13 Jul 2020

NewsFlash! Consulates May Begin Phased Resumption of Visa Services, Effective July 15th

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has announced via Twitter that "[b]eginning July 15, US Embassies and Consulates may begin the phased resumption of routine visa services depending on local conditions." No further details have been provided.As previously reported, the consulates are not expected to...

05 Jun 2020

June 2020 Visa Bulletin Check-In

Most months, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provides visa bulletin explanations and predictions. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr. Oppenheim is currently working from home, and therefore is unable to access certain government databases....

13 May 2020

Updated Visa Bulletin Information and Predictions

During a recent virtual meeting with the American Immigration Lawyers Association, Charles Oppenheim, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, provided some updated information and a couple of predictions regarding the monthly visa bulletin. All predictions refer to...

22 Apr 2020

NewsFlash! President Signs Executive Order Pausing Issuance of Most Immigrant Visas at U.S. Consulates

This evening, President Trump signed an executive order to halt the issuance of immigrant visas for 60 days. On Monday night, the President tweeted that he would "temporarily suspend immigration into the United States." In reality, his executive order merely halts the issuance of immigrant...

13 Mar 2020

NewsFlash! All Visa Appointments at U.S. Consulates in India Canceled

The U.S. Department of State announced today that, effective Monday, March 16, 2020, all nonimmigrant and immigrant visa appointments at U.S. Mission India posts - which includes the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, and all U.S. consulates in India - have been canceled. This measure...

12 Mar 2020

U.S. Imposes 30-Day Travel Ban on 26 European Countries

On March 11, 2020, President Trump announced a 30-day ban on all travel from the 26 European countries encompassing the Schengen Area, beginning Friday, March 13th. Certain individuals are exempt from the 30-day ban, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and their direct family members....