are attempting to utilize the Southwest Border to escape the humanitarian and economic crisis in their home country. In response, this Parole process is intended to undertake irregular migration [...]

The 2024 U.S. DV Lottery Registration Is Now Open From October 5th to November 8th   The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has released its instructions for the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Lottery Program (DV-2024) registration opened on October 5, 2022 at 12:00 pm (EST) and entrants will have until 12:00 pm (EST) on November 8th to [...]

USCIS Extends Green Card Validity Extension to 24 Months for Green Card Renewals As of Sept. 26, 2022, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is automatically extending the validity of Permanent Resident Cards (also known as Green Cards) for an additional 24 months. This is applicable for all for lawful permanent residents who file replacements [...]

CBP Begins Elimination of Entry Stamps to Travelers Upon Arrival In a continued effort to streamline the entry process for travelers, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has begun to eliminate the issuance of entry stamps in the passports of foreign nationals upon arrival in the U.S. in many airports across the U.S. CBP will [...]

Visa Bulletin for October 2022, United States Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs   IMMIGRANT NUMBERS FOR OCTOBER 2022 Number 70 / Volume X / Washington, D.C Unless otherwise indicated on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website at www.uscis.gov/visabulletininfo, individuals seeking to file applications for adjustment of status with USCIS in the [...]