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Proposed Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver Is Not in Effect

Submitted by Chief Editor on Apr 30th 2012

USCIS Reminds the Public to Avoid Scams and Unauthorized Practitioners of Immigration Law

WASHINGTON—On March 30, 2012, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) posted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) in the Federal Register outlining its plan to reduce the time U.S. citizens are separated from their immediate relatives (spouses, children, parents) while those family members are in the process of obtaining an immigrant visa to become lawful permanent residents of the United States.

Since the announcement, USCIS has become aware of public misperceptions about the rule-making process and when the provisional unlawful presence waiver process will take effect. To address these issues, USCIS advises:

  • The Provisional Unlawful Presence Waiver is NOT in effect. The provisional unlawful presence waiver will not be available to potential applicants until an effective date is specified in the final rule USCIS will publish later this year in the Federal Register. USCIS has published a notice of proposed rulemaking and will consider all comments received as part of that process before publishing a final rule.
  • Do not send an application requesting a provisional waiver at this time. USCIS will reject any application requesting a provisional waiver and return the application and any related fees to the applicant. USCIS cannot accept requests for a provisional waiver until the processchange takes effect.
  • Beware of notarios, or other individuals who are not authorized to practice immigration law, who claim they can help you get a provisional waiver.These individuals also may ask you to pay them money upfront to file an application for a provisional waiver. Avoid such scams. Learn to protect yourself and your family against unauthorized practitioners and immigration scams by visiting www.uscis.gov/avoidscams.
  • If you have been scheduledfor your immigrant visa interview with the U.S. Department of State, attend the interview. The Department of State may cancel your immigrant visa registration if you fail to appear for your interview.

 A detailed Web page addressing the proposed rule is currently posted to www.uscis.gov/provisionalwaiver.

Visa Reciprocity Tables Updated

Submitted by Chief Editor on Apr 27th 2012

For temporary visitors to the United States (nonimmigrants), reciprocity tables, available from the drop-down menu above, show applicable visa issuance fees by country and by visa classification type, and the maximum period of visa validity and number of applications, or entries, that may be authorized.

The Department of State has updated the visa reciprocity tables. Please click here to get the updated information.

http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/fees/fees_3272.html

 

 

State Department Processing Visas from Brazil and China at Record Pace

Submitted by Chief Editor on Apr 19th 2012

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
April 18, 2012  

Earlier this year, President Obama called for a national strategy to make the United States the world’s top travel and tourism destination, generating jobs and revitalizing our economy. The Department of State is well on the way to meeting the President’s goals of increasing visitor visa processing capacity in China and Brazil by 40 percent in 2012.

Visa Surge: In Brazil, consular officers issued more than 555,000 visas in the first half of fiscal year 2012, compared to 350,000 visas during the same timeframe in 2011, an increase of 59 percent. In China, consular officers issued more than 453,000 visas in the first half of the year, compared to approximately 310,000 visas in the same timeframe in 2011, an increase of 46 percent.

Short Wait Times: At the same time, the Department of State has reduced wait times for visa interview appointments. On average, applicants wait just five days for an appointment at U.S. consulates in China. Wait times have dropped dramatically in Brazil and now average two weeks or less in Brasilia, Recife, and Rio de Janeiro, and 35 days or less in Sao Paulo.

New Consulates: To further increase visa processing capacity in Brazil, President Obama announced on April 9 that the United States will open new consulates in Belo Horizonte and Porto Alegre. These consulates will facilitate travel and trade to support economic growth in both the United States and Brazil, and will further expand the breadth and depth of the U.S.-Brazil relationship. Additionally, the Department of State is exploring whether to add visa-issuance services in Wuhan, China.

Innovative Hiring Program: In another initiative to streamline visa processing without compromising security, the first group of newly hired consular adjudicators recently arrived at U.S. consulates in Brazil and China. These adjudicators were hired under a landmark program which targeted recruits who already speak Portuguese or Mandarin. These talented employees were selected by the State Department through a rigorous screening and security process, and given the same consular training as career Foreign Service Officers. The program offers the flexibility to quickly augment our consular staff with qualified professionals.

The State Department is committed to facilitating travel to the United States as part of broader “Jobs Diplomacy” goals. Visas for legitimate travelers are an important tool to help accelerate America’s economic revival.

State Dept. Reminder on Fees for Visa Services

Submitted by Editor on Apr 17th 2012

DOS reminder that nonimmigrant and immigrant visa application fees will change on April 13, 2012. The fees for most nonimmigrant visa applications and Border Crossing Cards will increase, while all immigrant visa application fees will decrease. All visa applicants must pay the fee amounts in effect on the day they pay, including immigrant visa applicants who pay fees to the National Visa Center (NVC).

Please click here to view State Dept. notice on Fees for Visa Services. 

