Posts Categorized: Admission

27
August 2016

How to Submit I-94 Correction Requests by Email

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Deferred Inspection sites will correct errors recorded by CBP officers on arrival documents issued at the time of entry to the U.S., such as an improper nonimmigrant classification, inaccurate biographical information, or an incorrect period of admission. See https://www.cbp.gov/document/guidance/deferred-inspection-sites#)

Generally, corrections must be requested by the individual appearing in-person at a local Deferred Inspection office. However, if you entered the U.S. through certain designated ports of entry/Deferred Inspection sites, or are currently located within the area served by a designated site, it may be possible to bypass the in-person appearance and obtain corrected documents via email.

The following is a sample list of documents and information that may be requested:

 Details regarding your most recent entry: date of admission, class of admission, and port of entry;

 I-94 record showing most recent admission;

 Copy of the applicant’s passport biographical page;

 Copy of the applicant’s visa stamp AND admission/entry stamp for last admission into the U.S.;

 Form I-797 / Notice of Approval or Receipt from USCIS; and/or

 Form G-28 signed by the applicant/beneficiary.

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17
August 2016

Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) Update

This is an important update regarding the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) program:

Invitations to participate in the CFRP Program will resume in August 2016.

Within the next few weeks, USCIS, with the help of the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center, will resume issuing invitations to eligible petitioners to apply for the Cuban Family Reunification Parole (CFRP) Program.

Petitioners who are invited to apply for the program and who choose to apply must now file Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, with USCIS and pay the filing fee or request a fee waiver for each family member in Cuba they wish to have considered for parole under this program. Only petitioners who receive invitations are eligible to apply for the program.

USCIS announced new CFRP Program filing requirements in December 2014. For additional information, please see uscis.gov/cfrp.

CFRP Program

Established in 2007, the CFRP Program allows certain eligible Cuban beneficiaries of family-based immigrant visa petitions to be paroled into the United States before their immigrant visa priority dates become current. Once paroled into the United States, these beneficiaries will be able to apply for work permits and will be eligible to apply for lawful permanent resident (LPR) status when they have been present in the United States for at least one year, or when their immigrant visas are available.

Contáctanos

If you believe that you are eligible for this program, please ensure that the Department of State‘s National Visa Center has your current mailing and email address. You may update your mailing address using the Public Inquiry Form on the NVC’s website.

15
July 2016

What is Port Parole?

Port Parole is a unique authority reserved to U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the port of entry. This authority is given to CBP by INA §212(d)(5), which allows CBP to “parole [individuals] into the United States temporarily and under such conditions as [DHS] may prescribe only on a case-by-case basis for urgent humanitarian reasons or a significant public benefit…” This authority is used very sparingly where the applicant for admission is otherwise inadmissible to the United States but presents a compelling emergent reason for needing to come to the United States.

Port Paroles are not approved in advance of the person’s entry to the U.S. but a decision is made at the time of the applicant’s request for admission. However, applicants or their attorneys may call the port of entry in advance of making the formal request for a Port Parole to outline the basis for the parole request in writing, with any relevant supporting documents. The ports often appreciate this advance notice because it allows time for deliberation while the person is not waiting in the CBP office, and also permits the port to run the request up the chain of command to the relevant CBP Field Office for higher authorization, if needed.

Port parole is wholly discretionary; if it is denied, there is no formal appeals process.

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The only form used to document approval of the Port Parole is the I-94 Form issued to the applicant at the time of entry. The fee for the request is $65, but may be waived.

In short, Port Parole is a discretionary authority reserved for CBP with no appeals process; determinations are made on a case by case basis; and this remedy should be used only as a last resort when all other options have been exhausted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

07
June 2016

U.S. Consulate Colombia and Visa Preparation for Colombia versus Paraguay

Colombia team Coach Jose Pekerman is being more cautious, making it unlikely Rodriguez will play in Tuesday’s game with Paraguay at the Rose Bowl (7:30 p.m. PDT, FS1, UniMas, UDN). Organizers expect a crowd of more than 40,000.

“I want to be optimistic. James is very important for Colombia,” Pekerman said after Friday’s game. “We also know he has a lot of desire to play. But I think the medical professionals know to what extent he’ll be running a risk.”

The U.S. Consulate in Bogota, Colombia is available to process non-immigrant visas including visas for artists, athletes, coaches, soccer players, trainers, nurses, physical therapists, tourists, visitors, business visitors, entrepreneurs and many others.

Check out the full schedule here.

U.S. Consulate Colombia, the Visa Section!

The Visa Section of the United States Embassy in Bogota processes applications for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas to the U.S. Click on the links below or on the left side of the page to learn more about the Visa Section.

Public Service Statement

The Department of State manages the visa process strictly but fairly in order to best protect the United States and they are committed to the essential openness for which the United States has always been known. Travel to the United States is welcomed and encouraged.

