Immigration News and Policy Updates

A new travel restriction bars most foreign nationals from entry into the U.S. if they have been physically present in South Africa or seven other southern African countries in the past 14 days.

USCIS has announced a third random selection for H-1B cap registrations. The filing period for petitions will start on November 22, 2021 and end on February 23, 2022.

The State Department has released the December 2021 Visa Bulletin, which will use the Dates for Filing Chart for employment-based categories.

Following a recent settlement, USCIS will expand eligibility for employment authorization for L-2 spouses and certain H-4 spouses.

Information in this FAQ is intended to supplement information detailed in Envoy Global’s blog article on the official Nov. 8 U.S. travel announcement.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has updated policy guidance on the use of electronic signatures and transmission for Form I-20.

The U.S. government has released official guidance for travelers to safely resume global travel during the COVID-19 pandemic that is primarily focused on vaccination.

The U.S. Department of State has provided updates on delays related to passport services.

The State Department has released the November 2021 Visa Bulletin, which will use the Dates for Filing Chart.

(USCIS) announced that it has received enough H-2B petitions for temporary nonagricultural workers to meet the congressionally mandated cap for the first half of FY 2022

The State Department has announced that registration has opened for the 2023 Diversity Visa lottery.

The State Department must continue processing visas for eligible travelers while COVID-related travel bans are in effect

A stopgap measure or FY2022 spending legislation must pass by Oct. 1, 2021 to avoid the government shutdown.

Due to COVID-19, the U.S. government will extend existing U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada land border closures through Oct. 21, 2021.

The Biden administration will announce that fully vaccinated visa holders may enter the U.S. starting in November regardless of origin.

On Sept. 15, 2021, a federal judge set aside a regulation that was scheduled to replace the current H-1B wage-based selection process.

The State Department has expanded an existing policy to waive in-person interviews for visa applicants due to COVID-19. The policy now extends to F, M and academic J applicants.

The State Department has released the October 2021 Visa Bulletin, which will use the Dates for Filing Chart.

USCIS has provided updates for visitors to its field offices due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.