 

 

DOS Announcemes Ten-Year Visa Validity for Colombians Visiting the United States

Submitted by Editor on Apr 16th 2012

Fact Sheet

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
April 15, 2012  

The State Department is pleased to announce an increase in the validity of visas for Colombians traveling on a temporary basis to the United States from five years to ten years. This means that most Colombian applicants who qualify for a B-category non-immigrant visa may be issued a 120-month, multiple-entry visa.

This extension of visa validity is supporting of the expanding partnership between the United States and Colombia on a broad array of issues, which has resulted in increased exchanges for tourism and business. The extension is also consistent with the passage of the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, which can increase investment between our two countries. A growing Colombian economy will lead to a growth in travel for education and training, tourism, and economic activities.

Approximately 577,000 Colombians visit the United States annually, according to the Department of Homeland Security.

Changes in visa reciprocity have no effect on visa eligibility or security screening procedures. Visa applicants will be subject to the same standards of eligibility for a U.S. visa as before the change in validity.

Benefits of the Visa Validity Extension:

  • Colombians qualified for a temporary visa to the United States will only need to apply to renew their visa once every ten years.
  • U.S. and Colombian businesses and service providers, including the tourist industry, will benefit from increased travel between the two countries.

DOS Issues List Of Countries With Limited Or No US Visa Services

Submitted by Editor on Apr 10th 2012

Overview – What Does this List Provide?

U.S. embassies and consulates are sometimes forced to limit or, at times, suspend visa services because of natural disasters, civil unrest, war, and/or security concerns, among other reasons. The list below notes the U.S. embassies and consulates that currently provide limited visa services, locations where visa services are suspended, and countries that do not have U.S. embassies or consulates.

The list below does not include the following:

  • Holiday closures or very short-term suspensions of service for non-security reasons.
  • U.S. embassies and consulates at which we ordinarily do not provide a particular type of visa service. See our list of Visa Issuing Posts for a complete list of the visa services provided at each of our U.S. embassies and consulates.

Limited Visa Services

Visa Services Suspended

Countries That Do Not Have a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

Limited Visa Services

The following U.S. embassies and consulates previously provided full nonimmigrant and/or immigrant visa services to the public. However, these embassies and consulates presently provide limited visa services because of natural disasters, civil unrest, war, security concerns, and/or other reasons.

Netherlands Antilles, Curaçao:

  • U.S. Consulate General Curaçao provides limited nonimmigrant visa services to applicants with Dutch passports applying for certain categories of nonimmigrant visas. Review the U.S. Consulate General Curaçao website for more information.
  • Nonimmigrant visa applications for all other categories and immigrant visa applications are processed at U.S. Embassy Caracas, Venezuela.

Saudi Arabia, Jeddah:

  • U.S. Consulate General Jeddah processes applications for: A visas for diplomats and government officials; G visas for employees and representatives to international organizations; J visas for government-sponsored international exchange visitor programs; F visas for students; and B-1/B-2 visas for business and tourism. Review the U.S. Consulate General Jeddah website for more information.
  • Applicants applying for other nonimmigrant visa categories may apply at either U.S. Embassy Riyadh or U.S. Consulate General Dhahran.
  • Immigrant visa services for all residents of Saudi Arabia are provided at U.S. Embassy Riyadh.

United Kingdom, London:

  • U.S. Embassy London will provide limited nonimmigrant visa services during the period July through the end of August 2012. Travelers requiring visas are, therefore, advised to apply early to avoid disappointment. Review the U.S. Embassy London website for more information.

Visa Services Suspended

The following U.S. embassies and consulates have suspended visa services because of natural disasters, civil unrest, war, security concerns, and/or other reasons. This list does not include U.S. embassies and consulates closed for holidays or where visa services are not being provided for a limited number of days.

Belarus, Minsk:

  • Although full visa services are suspended until further notice, U.S. Embassy Minsk processes nonimmigrant visa applications for the following limited categories: A visas for diplomats and government officials; G visas for employees and representatives to international organizations; B visas for relatives of Belarusian diplomats serving at Belarusian diplomatic missions in the United States; visas for family and medical emergencies requiring urgent travel; visas for U.S. Government-sponsored travel and programs; and visas for senior citizens, 70 years of age and older. Review the U.S. Embassy Minsk website for more information.
  • While nonimmigrant visa applicants resident in Belarus may apply in person at any U.S. embassy or consulate where they have an appointment, the suggested locations for residents of Belarus are: U.S. Embassy Moscow, Russia; U.S. Consulate General St. Petersburg, Russia; U.S. Embassy Warsaw, Poland; U.S. Embassy Kyiv, Ukraine; and U.S. Embassy Vilnius, Lithuania. Each embassy or consulate has additional information for non-resident applicants on its website. To schedule an interview appointment, please contact directly the U.S. embassy or consulate at which you would like to apply.
  • Immigrant visa services, including for K visa applications, for residents of Belarus are provided at U.S. Embassy Warsaw, Poland.

