Covid Policy of Accepting Copies of Signed Forms Will Become Permanent

As part of its efforts to provide flexibility and accommodations during the Covid pandemic, USCIS has been accepting all benefit forms and documents with reproduced original signatures since 03/20/2020. A document may be scanned, faxed, photocopied, or similarly reproduced provided that the copy must be of an original document containing an original handwritten signature, unless otherwise...

Suspension of Visitors From South Africa And Surrounding Countries Due To Risk of Transmitting Omicron Variant

Due to the emergence of the Omicron variant of Covid-19, the white house has issued a proclamation barring the entry of nonimmigrant/immigrant visitors who were physically present in the following countries: Republic of BotswanaKingdom of EswatiniKingdom of LesothoRepublic of MalawiRepublic of MozambiqueRepublic of NamibiaRepublic of South AfricaRepublic of Zimbabwe This proclamation is...

Biden Administration Will Rescind Travel Bans and Instead Require Proof of Vaccination

Update 11/08/2021 Flyer about the New Covid-19 Travel Requirements: Update 11/05/2021 On 11/08/2021, the previous COVID-19 travel bans will be replaced with a COVID-19 vaccination requirement for all international air travelers to the United States. Passengers must provide proof of vaccination to airlines who will: Match the name and date of birth to the information on the vaccination...

COVID Vaccination is Now Required for USCIS Medical Exams

Update Post 09/16/2021 USCIS releases policy guidance highlighting the following: "..beginning October 1, 2021, applicants who are required to undergo the immigration medical examination must complete the COVID-19 vaccine series before the civil surgeon can complete the immigration medical examination and sign Form I-693." Original Post 08/31/2021 On August 25, 2021, the CDC announced that...

Facial Masks no longer required at USCIS field offices

Updated Post May 27, 2021 USCIS issued a news release officially stating that "fully vaccinated individuals no longer have to wear a face covering. Individuals two years old and older who are not fully vaccinated must still wear a face covering." Original post May 20, 2021 On May 20, 2021, USCIS updated its webpage to reflect the new policy that face masks are no longer required for visitors who...

ICE Will Continue to Allow Distance Learning in Excess of Regulatory Limits

F-1 students can breathe a sigh of relief. ICE will continue to allow students to engage in distance learning in excess of regulatory limits due to the ongoing covid pandemic. Please note that the guidance only applies to students who were actively enrolled at U.S. school on March 9, 2020, and are otherwise complying with the terms of their nonimmigrant status, whether from inside the U.S. or...

Additional Time Added for Responding to USCIS notices

Update 1/24/2023 A new round of extension. The cutoff date is now March 23, 2023. Just like the last announcement, USCIS anticipates that this will be the final extension of these accommodations. The following requests/notices received between March 1, 2020 and March 23, 2023, will get additional 60 days to respond. Requests for Evidence; Continuations to Request Evidence (N-14); Notices of...