Client Payment Portal

DV-2020 Winners Get Six-Month Reprieve

Feb 22, 2021 | Individual Services

A U.S. district judge extended DV-2020 immigrant visas for six months so they will not lapse while he renders a decision on plaintiffs’ challenge to Trump-era travel bans that are still in place.

“Even if the court were to declare the proclamations unlawful as plaintiffs request, a DV-2020 plaintiff who lacked a current, valid visa still could not enter the country. Accordingly, an order declaring the proclamations unlawful would provide no relief to a DV-2020 plaintiff without a current, valid visa,” the judge said in his opinion in Gomez v. Trump.

According to reports, shortly before the judge issued his order, the Department of State announced an exemption from the travel ban for diversity lottery green card winners whose visas will expire soon.

Source:

Related Posts:

5 Things to Know About the Proposed New EB-5 Filing Fee Increases

By Joey Barnett The White House received the final rule containing new USCIS fees on Monday, January 8, 2024, and the Final Fee Rule should be published within the next few weeks. USCIS has stated that a significant increase in immigration filing fees is necessary to costs and better manage its workload. Once published in the Federal Register the increase is likely to take effect 60 days later. Here are five things to know for EB-5 immigrant investors and Regional Centers: USCIS says current fees do not cover costs and they need an increase to avoid backlogs as 96% of its funding is from filing fees. 2. New I-526/I-526E Filing Fee May Be $11,160. The proposed increase for Form I-526 (direct) and Form I-526E (regional center) petitions is an increase of 204% from $3,675 to $11,160. Avoid wasting $7,485 by filing in the next month or two. 3. New I-829 Filing Fee May Be  $9,525.          The proposed increase for Form I-829 petitions in an increase of 154% from $3,750 to $9,525. Avoid wasting another $5,775 if you will be within the 90-day window to file your removal of conditions soon. 4. New I-956 Filing Fee May Be $47,695.        The increase […]

Read More

Obtaining a Visa from an Embassy or Consulate During COVID

Although COVID-related restrictions have begun to ease in parts of the U.S. and other parts of the world, countless foreign nationals are still running up against travel restrictions and U.S. consular shutdowns and delays that are frustrating travel plans and preventing many from entering the U.S. for work or to reunite with family. Many embassies and consulates remain closed for routine visa services, while others are operating only on a very limited basis. This has stranded many people outside the U.S. unable to obtain timely appointments to apply for visas. Others are stuck in the U.S. unable to travel abroad because they may not be able to obtain a visa in order to return. How to Schedule Visa Appointments The State Department maintains a website that lists visa appointment wait times, and individual embassy websites have updates and information regarding their current level of operations. However, the only way to determine with accuracy when an appointment is available at an embassy or consulate is to pay the required visa fee and schedule an appointment on the embassy’s appointment website. Foreign nationals who are unable to schedule visa appointments in their home country or the country where they are currently present […]

Read More