In light of the Board of Immigration Appeals decision in Matter of Ruzuku, which directed the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to accept sibling-to-sibling DNA tests as probative evidence to be considered in determining whether a qualifying family relationship exists, the U.S. Department of...
Effective immediately, the U.S. Mission to Turkey is resuming limited visa services for nonimmigrants at the U.S. embassy and consulates in Turkey. According to a statement issued by the U.S. Mission to Turkey, this was done following assurances made by the Government of Turkey related...
This morning, a federal judge in Maryland blocked the Trump Administration from enforcing the travel ban issued by executive order on September 24, 2017. This version of the travel ban was to apply to citizens of Iran, Libya, Syria, Somalia, Chad, Yemen, and North Korea,...
On Sunday, October 8, 2017, the U.S. Mission to Turkey announced that, effective immediately, the U.S. embassy and consulates in Turkey have suspended processing nonimmigrant visas. This action was taken in response to escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries. The government of Turkey responded...
On September 1, 2017, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) revised its Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM) policy guidance to consular officers regarding "misrepresentation" under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) § 212(a)(6)(C)(i). In particular, the DOS changed its policy on when a consular officer can...
Answer Generally, the consulate wants to see a letter from the end-client confirming the details of the project, and containing contact information so that the consulate can independently verify the information. If the end-client is unable / unwilling to provide such a letter, then you will...
As of September 1, 2017, the processing of U.S. visas in Russia has been greatly scaled back. Applications for nonimmigrant visas have been suspended indefinitely for all consulates in Russia, other than at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow. This action was taken in response to...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) recently updated the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), which provides official guidance to consular officers, in light of the 'Buy American, Hire American" executive order (EO) signed by President Trump on April 18, 2017. The DOS FAM update primarily serves...
Last night, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a cable to all U.S. embassies and consulates, providing instructions on how the partial travel ban is to be implemented. This is in response to a U.S. Supreme Court decision on June 26, 2017 to allow...
Reliable sources have been reporting a wave of denials of J-1 visas for international medical graduates (IMGs) applying at U.S. consular posts in Pakistan. The scenario involves Pakistani physicians requesting J-1 exchange visitor visas to begin U.S. medical residency programs at teaching hospitals in the...
