Latest News

State Dept. Announces that One Millionth Visa Issued in China

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
December 15, 2011

On December 14 at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing, Ambassador Gary Locke presented the one millionth visa adjudicated in China this year. With the help of additional personnel and process improvements, Mission China has also successfully reduced the average wait time for a visa interview appointment to less than one week.

CBP Releases FY2011 Border Enforcement Statistics

Washington — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) today released year-end data on fiscal year (FY) 2011 border enforcement and management efforts, highlighting trends that reflect the Administration’s ongoing commitment to securing the border and facilitating legitimate trade and travel through targeted operations, enhanced partnerships and unprecedented deployment of personnel, technology and infrastructure along the border.

DOL Releases Employer Guide to Participation in the H‐2A Temporary Agricultural Program

To assist prospective H-2A employers in preparing their agricultural job offers and applications, the Department of Labor has posted a new Employer Guide for Participating in the H-2A Temporary Agricultural Program. This guide summarizes and explains key regulatory requirements for a U.S. employer to participate in the H-2A Program, including what documents to file, important timeframes and deadlines, helpful filing tips, and how to contact the OFLC Chicago National Processing Center for further assistance.

DOS Publishes Final Rule On Schedule Of Fees For Consular Services

[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 234 (Tuesday, December 6, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 76032-76035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-31175]

-----------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF STATE

22 CFR Part 22

[Public Notice 7706]

RIN 1400-AC57

Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates

AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, State.

New E Visa Processing For Mission ITALY

Effective December 1, 2011, all E visas applications will be processed in Rome.  Therefore, all new E visa applications submitted after December 1, 2011 should be sent to the E Visa Section in Rome following the directions on the web. (http://italy.usembassy.gov./visa/vis/vis-6-en.html) All cases will be processed in the order received.  All pending cases sent to Milan prior to December 1, 2011, will be processed to conclusion in Milan, in the order they were received. 

USCIS Case Status and Other Customer Relationship Information System Sites Unavailable Dec. 2nd - Dec. 5

USCIS will conduct system maintenance from Friday, December 2nd at 7pm (EST) until Monday, December 5th at 9am (EST).

During this time, the following on-line tools will be unavailable:

  • Check My Case Status
  • Sign-Up for Case Status
  • Check Processing Times
  • Change of Address Online
  • Civil Surgeon Locator
  • e-Request
  • Office Locator