DHS Announces Extension of Non-Essential Travel Restrictions with Canada and Mexico
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The restriction on non-essential travel between the US, Canada and Mexico has been extended indefinitely.
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USCIS Announces Gradual Reinstatement of Premium Processing
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After temporarily suspending its premium processing service on March 20, 2020, USCIS announced today that it will gradually reinstate premium processing service for certain I-129 and I-140 filings.
Read MoreUSCIS Provides Temporary Flexibility Measures for J-1 Waiver Physicians
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In response to COVID-19, USCIS issued a Policy Memorandum outlining temporary policy changes to provide some flexibility for J-1 waiver physicians regarding the full-time work requirements of J-1 waiver programs for doctors.
Read MoreUSCIS Further Extends Temporary Office Closure Until June 4
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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it has extended temporary office closures and suspension of in-person services until June 4, 2020.
Read MorePresident's Promised Immigration Suspension Very Limited in Scope; Only Suspends Entry of Some Immigrant Visa Applicants for 60 Days
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On April 22, 2020 President Trump signed a presidential proclamation suspending the entry of only a limited group of immigrant visa applicants to the US for 60 days. The proclamation is effective as of 11.59pm on April 23, 2020. Notably, the proclamation does not impact immigrants already in the US, or individuals or any nonimmigrant visa programs, including the H-1B, L-1, TN, E, O-1, P-1, F-1, J-1 and B visa programs.
Read MoreVia Tweet, Trump Says He Plans to Sign Executive Order to Temporarily Suspend US Immigration; Provides No Other Details
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Via tweet, President Trump has announced that he plans to sign an Executive Order that would temporarily suspend immigration into the US. No other details have been provided by the President, White House staff or government agency officials.
Read MoreDHS Announces 30-Day Extension of Travel Restrictions with Canada, Mexico
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The Department of Homeland Security has announced that existing travel restrictions in place with Canada and Mexico have been extended for an additional 30 days, until May 21.
Read MoreUSCIS Declines to Offer Flexibility for Foreign Nationals Requiring Changes or Extensions of Status
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Despite the urging of immigrant advocacy groups, USCIS has has declined to offer any flexibility for foreign national individuals whose ability to file an extension or change of immigration status has been impacted by COVID-19.
Read MoreUSCIS Extends Temporary Office Closures Until May 3
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USCIS has announced that routine face-to-face services will continue to be suspended all Field Offices, Asylum Offices and Application Support Centers (ASC) until at least May 3, 2020 to help mitigate the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).
The suspension of in-person services at USCIS offices includes interviews, naturalization ceremonies and biometric collection appointments. However, USCIS will continue to provide emergency services during this time.
Read MoreUSCIS Announces 60-Day Deadline Extension for Certain RFE and NOID Responses
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, USCIS has announced that it is providing a 60-day deadline extension to assist applicants and petitioners who are responding to requests for evidence (RFEs) and notices of intent to deny (NOIDs) dated between March 1 and May 1, 2020.
Read MoreDOL Starts Issuing Electronic PERM Labor Certifications in Response to COVID-19
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Due to the COVID-19 National Emergency, the Department of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certifications has announced it will begin issuing certified Form ETA-9089 (labor certifications) by email.
Read MoreDOL Provides Flexibility on Certain PERM and LCA Requirements Due to COVID-19
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the US Department of Labor (DOL) has published an FAQ that offers some limited accommodations for employers that sponsor temporary and permanent foreign workers.
Read MoreUSCIS Will Relax "Wet Ink" Signature Requirement for Immigration Forms During COVID-19 Crisis
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Due to the COVID-19 National Emergency, USCIS has announced that starting March 21, 2020, it will accept immigration forms with digitally reproduced signatures, including Form I-129, instead of insisting on originally-signed forms with “wet ink” signatures.
Read MoreUSCIS Suspends Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions
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Effective March 20, 2020, USCIS will stop accepting requests for premium processing service on I-129 and I-140 petitions. Employers may continue submitting expedite requests as necessary in urgent situations, but USCIS retains sole discretion whether to approve or deny such requests.
Read MoreDHS Relaxes I-9 Verification Requirements for Employers as a Result of COVID-19
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In response to COVID-19, DHS has announced interim guidance that provides employers with some flexibility in terms of complying with the I-9 in-person document verification requirements.
Read MoreDHS Provides Guidance on Canadian and Mexican Border Restrictions Prohibiting Non-Essential Travel
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In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, non-essential travel between the US, Canada and Mexico has been temporarily prohibited starting March 21, 2020.
Read MoreUS Department of State Announces Suspension of Routine Visa Services at All US Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
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Routine nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services at all US Embassies and Consulates worldwide have been suspended indefinitely, effective today.
Read MoreCoronavirus Updates: UK and Ireland Added to Travel Ban; US Consulates in India, Madrid, Paris and Dublin Cancel Visa Appointments
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Coronavirus continues to impact international travel, with the UK and Ireland recently added to the US travel bans. Also, operations at US Consulates in numerous countries, including India, Spain, Ireland and France, continue to be affected by Coronavirus resulting in visa appointment cancellations and/or consular service reductions.
Read MoreHow Coronavirus (COVID-19) is Impacting Immigration; New European Travel Ban Announced
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In addition to its well-documented health impacts, Coronavirus (COVID-19) is also affecting both travel and immigration application and visa processing, as countries try to contain the spread of this virus.
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