I’ve been asked several times today about how the spouse of a U.S. citizen expat can apply for a B1/B2 (visitor for business or pleasure) visa. The question typically goes something like this: I am a U.S. citizen. I have lived in China for 5 years. My wife has been denied a U.S. tourist visa…
Category: Temporary Visas
Visas for Parents to Accompany F-1 Student to the U.S.
The B-2 (visitor for pleasure) visa is as flexible as a world-class gymnast. The State Department has announced that a B-2 visa may be used by parents to accompany a minor with an F-1 (student) visa to the U.S. As background, its well known that an F-1 student’s spouse and children (under age 21) can get…
Supreme Court Upholds Travel Ban 3.0
Today, the Supreme Court upheld the third, reengineered version of President Trump’s travel ban by a vote of 5 to 4. Anastasia Tonello, President of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) issued the following statement:
More Chinese Student Visa Applicants Will Be Subject to Security-Related Delays
A State Department official has spoken on background to the Associated Press, saying that more Chinese applying for F-1 visas as graduate students in fields related to science and technology will need “special clearance from multiple U.S. agencies” and that such clearances are “expected to take months for each visa application.” Other nonimmigrant visa applicants…
AmCham China Addresses U.S. Visa Policy in 2018 White Paper
2018 is a historic year for American companies operating in China: as China marks its 40th anniversary of economic reform and opening, AmCham China is issuing the 20th edition of its American Business in China White Paper. This paper is a comprehensive assessment of the operating environment for foreign companies in China. It was a…
U.S. Visa Denied? Here are Your Options
If your visa is denied, you may be confused and frustrated. And consular officers may be unwilling or unable to properly explain the grounds for refusal and your options for overcoming the refusal. How can an attorney help?
Proving Nonimmigrant Intent for a U.S. Visa
1. Introduction Eligibility for many types of nonimmigrant visa require proof that the applicant (a) is not an intending immigrant, (b) has an unabandoned foreign residence, and/or (c) is coming to the U.S. temporarily. This article describes that set of requirements, which are often loosely described as nonimmigrant intent. Understanding that set of requirements is…
President Trump Rescinds Obama-Era Goal to Speed Visa Processing
President Trump on June 21 rescinded an executive order issued by former President Obama in 2012 that sought to speed up visa interview wait times for nonimmigrant visa applicants, including visitors for business or pleasure, students, and other temporary visitors. More visa delays and denials are likely as a result of the Trump administration’s reduced emphasis…
Chinese Visitor and Student Overstays in U.S. Fewer Than Global Average
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has just published it’s FY 2016 entry/exit overstay report. It shows that the visa overstay rate for Chinese visitors and students is lower than the global average and decreasing over time.
H-1B Visas: USCIS and Dep’t of Labor Tighten Rules and Investigate Fraud
While the H-1B petitions submitted for the lottery this cap season were still in transit to the USCIS, both the USCIS and the DOL announced several measures aimed at detecting H-1B visa fraud and abuses. The rules focus on computer programmers, site visits, and protecting American workers.
Tell CBP: Don’t Spy on Chinese Travelers’ Social Media
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has published a Feb. 21, 2017, notice of its intent to collect Chinese travelers’ social media account information. There is a 60-day window for public comment. Tell CBP this is a bad idea. 2017-04-12 Update: The American Chamber of Commerce-China has submitted a comment to CBP explaining why they oppose the…
Client Alert: State Dep’t Begins Stricter Vetting of Visa Applicants
U.S. Secretary of State Rex Tillerson sent four cables to consular officers between Mar. 10 and 17 with preliminary instructions for stricter vetting of U.S. visa applicants. The cables emphasize that “all visa decisions are national security decisions” and that additional screening may “may cause interview appointment backlogs to rise.”
Visas Services at Embassy Closed Feb. 13 to 24
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing announces: Nonimmigrant visa services at the Embassy facility will be closed to the public from February 13 until February 24, 2017. Visa services will be available at the Ritan location during this period except February 17 when both facilities will be closed.
Be Prepared for Likely H-1B Visa Changes
This year’s H-1B season has many of us nervously watching President Trump’s moves. Just last week the President signed executive orders to build his promised wall at the border with Mexico and to find and deport unauthorized immigrants. A third executive order last Friday barring refugees and travelers from seven countries deemed predominantly Muslim has…
Legislation Introduced on H-1B Temporary Work Visas
President Trump made immigration central to his campaign, and has occasionally singled out the H-1B program for high-skilled workers. Now, legislation has been introduced in Congress to change the rules for H-1Bs.
Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) Enrollment Required for Chinese with 10-Year B1/B2 Visas
Chinese nationals holding 10-year B1/B2, B1, or B2 visitor visas are required to enroll online in the Electronic Visa Update System in order to enter the U.S. on or after Nov. 29, 2016.
Video: Tips for Your U.S. Visa Appointment
View on YouTube: https://youtu.be/T80jKsfxruY. This video is for you if you are a client of our law firm and the time for your visa appointment at a U.S. consular post is approaching. It’s an important moment for you. It’s also important to our law firm. This video provides tips to help you get ready. The…
Sample EVUS Enrollment
What data does the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) collect? Here’s a sample EVUS enrollment:
USCIS Filing Fees Increase
USCIS has issued a final rule increasing filing fees for most immigration applications and petitions. The new fees go into effect December 23, 2016. USCIS explains that fees are increasing “for the first time in six years, by a weighted average of 21 percent.”
Slides from EVUS Briefing by U.S. Embassy in Beijing (Oct. 21, 2016)
The U.S. Embassy provided a briefing to American Chamber of Commerce members on the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) platform on October 21. The presenter was Christine Parker, visiting from the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Washington to help with EVUS promotion.