USCIS has announced plans to open international field offices in Doha, Qatar, and Ankara, Turkey. These offices aim to enhance refugee processing capacity, strengthen partnerships, and improve interagency cooperation. Turkey, being a crucial location and regional refugee processing center, hosts the headquarters office for the Resettlement Support Center for Turkey and the Middle East, as well as refugee coordinators from…
Some consular processing applicants might be exempted from attending an interview if they meet certain conditions. This simplified procedure is applicable to those applying for specific nonimmigrant visa categories or seeking visa renewals within the same nonimmigrant category. You might be eligible for an interview exemption if you are applying for an H-2A or H-2B visa (for temporary agricultural and…
DOS declared that consular officers now have the discretion to waive in-person interviews for specific categories of first-time H-2 visa applicants and other nonimmigrant visa applicants meeting certain criteria. This measure, became effective on January 1, 2024, will be reviewed annually and remains in place until further notice. Remzi Guvenc Kulen Esq. Kulen Law Firm P.C.
The Department of State (DOS) has introduced a proposed rule that allows individuals such as private lawyers, interpreters, and third parties to accompany applicants during specific appointments at passport agencies, U.S. embassies, and consulates. These appointments include those for U.S. passport applications, requests for documents like Consular Reports of Birth Abroad or Certificates of Loss of Nationality, and various services…
Starting from June 17, 2023, revisions were made to the fees for nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applications. These changes applied to various visa categories, including visitor visas for business or tourism (B1/B2s and BCCs) and other non-petition-based NIVs such as student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J visas). The processing fee for these visas increased from $160 to $185.…
Department of State extended the authority of consular officers to waive in-person interviews for certain nonimmigrant visa categories until December 31, 2023. The categories that might be eligible for interview waiver are certain H-2 (temporary agricultural and non-agricultural workers) applicants; certain students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, or specialists (F, M, and academic J visa applicants); and certain temporary workers…
