On Thursday, March 19, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and all Consulates in Japan will suspend routine nonimmigrant visa appointments and will stop accepting appointments for routine notarial services. This action does not apply to diplomatic/official visa applications or to immigrant visa applications. All services to U.S. citizens will continue, except for new requests for …
Read More»Entry is suspended, per Presidential Proclamation, of non-LPR foreign nationals who were present in the People’s Republic of China, not including the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the 26 countries that comprise the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, excluding overseas territories outside of Europe of Great Britain …
Read More»Online registration period for the DV-2021 Program begins on Wednesday, October 2, 2019 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concludes on Tuesday November 5, 2019 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-4). Individuals who submit more than one entry during the registration period will be disqualified. For detailed instructions for DV-2021, …
Read More»Beginning July 1, 2019, USCIS will no longer accept Form I-407, Record of Abandonment of Lawful Permanent Resident Status, at international field offices by mail or in person. Individuals who wish to voluntarily record abandonment of their lawful permanent resident status (LPR) must submit Form I-407 via mail to: USCIS Eastern Forms Center Attn: I-407 …
Read More»Washington – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized changes to fees charged by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to international students, exchange visitors and SEVP-certified schools. The new fees will take effect June 24, 2019. Fee increases include: The I-901 SEVIS Fee for F and M international students will increase from …
Read More»Effective immediately, the requirements for renewing a visa by mail have changed. Only applicants who are renewing one of the following visas AND meet each of the requirements will be eligible to renew a visa by mail. Visa Type RequirementsTemporary Visitor for Business & Pleasure (B1/B2)Your previous visa was issued for a period of 10 years.Crewmember …
Read More»December 14, 2018 – Visa Waiver Program users encouraged to apply early – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), consistent with existing requirements, reminds international travelers using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for travel to the United States to apply as soon as possible but not less than 72 hours before their international …
Read More»Online registration period for the DV-2020 Program begins on Wednesday, October 3, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concludes on Tuesday November 6, 2018 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-4). Individuals who submit more than one entry during the registration period will be disqualified. For detailed instructions for DV-2020, …
Read More»Effective September 21, 2018, the U.S. Embassy and consulates in Japan will only answer status inquiries concerning pending Non-Immigrant and Immigrant visa applications if: You have attended an interview, AND 10 business days have passed since the interview day, or You applied for a visa by mail, AND 10 business days have passed since the …
Read More»Starting on May 16, 2018, we will only accept the 03/06/18 edition of the I-864 affidavit of support. New forms are now available on the USCIS website.
Read More»All travelers who are traveling to the United States without a visa for temporary business or pleasure under 90 days are required to apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). This video explains how to access the official ESTA website and how to tell the official ESTA website from unofficial websites. For …
Read More»The revised online registration period for the DV-2019 Program begins on Wednesday, October 18, 2017 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and concludes on Wednesday, November 22, 2017 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-4). All entries made prior to 12:00 noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4) Wednesday, October 18, 2017, will …
Read More»Online registration for the 2019 Diversity Visa Program will begin on Tuesday, October 3, 2017 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), and conclude on Tuesday, November 7, 2017 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-4). For details, please see instructions here.
Read More»The Embassy hosted a Student Visa Day on June 28 for some 50 Japanese students eager to study abroad in the United States. After their visa interviews, the students took a trivia quiz about American university life. Minister-Counselor for Public Affairs Margot Carrington spoke to the group and emphasized the value of studying abroad. Several …
Read More»Effective February 27, 2017, USCIS released a new version of Form I-130 “Petition for Alien Relative” and Form I-130A “Supplemental Information for Spouse Beneficiary.” The new forms are now available on the USCIS website. Starting April 28, 2017, only the new forms (February 27, 2017 edition) will be accepted. Until then, petitioners may use …
Read More»The Executive Order barring issuance of visas and travel for nationals of Syria, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen has been suspended. Accordingly, U.S. embassies and consulates will resume scheduling visa appointments for these nationals. The Department of State had also provisionally revoked all valid visas of nationals of these seven countries. That provisional revocation …
Read More»WASHINGTON – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a final rule adjusting the fees required for most immigration applications and petitions. The new fees will be effective December 23, 2016.
Read More»The EVUS website is now open to the public for enrollment. As of November 29, all Chinese citizens carrying maximum validity (10-year) B1/B2, B1, and B2 visas in passports issued by the People’s Republic of China must have a valid EVUS enrollment in in order to travel to the United States. At this time, U.S. …
Read More»Effective October 1st, 2016, USCIS began using Form I-131A, Application for Travel Document. In addition to the new form, a fee of $360.00 is also required. The new form allows lawful permanent residents (LPRs) apply for a travel document (boarding foil)
Read More»September 30, 2016 WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced all People’s Republic of China passport holders carrying a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 (visitor) visa will be required to have a valid Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) enrollment when traveling to the United States beginning on November 29, 2016. EVUS is the online system …
Read More»September 27, 2016 For applications filed on or after November 1, 2016, eyeglasses must not be worn in photos provided for visa applications, except in rare circumstances when eyeglasses cannot be removed for medical reasons; e.g., the applicant has recently had ocular surgery and the eyeglasses are necessary to protect the applicant’s eyes. A medical …
Read More»September 23, 2016 Online registration for the DV-2018 Program will begin on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT), and conclude on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 12:00 noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST). For details, please see the Diversity Visa Program Instructions webpage.
Read More»September 8, 2016 Additional entrants have been added to “selected” status on the Entrant Status Check (ESC) website https://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ . Please use your unique confirmation number to verify your status. Successful entrants are encouraged to complete the online DS-260 application immediately, so that an interview appointment at the appropriate U.S. Embassy or Consulate can be scheduled. …
Read More»August 3, 2016 Form I-129S, Nonimmigrant Petition Based on Blanket L Petition, has been revised. The new form was released on 06/02/16. The date is specified on the bottom left of the form. Starting August 29, 2016, we will only accept the new 06/02/16 form when applying for a blanket L visa. Until then, you …
Read More»March 28, 2016 As of April 1, 2016, all travelers who are able to travel to the United States via the Visa Waiver Program must have a valid electronic passport. This rule applies even to those who possess a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). The U.S. Embassy strongly recommends that all travelers check …
Read More»March 15, 2016 Beginning in November 2016, all travelers holding People’s Republic of China passports with 10-year U.S. B1/B2, B1, or B2 visas must enroll in the Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS) program. For more information on this program, please visit www.cbp.gov/EVUS 自2016年11月起,所有持中华人民共和国护照并同时持有十年有效期B1/B2、B1或B2美国签证的旅行者须进入签证更新电子系统EVUS网站进行信息登记. 欲知更多此项目的相关信息, 请访问 www.cbp.gov/EVUS
Read More»February 18, 2016 WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced that it is continuing its implementation of the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 with the addition of Libya, Somalia, and Yemen as three countries of concern, limiting Visa Waiver Program travel for certain individuals who have traveled …
Read More»February 25, 2016 An updated ESTA application form is now available online. Additional questions regarding travel history have been added to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) applications that address the travel eligibility requirements under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015. For detailed information, please see CBP’s website .
Read More»January 21, 2016 WASHINGTON — On January 21, 2016, the United States began implementing changes under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015 (the Act). U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) welcomes more than a million passengers arriving to the United States every day and is committed to facilitating legitimate …
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