Nonimmigrant visas

Nonimmigrant visas are for people visiting the U.S. temporarily for tourism, business, education, medical treatment, or petition-based employment. The type of visa required depends on your purpose of travel.

Immigrant visas

Immigrant visas are for applicants planning to permanently relocate to the United States for either family or employment reasons.

Fraud Prevention Unit

The Fraud Prevention Unit investigates any incidents of fraud in visa applications and provides information to visa applicants about possible fraudulent scams.

News and Announcements

Recent announcements regarding the visa application process.

Contact Information

How to contact the visa section regarding your visa applications.

Consular Calendar

View holiday and administrative closures.

Temporary visitors to the United States must apply for and obtain a nonimmigrant visa before beginning their journey. Our operation is one of the largest in the world - this past fiscal year we adjudicated more than a half million applications!

Many people apply for tourist visas (or B1/B2 visas), but we also adjudicate more than 20 other types of nonimmigrant visas, including student visas, work visas, exchange visas, and investor visas. We encourage applicants to use this website to learn as much as they can about the laws, regulations and policies involved in processing a nonimmigrant visa application.

We recommend that you do not purchase your airline ticket or incur non-reimbursable expenses until you have received your visa.

The information in this website is designed to help you to understand the process and, if a visa interview is required, to come to the interview prepared.

The following documents are required for all categories of nonimmigrant visas:

The following documents are highly recommended to ensure speedy processing on the day of your interview:

  • A Colombian national identity card.
  • For an applicant under the age of 14, a copy of his or her birth certificate (folio del Registro Civil de Nacimiento).

Certain categories of visas, such as work and student visas, require additional documentation. Please visit the Visa Categories page for more information on these required documents. The CSC Visa Information Servicealso has additional instructions.

You may choose to bring additional documentation to your interview in order to support your situation here in Colombia and your motive for travel. This additional documentation is not required by the consular officer nor the U.S. Embassy.

The consular officer often determines an applicant’s visa eligibility based on information provided orally during the interview and on the DS-160 application forms, without referring to the supporting documents you bring.

Important Note: Please do not make travel plans or purchase nonrefundable airplane tickets until your visa is approved. Please see the information regarding visa refusals and administrative processing. If your application must undergo administrative processing, it will take significantly longer for you to receive your visa.

We serve the following localities: San Diego County including San Diego, Carlsbad, and Escondido; Los Angeles County including Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Van Nuys, Whittier, Woodland Hills, and Long Beach; Santa Clara County including San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale; Alameda County including Oakland, San Leandro, and Berkeley; Sacramento County including Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Folsom; and Orange County including Santa Ana and Anaheim.

07
June 2016

Update on Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) Program

We are pleased to share with you an important update regarding the Haitian Family Reunification Parole (HFRP) Program.

On Friday June 3, with the help of the U.S. Department of State’s National Visa Center (NVC), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued the third round of invitations to apply for the HFRP Program.

The HFRP Program allows certain eligible Haitian beneficiaries of family-based immigrant visa petitions approved on or before Dec. 18, 2014, to be paroled into the United States up to approximately two years before their immigrant visa priority dates become current. Once paroled into the United States, these beneficiaries will be able to apply for work permits while waiting for their immigrant visas to become available. Once their visa is available, they can apply for lawful permanent resident status.

The invitations that were sent to eligible petitioners provide instructions on how to apply to the program and also include important information petitioners should consider as they determine if the program is right for them and their eligible family members. Only individuals who receive an invitation will be eligible to apply for the HFRP Program on behalf of their family members. For additional information on the invitation process, please see uscis.gov/HFRP.

If you believe that you may be eligible for this program, please ensure that the NVC has your most current mailing and email address. You may update your mailing address by emailing the NVC at asknvc@state.gov or by completing the Public Inquiry Form on the NVC’s website at travel.state.gov.

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We serve the following localities: San Diego County including San Diego, Carlsbad, and Escondido; Los Angeles County including Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Van Nuys, Whittier, Woodland Hills, and Long Beach; Santa Clara County including San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale; Alameda County including Oakland, San Leandro, and Berkeley; Sacramento County including Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Folsom; and Orange County including Santa Ana and Anaheim.

06
June 2016

USCIS Invitation: Teleconference about Temporary Protected Status Designated: Nicaragua and Honduras Enlace, 06/09/2016

Dear Stakeholder:

 

USCIS invites you to participate in a teleconference on Thursday, June 9, from 3-4 p.m. Eastern about the extensions of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designations for Honduras and Nicaragua. We will provide information about the extensions of the TPS designations and then answer non-case specific questions.

To participate:

Once we receive your registration, we will send you a confirmation email with additional details. We recommend calling in 10-15 minutes early.

If you have questions about the registration process, or if you have not received a confirmation email within two business days, please email us at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov.

