Latest News

USCIS Announces It Cannot Resume Processing Adoptions From Vietnam

WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it cannot approve a Form I-800, Petition to Classify Convention Adoptee as an Immediate Relative, filed on behalf of a child to be adopted from Vietnam. The Department of State (DOS) has determined that Vietnam has not proven capable of meeting its obligations under The Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (Hague Adoption Convention).

DOS Publishes Advanced Copy Of Final Rule On Schedule of Fees for Consular Services

This rule adopts as final the interim final rule published in the Federal Register on June 28, 2010 (Public Notice 7068). Specifically, the rule made changes to the Schedule of Fees for Consular Services (Schedule) for a number of different fees. This rulemaking adopts as final the changes to these fees.

Please check the attachment to see the consular fees.

State Dept. Releases Pending Final Rule On L Visas Full Validity

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.

SUMMARY:This rule permits the issuance of L visas with validity periods based on the visa reciprocity schedule; whereas the current rule limits L visas to the petition validity period, which is determined by the Department of Homeland Security.   

Validation Instrument For Business Enterprises (VIBE) – USCIS Initiates New and Free Streamlined Process

Introduction:

VIBE is a web-based adjudication tool used by USCIS to validate basic information about companies petitioning to employ alien workers. VIBE uses commercially available data from an independent information provider (IIP) to validate basic information about companies petitioning to employ certain alien workers. Dun and Bradstreet (D&B) is the current IIP for this program.

Department Of Health And Human Services Updates Poverty Guidelines

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 17 (Thursday, January 26, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 4034-4035]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1603]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Office of the Secretary

Annual Update of the HHS Poverty Guidelines

AGENCY: Department of Health and Human Services.

ACTION: Notice.

DOS Announces Pilot Program On Online US Passport Applications

U.S. Passport Card Online Application Now Available

 

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC
January 23, 2012

On January 24, the Department of State’s Office of Passport Services will launch a 90-day pilot program allowing adult U.S. citizens living in the United States and Canada to apply for a passport card online. By applying online, customers will not be required to mail in their current passport book and necessary forms, saving them time and money.

President Issues Executive Order Setting Visa Processing Goals

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 15 (Tuesday, January 24, 2012)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 3373-3375]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-1568]

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 77 , No. 15 / Tuesday, January 24, 2012 / Presidential Documents

[[Page 3373]]

Executive Order 13597 of January 19, 2012

Establishing Visa and Foreign Visitor Processing

Goals and the Task Force On Travel and Competitiveness