Eritrea, Asmara:

  • Although full visa services are suspended until further notice, U.S. Embassy Asmara processes nonimmigrant visa applications for the following limited categories: A visas for diplomats and government officials; G visas for employees and representatives to international organizations; F visas for students; and J visas for exchange visitors. Review the U.S. Embassy Asmara website for more information. While nonimmigrant visa applicants resident in Eritrea may apply in person at any U.S. embassy or consulate where they have an appointment, the suggested locations for residents of Eritrea are U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt, and U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Immigrant visa services for residents of Eritrea are provided at U.S. Embassy Cairo, Egypt, and U.S. Embassy Nairobi, Kenya.

Libya, Tripoli:

  • All visa services at U.S. Embassy Tripoli are suspended until further notice. Review the U.S. Embassy Tripoli website for more information.

Syria, Damascus:

  • All visa services at U.S. Embassy Damascus are suspended until further notice. Review the U.S. Embassy Damascus website for more information.

Countries That Do Not Have a U.S. Embassy or Consulate

The United States does not have diplomatic relationships with the following countries, and U.S. embassies or consulates are not located in these countries. See the information below regarding visa services for residents of these countries who seek to apply for U.S. visas.

Bhutan:

  • Nonimmigrant and immigrant visa services for all residents of Bhutan are provided at U.S. Embassy New Delhi, India. (Although the United States and Bhutan do not have diplomatic relations, informal contact is maintained through the U.S. Embassy and the Bhutanese Embassy in New Delhi.)

Iran:

North Korea:

  • No specific U.S. embassy or consulate has been designated to accept nonimmigrant and immigrant visa applications for residents of North Korea. U.S. Embassy Beijing, China, generally processes nonimmigrant visa applications for travelers visiting the United Nations in New York, since Beijing is the most convenient location.

The United States does not have a diplomatic presence in the following countries, and U.S. embassies or consulates are not located in these countries. This means that while the United States has relationships with these countries, U.S. embassies and consulates in other countries are responsible for maintaining diplomatic relations and for conducting bilateral relations with these countries. See the information below regarding visa services for residents of these countries who seek to apply for U.S. visas.

Antigua and Barbuda; Dominica; Grenada; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; and St. Vincent and the Grenadines:

  • While nonimmigrant visa applicants resident in these countries may apply in person at any U.S. embassy or consulate where they have an appointment, U.S. Embassy Bridgetown, Barbados, processes visa applications for residents of these countries.
  • Immigrant visa services from residents of these countries are also provided at U.S. Embassy Bridgetown, Barbados.

Guinea-Bissau:

  • While nonimmigrant visa applicants resident in Guinea-Bissau may apply in person at any U.S. embassy or consulate where they have an appointment, U.S. Embassy Dakar, Senegal, processes visa applications for residents of Guinea-Bissau.
  • Immigrant visa services for residents of Guinea-Bissau are also provided at U.S. Embassy Dakar, Senegal.

Visa Processing Fees to Change on April 13, 2012

Submitted by Editor on Mar 30th 2012

Effective April 13, 2012, the Department of State will adjust visa processing fees. The fees for most nonimmigrant visa applications and Border Crossing Cards will increase, while all immigrant visa processing fees will decrease.

The Department is required to recover, as far as possible, the cost of processing visas through the collection of application fees. For a number of reasons, the current fees no longer cover the actual cost of processing nonimmigrant visas. The nonimmigrant visa fee increase will support the addition and expansion of overseas facilities, as well as additional staffing required to meet increased visa demand.

Although most categories of nonimmigrant visa processing fees will increase, the fee for E visas (treaty-traders and treaty-investors) and K visas (for fiancé(e)s of U.S. citizens) will decrease.

Nonimmigrant Visa Processing Fees

Type of Visa

Previous Fee

New Fee

Tourist, Business, Transit, Crew Member, Student, Exchange Visitor, and Journalist visas

$140

$160

Petition-Based visas (H, L, O, P, Q, and R)

$150

$190

Treaty Investor and Trader visas (E)

$390

$270

Fiancé(e) visas (K)

$350

$240

Border Crossing Cards (age 15 and older)

$140

$160

Border Crossing Cards (under age 15)

$14

$15

Because of a reallocation of costs associated with immigrant visas, all categories of immigrant visa processing fees will decrease.

Immigrant Visa Processing Fees

Type of Visa

Previous Fee

New Fee

Immediate Relative and Family Preference Applications

$330

$230

Employment-Based Applications

$720

$405

Other Immigrant Visa Applications

$305

$220

Diversity Visa Program Fee

$440

$330

Determining Returning Resident Status

$380

$275

The proposed fees were published in the Federal Register today, and will take effect in 15 days. To view the interim final rule, visit www.regulations.gov. Comments will be accepted until 60 days after publication. At that time, the Department will consider the public comments, and the published final rule will include the Department’s response to any comments received.

