The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has released information on the initiation of an Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS). EVUS is designed to allow those enrolled in the program to update the biographical information of visas. EVUS is scheduled to start in November 2016...
Beginning in approximately January 2017, most nonimmigrant waiver applications that are approved will be granted with validity periods of five-years. Under the current policy, initial nonimmigrant waivers are typically only granted for one or two years. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Admissibility Review...
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) continues its careful expansion of Global Entry, an international trusted traveler program. Effective July 12, 2016, any British citizen, holding a valid U.K. passport, is eligible to apply for a Global Entry permit. Program Background Global Entry is a voluntary...
Every year, the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman submits a report to the U.S. Congress on the state of immigration services within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). This report is a key component of the CIS Ombudsman's role. The Ombudsman's office reviews U.S. Citizenship...
On June 30, 2016, President Obama signed a law aimed at strengthening the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). The Freedom of Information Improvement Act of 2016 implements policies to increase the transparency by the U.S. federal government. These important changes come on the eve of...
Travelers entering the United States on the visa waiver program (VWP) face additional screening questions when completing the application for Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). These ESTA restrictions are part of the VWP program and are based on an applicant's nationality and/or travel history. Background...
Significant progress has been made toward India's inclusion in the expedited travel program known as Global Entry. After several years of effort, a memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been entered into between the United States and India, with the goal of facilitating legitimate travel between...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has started a pilot program intended to streamline the employment-based immigration process for participating employers. The Known Employer pilot is intended to reduce or eliminate the need for repeated review and assessment on the background and bona fides of...
Starting April 1, 2016, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) will begin issuing 14-day termination notices to students who fail to submit requested additional documentation within the 30 days allowed following their admission to the United States. This information comes via an official notice issued...
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published the final STEM optional practical training (OPT) rule on March 11, 2016. In order to facilitate the transition to the new regulation, the DHS has added a STEM OPT hub to its Study in the States web portal. Transition Guidance...
