The U.S. consulates and embassies are currently implementing a U.S. Department of State (DOS) pilot program announced in January 2012. This program allows individuals who meet certain conditions to avoid interviewing at U.S. consulates when seeking their visas. This Visa Interview Waiver Program (IWP) is...
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is considering changes to the immigrant visa waiver process. These potential modifications are in response to recommendations for changes in processing Form I-601 applications made by the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman). While the changes are...
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that the U.S. Consulate at Chennai, India stopped processing immigrant visa (IV) petitions as of January 1, 2012. The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi and U.S. Consulate in Mumbai are now the only locations in India conducting interviews...
The issues forcing a temporary unavailability of visas in the F, M, and J category have been resolved. The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) confirmed on November 21, 2011 that F, M, and J visa processing has resumed. Given the short duration of the...
The U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India recently announced a change in L-1 visa application procedures within India. As of December 1, 2011, all L-1 visa applications filed under an approved L-1 blanket case must be submitted to the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai, India....
As the holiday season approaches, MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers should be mindful of federal holiday schedules in connection with their immigration cases. These schedules are important for expectations of appointment availability at the local U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices and U.S. consulates, as...
H1B visa refusals have become common for those working within the IT consulting industry, as regular MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers are aware. These problems have made travel abroad by H1B employees risky, if a new visa is required for reentry to the United States. This...
Permanent resident ("green card") cases can be finalized either in the United States or at a U.S. consulate abroad. When applying at the consulate, the process involves an application for an immigrant visa. One important part of the documentation needed for approval of an immigrant...
The U.S. Consulate in Mumbai, India, has announced the resumption of interviews for H and L visa applicants. The Consulate reopened the appointment schedule for all H and L applicants on August 26, 2011. The first appointments are being scheduled for September 6, 2011. Background: Temporary...
A number of inquiries have come into the Murthy Law Firm from individuals who have received eMail communications from the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India. These eMails asked for confirmation of information provided in connection with past H1B visa interviews, regarding employment verification and...
