US Immigration News and Updates
TRAVEL SUSPENSION TO THE UNITED STATES DUE TO CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) (12 March 2020)
On the evening of 11 March 2020, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation stating that travel to the US for foreign nationals who have been present in the EU’s Schengen zone fourteen (14) days prior to their entry into the United States will be suspended for thirty (30) days beginning Friday, 13 March 2020.
These countries, known as the Schengen Area, include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The suspension does not apply to US citizens, immediate family members of US citizens, and US permanent residents. Nevertheless, these travellers may be subject to enhanced screening at the port of entry.
It is also important to note that the temporary suspension DOES NOT apply to the United Kingdom (unless travellers have visited the Schengen zone fourteen days prior to their entry into the US).
Barella Global will continue to update our clients as more information becomes available.
On the evening of 11 March 2020, President Trump signed a Presidential Proclamation stating that travel to the US for foreign nationals who have been present in the EU’s Schengen zone fourteen (14) days prior to their entry into the United States will be suspended for thirty (30) days beginning Friday, 13 March 2020.
These countries, known as the Schengen Area, include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
The suspension does not apply to US citizens, immediate family members of US citizens, and US permanent residents. Nevertheless, these travellers may be subject to enhanced screening at the port of entry.
It is also important to note that the temporary suspension DOES NOT apply to the United Kingdom (unless travellers have visited the Schengen zone fourteen days prior to their entry into the US).
Barella Global will continue to update our clients as more information becomes available.
USCIS Announces New Filing Addresses for Form I-829 (13 August 2018)
New filing location for EB-5 investors when submitting their petition to remove conditions
USCIS announced today that EB-5 investors filing Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions, must now file the petition at the designated USCIS lockbox. Previously, all petitions were filed with the California Service Center. Despite the change in filing location, the Immigrant Investor Program Office will continue to adjudicate all petitions received.
New filing location for EB-5 investors when submitting their petition to remove conditions
USCIS announced today that EB-5 investors filing Form I-829, Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions, must now file the petition at the designated USCIS lockbox. Previously, all petitions were filed with the California Service Center. Despite the change in filing location, the Immigrant Investor Program Office will continue to adjudicate all petitions received.
September 2018 Visa Bulletin (08 August 2018)
The US State Department released the Visa Bulletin for September 2018
The DOS has released the September 2018 Visa Bulletin which may be found at the following link.
The US State Department released the Visa Bulletin for September 2018
The DOS has released the September 2018 Visa Bulletin which may be found at the following link.
EB-5 Backlog Update (06 August 2018)
China and Vietnam will be backlogged for the foreseeable future; other countries to join them soon
Mr. Charles Oppenheim, the Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, U.S. Department of State, has stated that no visas are available for EB-5 investors from China and Vietnam for the foreseeable future. If a Chinese investor has an I-526 priority date of April 2018, Mr. Oppenheim indicated it could take as long as 15 years for a visa to become available. In addition to China, there are also no visas immediately available for Vietnam. It is expected there will be a backlog for nationals of India, Brazil, South Korea, and Taiwan by summer 2019. Barella Global encourages investors from any of those countries to speak with one of our team members to avoid potential delay.
China and Vietnam will be backlogged for the foreseeable future; other countries to join them soon
Mr. Charles Oppenheim, the Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division, U.S. Department of State, has stated that no visas are available for EB-5 investors from China and Vietnam for the foreseeable future. If a Chinese investor has an I-526 priority date of April 2018, Mr. Oppenheim indicated it could take as long as 15 years for a visa to become available. In addition to China, there are also no visas immediately available for Vietnam. It is expected there will be a backlog for nationals of India, Brazil, South Korea, and Taiwan by summer 2019. Barella Global encourages investors from any of those countries to speak with one of our team members to avoid potential delay.
USCIS Form Updates (02 August 2018)
USCIS has announced that several forms have been updated
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization has been updated. Beginning 17 September 2018 only the latest version (31 May 2018) will be accepted.
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker has been updated. Beginning 17 September 2018 only the latest version (09 May 2018) will be accepted.
Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney has been updated. Beginning 17 September 2018 only the latest version (23 May 2018) will be accepted.
USCIS has announced that several forms have been updated
Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization has been updated. Beginning 17 September 2018 only the latest version (31 May 2018) will be accepted.
Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker has been updated. Beginning 17 September 2018 only the latest version (09 May 2018) will be accepted.
Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney has been updated. Beginning 17 September 2018 only the latest version (23 May 2018) will be accepted.
