Visa
A citizen of a foreign country, who wishes to enter the United States, generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa (green card) for permanent residence. The type of visa required is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of travel.
Success in requesting a National Interest Exception for a client with a valid H-1 visa
In this case we assisted a client whose employee, with a valid H-1 visa stamped in this passport, traveled outside the U.S. and was unable to return due to the COVID 19 travel restrictions. We prepared a comprehensive letter with details about the petitioning employer, the specific project that the employee would be assigned to, and the urgency of the employee’s presence in the U.S., to the consulate requesting consideration under the National Interest Exception (NIE) for business travel to the U.S. for vital support of the U.S.
Nonimmigrant Visas
Immigration Law
Frequently Asked Questions on US Travel Ban
Note: For the NRI readers, The Economic Times has started an immigration helpdesk. A team of experts which includes Rajiv S. Khanna addresses the most pressing issues. Please see the link below.
US travel ban: NRI Helpdesk: Can IR-5 immigrant visa holders travel to US despite travel ban? - The Economic Times
Phased Resumption of Visa Services
1 April 2021
The US State Department has made the following announcement today regarding the phased resumption of visa services.
Indian Consulate - Notice to Immigrant Visa Applicants Regarding DS-260
All immigrant visa applicants now must complete the DS-260 online immigrant visa application at https://ceac.state.gov/ceac and login tohttp://www.ustraveldocs.com/in to schedule an appointment at Visa Application Center(VAC) for biometric fingerprint and photograph collection prior to their Embassy or Consulate appointment. Failure to follow these new procedures will significantly delay visa processing.
Visa Reciprocity Tables Updated
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.
Policy Memorandum on Adjudication of Adjustment of Status Applications for Individuals Admitted to the United States Under the Visa Waiver Program
This policy memorandum (PM) provides guidance on the adjudication of Form I-485, Application to Register or Adjust Status, filed by immediate relatives of U.S. citizens who were last admitted under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). This PM updates the Adjudicator’s Field Manual (AFM) by adding a new section (j) to Chapter 10.3 and 23.5 (AFM Update AD11-30).
For more details on the memorandum please click the attachment
Special Immigrant Visa Program for Iraqi Nationals Who Worked For or On Behalf Of the U.S. Government Extended
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announces that Congress passed a bill extending the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV) program for Iraqi nationals who worked for or on behalf of the U.S. government, which the President signed into law on Oct. 4, 2013.
DOS Updates List of Countries with Limited or No U.S. Visa Services
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:
U.S.-Canada Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement
Media Note
Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
December 14, 2012
U.S. Ambassador to Canada David Jacobson and the Canadian Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Jason Kenney signed a U.S.-Canada Visa and Immigration Information-Sharing Agreement on December 13, 2012.