On June 18, 2024, the Biden-Harris Administration announced initiatives to enhance the efficiency of obtaining employment-based nonimmigrant visas for U.S. college graduates with job offers. This effort aims to expedite visa processing for eligible individuals. As part of these measures, the Department will provide clearer guidelines to consular officers on recommending waivers of ineligibility to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), facilitating faster consideration alongside visa applications abroad.
These clarifications intend to streamline the process without altering the steps involved in applying for waivers, which are adjudicated by DHS’s Admissibility Review Office. Applicants can seek these waivers if deemed ineligible for a visa under certain grounds, as detailed in Section 212(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. The updates to the Foreign Affairs Manual (FAM), expected within 30 days, will outline when consular officers should recommend DHS for waivers, ensuring transparency and informed decision-making for applicants and employers alike. You can access the more detailed information from the Easing the Nonimmigrant Visa Process for U.S. College Graduates (state.gov) link.
Remzi Guvenc Kulen, Esq.
Kulen Law Firm, P.C.
