02 Sep 2021

The U.S. Consulate in Chennai issued me an F-1 visa last week, but it does not contain an annotation verifying that I have an NIE. Do I need to go back to the consulate to get this corrected?

Answer This should not be a cause for concern. F-1 students now are generally eligible for blanket waivers. Therefore, no annotation is needed.  (02.Sep.2021)Sheela Murthy and other senior attorneys provide guidance that clarifies the law. For information on our FREE online services, click here. Access more...

19 Aug 2021

I was in the U.S. working pursuant to STEM OPT. Two weeks ago, I needed to return to India for a family emergency. I have a valid F-1 visa, and now wish to return to the U.S. Do I need to first apply for an NIE?

Answer Initially, the guidance from the U.S. Department of State (DOS) regarding F-1 students returning to the U.S. was extremely vague. Fortunately, the DOS has recently clarified that F-1 students (including those on CPT or OPT) who will resume their programs on or after August 1,...

08 Jul 2021

Overview of COVID-19 Travel Restrictions and National Interest Exceptions

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, foreign nationals traveling to the United States from certain countries have been subject to travel restrictions based on several presidential proclamations. The presidential proclamations currently in effect suspend entry to the United States of certain individuals who were present in...

06 May 2021

If I travel from India to Mexico and stay there for two weeks, can I then enter the U.S.? Or would the travel ban still apply to me?

Answer The suspension of travel from India due to the pandemic only applies to people who were physically in India during the past 14 days. If a person travels to a third country, such as Mexico, for two weeks, the travel ban would not prevent that...

05 May 2021

Exemptions and Exceptions to Proclamation Suspending Travel from India to Curb COVID-19

President Biden's Proclamation suspending travel from India, first announced on Friday, April 30, 2021, is now effective. The Proclamation bans the entry of nonimmigrants who were physically present in India during the last 14-days, and is effective until further notice.Importantly, this prohibition on entry has...