The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established in 1986 with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so.
[Federal Register: May 20, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 97)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 28188-28194]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr20my10-3]
-----------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF STATE
22 CFR Part 22
[Public Notice: 7018]
RIN 1400-AC57
Schedule of Fees for Consular Services, Department of State and Overseas Embassies and Consulates
AGENCY: Bureau of Consular Affairs, State.
ACTION: Interim final rule.
Release Date: May 20, 2010
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
See the attached CRS report on "Immigration Visa Issuances And Grounds for Exclusion".
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be transitioning the intake function of several more forms from the Service Centers to its Lockbox network. By centralizing form and fee intake to a Lockbox environment, USCIS will improve consistency and integrity in the intake process.
The forms scheduled for the transition:
Office of the Spokesman Washington, DC
May 24, 2010
On May 20, 2010, the Department of State published an interim final rule in the Federal Register to increase nonimmigrant visa application processing fees, also called the Machine-Readable Visa (MRV) fee, and Border Crossing Card (BCC) fees. The interim final rule also establishes a tiered structure with separate fees for different nonimmigrant visa categories. The new fees are scheduled to go into effect on June 4, 2010.
WASHINGTON - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it has revised the Employment Authorization Document (EAD), or Form I-766, to incorporate the addition of a machine-readable zone on the back of the card..
The Department of State alerts U.S. citizens traveling to or residing in South Africa to safety and security issues related to the FIFA World Cup taking place in nine cities across the country from June 11 to July 11, 2010. This travel alert expires July 31, 2010. Full information about the World Cup for American visitors is available on the U.S. Mission to South Africa's dedicated World Cup website.
I am a child of a permanent resident and I got a I-130 approved 2003 but I was under the age and still single never been married when that was approved. Right now I posses an Employment Authorization that I have been re-applying for since 2000. Can I apply for a permanent resident?
I am assuming your priority date is not current. If that is so, you cannot get your green card until all preconditions, including the priority date being current, are met.
I have a P1 visa. Is there anyway to change this to a green card?
You may be able to apply for a green card if you meet the requirements of EB-1, aliens with extraordinary ability or based upon a job offer, and of course, if a family-based possibility exists
There is a limiation of 100 H-1B2 visas, how do you know if there are any available? I have tried to contact USCIS and NVC but no help.
I am not sure of a separate quota, but remember there is also no bar to also applying for an H-1B as a specialty occupation worker. That quota is still open.
I have my H1B through a consultant company in USA. I never traveled on this visa and never worked for this consultant company. Now I have a direct job offer from another employer. My new employer wants me to work for them directly instead of going through my current visa sponsor. Can I transfer my visa to my new employer and enter US on this new visa? What is required for this? And how much time shall it take?
Sure. Have the new employer apply for H-1 for you. Apply for premium processing.
Executive Summary June 1, 2010
Listening Session – Employment Eligibility Verification
Background
I got my parents Visitor Visa stamped when I worked for Company A . But now I work for company B and I am planning to get them to US now. Do they need to go for stamping again?
I see no need for a new visa.
I'm a U.S. citizen working overseas with the U.N. Can my wife (GC holder) use the N-470 to preserve her residency while staying overseas with me?
Yes, she can, as long as she meets the other requirements of N-470.
I am a US citizen can I apply for green card for her while she is in US and can she stay here while the application is in process?
The answer to both your questions is - yes. But you MUST speak with a lawyer to understand all the nuances of her case.
As an australian actor/singer and teacher...would an E3 work for me and could an agency act as an employer in that case?
E-3 visas are available only for those jobs that demonstrably require a bachelor's degree in the field of work you will be performing. We recently provided assistance in an E-3 visa for a Shakespearean actor and teacher who was coming to teach acting classes in USA. He would probably not have qualified as an artist under E-3 visa, because to be an actor, a bachelor's degree in performing arts is usually not required. But as a teacher, a bachelor's degree was indeed required.
Release Date: June 3, 2010
For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Washington, D.C. - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced that the United States and France have established an arrangement to implement the Immigration Advisory Program (IAP)--which allows for the identification of high-risk travelers at foreign airports before they board aircraft bound for the United States--at Paris' Charles De Gaulle International Airport.
I am a 2010 DV Lottery winner whose number is projected to be current in August 2010. My employer has started the first stages of the labor certification process. The job has just been advertised. They decided to go on with the process and will stop it when I have the green card in hand. When I go for the DV interview through Consular Processing, will the labor certification process negatively affect my chance to get the DV green card? Will there be any problem? Should I stop my employer from continuing the labor certification?
I see no problem at all with the two processes proceeding concurrently. I always advise people to concurrently file green card through all categories under which they can qualify.
I came to USA as L2 with my spouse, after leaving my job. Now my parent company is asking me to take up their assignment based at USA. and also asking me to confirm the possibility of starting their office at States.
Is these possible? at least working for them is possible. I have my EAD. Can I work and take salary from outside USA firm?
Once you have the EAD you can work for anyone in USA, including a company that is not in USA.
Can a friend co-sign for me to bring my brother to the United States, I have green card and i don't make enough money. I just want to know if a friend can co-sign for me.
An affidavit of support can be co-sponsored by your friend. But green card holders cannot sponsor siblings for green cards, only US Citizens can.
I was very impressed with Mr. Khanna's consultation with reference to a matter related to a denied entry to the USA. I found him to be very thorough,knowledgeable,precise and a down to earth professional. He understood the problem quickly and advised on the matter in a non-hurried manner-which I believe is very important to any person seeking his advice. I would highly recommend him for his services.