Latest News

Department of State to Host Google+ Hangout on Visa Processing for Same-sex Couples

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
August 7, 2013

Last week, Secretary of State John Kerry announced that the Department of State would begin processing visas for same-sex couples in the same manner that it considers applications for opposite-sex spouses. On Thursday, August 8 at 1 p.m. EDT, the Department will host a Google+ Hangout to discuss what these new guidelines mean for both immigrant and nonimmigrant visa applicants.

Statement on Update of Embassy and Consulate Closure

Press Statement

Jen Psaki
Spokesperson, Office of the Spokesperson
Washington, DC
August 4, 2013

Given that a number of our embassies and consulates were going to be closed in accordance with local custom and practice for the bulk of the week for the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan, and out of an abundance of caution, we've decided to extend the closure of several embassies and consulates including a small number of additional posts.

Applications for Immigration Benefits and Naturalization Monthly Statistical Reports - June 2013

The "Applications for Immigration Benefits" monthly charts listed below provide data on applications and petitions received by USCIS for immigration benefits. These charts exclude all data associated with the citizenship-related applications.

The "Naturalization Benefits" monthly charts listed below provide data on the Applications for Naturalization (Form N-400) received by USCIS as of April 2013.

Student Visa and Employment

If you would like to study as a full-time student in the United States, you will need a student visa. There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. These visas are commonly known as the F and M visas.

You may enter in the F-1 or M-1 visa category provided you meet the following criteria:

Reminder on Priority Dates Movement

The August Visa Bulletin http://www.immigration.com/visa-bulletin shows good priority dates movement:

. India EB-2 advances from 2004 to 2008

. According to the visa bulletin there is a positive move for both spouses and children of permanent residents. Family-Based 2A category will be current for all countries as of August 1st.

. Green card holders and their spouses residing legally in the US should be able to file their I-485 packets in August