COVID-19 Testing For Travelers from China to U.S. Due to the recent volume of COVID-19 cases in China, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) is requiring certain travelers to provide a negative COVID-19 test result or proof of recent recovery effective January 5, 2023 at 12:01 a.m. Eastern Time. Specifically, this policy applies […]
Author Archives: James Cypert
Visa Numbers Exhausted for EB-1, EB-2 & October 2022 Retrogression
Visa Numbers Exhausted for EB-1, EB-2 & October 2022 Retrogression As part of the ongoing lawsuit Pritish Madhavan v. Ur Jaddou, the government recently disclosed important information about employment-based green card visa numbers. The government revealed visa numbers for EB-1 and EB-2 have been completely used for this fiscal year ending September 30, 2022. It also […]
EAD & Advance Parole Card Changes
EAD & Advance Parole Card Changes USCIS recently indicated a significant change in policy regarding issuance of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) and Advance Parole for green card applicants. “Combination cards” have been issued for many years as part of the green card process and serve as proof of both employment and travel authorization during […]
U.S. Tightens COVID-19 Testing Restrictions
U.S. Tightens COVID-19 Testing Restrictions The Biden administration announced stricter COVID-19 testing requirements for international travelers to slow the spread of the Omicron variant. Effective Monday December 6, 2021, all travelers to the United States must provide a negative COVID-19 test result received within one day of departure to the U.S. or proof of recent […]
COVID-19 Update: New Travel Restrictions for South Africa and Seven Other African Countries
COVID-19 Update: New Travel Restrictions for South Africa and Seven Other African Countries Effective today, President Biden has imposed new travel restrictions on South Africa and seven other African countries due to the Omicron COVID-19 variant. These new travel restrictions mark a partial return to the geographic-based travel bans that the Biden administration previously moved […]
New U.S. COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Effective November 8, 2021
New U.S. COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Effective November 8, 2021 For several weeks, the Biden Administration has signaled it will replace the Trump-era geographic based travel restrictions with vaccination and testing requirements. On October 25, 2021, President Biden issued a new Presidential Proclamation formalizing these indications for air travelers. The Centers for Disease Control […]
Breaking: U.S. Adds India to COVID-19 Travel Ban
Breaking: U.S. Adds India to COVID-19 Travel Ban In breaking news, the White House stated that India will be added to the list of countries subject to the U.S. COVID-19 travel ban as of May 4, 2021. This announcement comes as India is experiencing a record surge in COVID-19 cases. While official details […]
Expiration of H/L/J Travel Ban & Continued Visa Obstacles
Expiration of H/L/J Travel Ban & Continued Visa Obstacles The Trump era “H/L/J” travel ban that was most recently extended through March 31, 2021 expired last night at midnight. This positive development means that there are no longer any nonimmigrant visa category-based U.S. travel bans in effect. Now, individuals seeking H-1B, L-1, and J-1 visas […]
Biden Administration Extends U.S. COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
Biden Administration Extends U.S. COVID-19 Travel Restrictions On January 25, 2021, President Biden issued an executive order effectively extending the country-specific COVID-19 travel restrictions that apply to the UK, Ireland, Schengen area, and Brazil. This new version of the COVID-19 travel ban also adds South Africa. These changes are effective January 26, 2021. The separate […]
New U.S. COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
New U.S. COVID-19 Travel Restrictions The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued an order requiring airline passengers intending to arrive in the United States, including U.S. citizens and LPRs, to provide documentation that they do not have COVID-19. This order will be effective beginning January 26, 2021. Specifically, the […]