Due to a variety of factors, including epidemiological, economic, and political considerations, many countries are dropping their COVID-19 pandemic-related travel restrictions. Some of the last remaining COVID-conservative countries are opening up, which is promising for the resumption of international travel and for allowing employers the flexibility to send their employees who may not be vaccinated […]
The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) allows Ukrainian nationals to apply for a Canadian visa without most of the usual requirements (free of charge, exempt from completing an immigration medical exam overseas, the option to apply for an open work permit, exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination requirements) excepting biometrics in certain cases and ArriveCAN. […]
In light of the current situation in Ukraine, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas announced a national interest exception (NIE) to permit the entry until March 1, 2022, of noncitizen nonimmigrants who (1) are traveling with a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident; (2) were physically present in Ukraine as of February 10, 2022; and (3) […]
The Department of State (DOS) announced on January 21, 2022, that due to “severely limited consular operations in Moscow,” DOS has designated multiple posts for processing certain nonimmigrant visa applications from persons resident in Russia. Russia-based student visa applicants (F and M categories), academic exchange J visitors (student, professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, and specialist […]
Due to the ongoing pandemic, including the rapid worldwide spread of the new “Omicron” variant of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19, along with risks from the continuing Delta variant, the situation for international travelers remains in a state of flux. Among the ongoing concerns are varying country and local conditions that affect consular posts’ ability […]
As a result of South Africa identifying a new variant of the COVID-19 virus, Omicron, the U.S. and numerous other countries have imposed new travel restrictions on certain countries in southern Africa effective Monday 12:01 a.m. EST, November 29, 2021. President Joe Biden indicated the restrictions were imposed “as a precautionary measure until we have […]
Travel bans are over, but vaccine requirements have replaced them. What do travelers need to know? For a complete picture of how the changes in travel restrictions relates to you, consider attending our free zoom webinar led by Managing Partner, Bernie Wolfsdorf, and Partner Avi Friedman on Nov. 18, 2021, at noon Pacific. All are welcome to join. In […]
As the holidays approach and travel increases, several countries are experiencing a surge in COVID-19 cases once again. Risk assessments and tricky entry and exit requirements vary from country to country. The situation is obviously more complex and inconvenient for unvaccinated travelers than for the vaccinated, but even the latter have risk-mitigation considerations and requirements […]
For a complete picture of how this change relates to you, consider attending our webinar led by Managing Partner, Bernie Wolfsdorf, and Partner Avi Friedman on Nov. 18, 2021, at noon Pacific. All are welcome to join. Register here. Effective November 8, 2021, a new Presidential Proclamation that governs the entry into the United States by air of “noncitizen nonimmigrants” […]
UPDATE: To further clarify the travel updates, WR Immigration is hosting a free webinar on this subject, led by Managing Partner, Bernie Wolfsdorf, and Partner Avi Friedman on Nov. 18, 2021, at noon pacific. All are welcome to join. Register here. The Biden administration will ease travel restrictions on all fully vaccinated international travelers at […]
Updated Oct. 15, 2021: The White House Assistant Press Secretary has tweeted that the date for this opening/easing of restrictions is set for November 8th, 2021. The Biden Administration has announced that it intends to relax Covid-19 travel restrictions on land-border crossings from Canada and Mexico beginning in November of this year. As a part […]
Slowly, U.S. embassies and consulates abroad are working toward resumption of routine visa services as local conditions surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic improve. With opportunities to secure visa appointments increasing, applicants should consider these tips when seeking visa appointments. The availability of consular services varies from post to post. While many consular posts are beginning to […]