Fee information may also be found on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website, travel.state.gov, and on the websites of U.S. embassies and consulates.

CRS Report On Visa Waiver Program

Submitted by Editor on Mar 20th 2012

Please check attachment to read CRS report on Visa Waiver Program.

Eligibility to Participate in U.S. Visa Interview Waiver Program Expands in Russia

Submitted by Editor on Mar 13th 2012

The U.S. Mission in Russia is pleased to announce an expansion of our current interview waiver program as a part of President Obama’s Executive Order to substantially increase travel and tourism to the United States. Starting immediately, certain applicants who have previously been issued a visa that expired in the past 47 months will be eligible to renew their visa without an interview.

Currently, all applicants who are in possession of a visa that has expired in the last 11 months are eligible to apply for a renewal of their visa without an interview. Under the expanded program, applicants who are renewing a B1/B2 (tourist) or C1/D (crew or transit) visa that has expired within the last 47 months are eligible to apply for a new visa without an interview. Applicants who wish to renew any other type of visas that has expired in the past 11 months are still eligible to do so without an interview. This program does not entitle any applicant to a waiver of personal appearance, and consular officers retain the authority to interview any applicant who they determine requires a personal appearance.

We hope that this initiative will simplify and speed up the non-immigrant visa process, and that eliminating interviews for these applicants will save them time and money and encourage them to choose the United States again as their tourism or business destination.

For further information on how to apply for a non-immigrant visa to visit the United States, please visit www.ustraveldocs.com/ru.

DOS Announces Capitalization Of Visa Demand to Spur Economic Growth

Submitted by Editor on Feb 2nd 2012

Capitalizing on Visa Demand to Spur Economic Growth in the United States

Today the White House unveiled new initiatives to promote the United States as a premier destination for international travelers by making our processes for moving people and goods more secure and more efficient. In a manner consistent with our high responsibility to protect America’s borders, the Department of State has taken steps to improve the visa process for all legitimate travelers who wish to visit our great nation. Travel and tourism strengthens the U.S. economy by creating jobs in communities across the United States.

The Department of State has devoted significant resources to increase efficiency and capacity in the visa process, deploying additional personnel, expanding visa sections, and utilizing new systems and technologies to facilitate legitimate travel without compromising national security. These advances allowed the Department of State to issue more than 7.5 million visas in the last fiscal year, a 17% year-on-year increase.

Increasing Visa Processing Capacity in Key Growth Markets

The Department of State adjudicated more than a million visa applications in China and more than 800,000 in Brazil in the last fiscal year. These visas brought visitors and spending to the United States. The President announced goals of increasing visa processing capacity in China and Brazil by 40% in the coming year.

Already in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012, we have processed 50% more visas in China and Brazil as compared to the same period in 2011. At the same time, we dramatically decreased the wait for visa interviews in these countries.

The President has asked the Administration to develop a plan to ensure that 80% of visa applicants are interviewed within three weeks of requesting an appointment, as security and resource considerations permit. Short wait times around the world will maximize the number of visitors who have an opportunity to visit the United States. Currently, wait times at all five visa processing posts in China are less than ten days. Wait times in Brazil continue to drop, currently down to 15 days in Rio de Janeiro and 20 in Brasilia.

Increasing Efforts to Expand the Visa Waiver Program

The President has ordered increased efforts to expand membership of qualified countries the Visa Waiver Program. Currently, more than 60% of international visitors do not require a U.S. visa, in most cases because they are from countries that participate in the Visa Waiver Program. The Department of Homeland Security administers the Visa Waiver Program, which enables eligible citizens of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa.

Since November 2008, the Department of Homeland Security has added nine countries to the program. Last month, Secretary Clinton sent a letter to Secretary Napolitano nominating Taiwan for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program, marking a first step in the admission process.

All 36 of the current participating countries share law enforcement and security-related information with the United States and are also required to maintain high counterterrorism, law enforcement, border control, and document security standards. As a result, the Visa Waiver Program facilitates international travel for millions of foreign nationals seeking to visit the United States each year, creating substantial economic benefits to the United States without jeopardizing national security.

Further Steps to Facilitate Travel

Today the President also announced that the Departments of State and Homeland Security are working together to improve and speed up the visa process for certain categories of travelers.

Under a new initiative, in select circumstances, qualified foreign visitors who were interviewed and thoroughly screened in conjunction with a prior visa application may be able to renew their visas without undergoing another interview. Eliminating interviews for these applicants will save them time and money and encourage them to choose the United States again as their tourism destination. More information is available in our FACT SHEET: Visa Pilot Program.

Posted on January 20, 2012 by the Bureau of Consular Affairs.

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