General Nonimmigrant Visa

This report provides an update on trends in I-94 non-immigrant admissions and the estimated number of individual nonimmigrants admitted to the United States. In 2005, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) began an effort to record all land admissions of an I-94 nonimmigrant; previously, only the initial admission was typically recorded. This process was completed at nearly all pedestrian crossings and vehicular lanes along the Southwest and Northern borders by March 2010. Increases in admissions after 2005 as reported by OIS are partly due to the counting changes.

Nonimmigrant visa interview waiver checklist provided by Mission India to determine if an applicant is eligible for nonimmigrant visa renewal without appearing for an interview.

Please check the attachment to see the checklist.

The U.S. Consulate General in Dubai will begin a new appointment system for residents of Iran to schedule appointments to apply for a U.S. non-immigrant visa on Wednesday, August 22.  

Please check the attachment for details.

As of July 29, 2012, all non-immigrant visa applicants must fill in the DS 160 application form and pay the MRV fee through purchase of a mandat compte before scheduling an appointment.  The reference numbers of both the DS 160 and the mandat compte must be provided at time of scheduling.

Important notice

Mexico City, June 29, 2012 – Following President Obama’s efforts to promote travel and tourism as important contributions to job creation and economic growth, the U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce that beginning July 1, 2012, an expanded visa renewal program will allow many more Mexican citizens and residents to renew their nonimmigrant visas without a follow-on interview at the Embassy or a U.S. Consulate.

Please check the attached CRS Report on "Immigration of Temporary Lower-Skilled Workers: Current Policy and Related Issues".

H-1B, H-1B1, E-3 Helpful Resources:
The Department has posted a contact list for the H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 Programs to assist employers with their applications. To view or download a PDF copy of the Helpful Resources for the H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 Programs, please click the attachment below.

Interpreting recent trends in I-94 nonimmigrant admissions has been complicated by more complete recording of entries into the United States. Beginning in 2005, at selected Southwest border crossings, the Department of Homeland Security installed new technology to record land admissions previously excluded from I-94 data systems; by 2010 this technology was installed at nearly all pedestrian crossings and vehicular lanes along the Southwest and Northern borders.

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 41

[Public Notice:]          

Visas: Issuance of Full Validity L Visas to Qualified Applicants

AGENCY:     State Department.

ACTION:       Final Rule.