Note to media: This session is not for media purposes. Please direct all inquiries to the USCIS Press Office at (202) 272-1200.

We look forward to engaging with you!

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Estimado Cliente:

 

El 9 de junio de 2016, de 3:00 p.m. a 4:00 p.m. (hora del este), el Servicio de Ciudadanía e Inmigración de Estados Unidos (USCIS por sus siglas en inglés) le invita a participar en nuestro próximo Enlace nacional en español sobre la extensión de las designaciones del Estado de Protección Temporal (TPS por sus siglas en inglés) para nacionales de Honduras y Nicaragua.

 

Durante la sesión, proveeremos información y contestaremos sus preguntas. No se ofrecerá accesoría legal ni conversaremos sobre casos específicos.

 

Para participar:

Le recomendamos que el día del evento llame de 10 a 15 minutos antes del comienzo de la sesión de Enlace.

 

Para más información sobre la teleconferencia por favor comuníquese con nosotros por medio de correo electrónico a public.engagement@uscis.dhs.gov.

 

Aviso: Esta teleconferencia no está dirigida a los medios de comunicación. Para cualquier pregunta de prensa, por favor comuníquese con la Oficina de Prensa de USCIS al 202-272-1200.

 

¡Esperamos poder dialogar con usted!

 

 

 

 

 

Please do not reply to this message. Contact us at Public.Engagement@uscis.dhs.gov or USCIS-IGAOutreach@uscis.dhs.gov with any questions.

 

To learn more about the Public Engagement Division, visit us online at uscis.gov/outreach.

 

To update your RSVP, modify your password or email address, or to unsubscribe at any time, visit your Subscriber Preferences Page.

 

   
06
June 2016

Bolivia versus Panama and Information about Getting a Visa at the U.S. Consulate in La Paz, Bolivia

Panama, ranked 56th in the world, and No. 82 Bolivia play their first Copa match at 7 p.m. Monday at Camping World Stadium. It will be the first time in history that Panama will compete in the tournament. “We’ll leave everything on the playing field,” Bolivia coach Julio César Baldivieso said through a translator. “The Bolivians are something special, they have something inside and when they know how to use it, they can be very successful.”

 

Bolivia, also known as La Verde, has faced many hurdles leading up to the tournament, including the departure of last year’s leading scorer in the Copa, Marcelo Martins, and former captain Ronald Raldes.

Visa Unit | La Paz, Bolivia - Embassy of the United States

The Consular Section in Bolivia priorities are to provide immigrant and non-immigrant visa services, including boarding foils, returning residents, and visa renewals. For detailed information. Please refer to the following website:

https://bolivia.usvisa-info.com

The Non-Immigrant Visa Unit is committed to providing a courteous and professional service to all applicants. For detailed information, please use the links on the left margin of this page to select the appropriate visa classification and to schedule an interview.

Location, open hours, and contact information

  • The Consular Section of the Embassy is located at 2780 de la Avenida Arce in La Paz, Bolivia.

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U.S. Visas for Same-Sex Spouses

  • U.S. embassies and consulates now adjudicate visa applications that are based on a same-sex marriage in the same way that we adjudicate applications for opposite gender spouses.

Fraud Prevention Unit | La Paz, Bolivia - Embassy of the United States

 

 

The Fraud Prevention Unit of the U.S. Embassy in La Paz principal mission is to safeguard U.S. borders by detecting and stopping fraud in applications for U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad, Immigrant visas and Nonimmigrant visas.
The consequences of fraud are extremely serious. If you commit fraud, not only will you lose the benefit that you are seeking, but you may also have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines and you may even go to jail. The Fraud Prevention Unit aggressively pursues fraud cases, referring individuals as appropriate for prosecution under U.S. and/or Bolivian law.

The Fraud Prevention Unit, because of the nature of anti-fraud work, is not open to the public. If you have a tip concerning fraud that you wish to share with us, you may contact the Fraud Prevention Unit by e-mailing us at lapazfpm@state.gov

 

 

 

 

We serve the following localities: San Diego County including San Diego, Carlsbad, and Escondido; Los Angeles County including Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Van Nuys, Whittier, Woodland Hills, and Long Beach; Santa Clara County including San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale; Alameda County including Oakland, San Leandro, and Berkeley; Sacramento County including Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Folsom; and Orange County including Santa Ana and Anaheim.

05
June 2016

How to watch Mexico vs. Uruguay: Copa America time, live stream, TV

Mexico and Uruguay are set to face off in a Group C match at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz. on Sunday night.

Both sides come in with high aspirations for the tournament, Mexico led by Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez up front, and Uruguay hoping to get by without star forward Luis Suarez, who has a hamstring injury but is not ready to return.

How to watch (the easy part)

Match time: 8 p.m. ET

TV channel: DirecTV and Dish Network on Fox Sports 1, and KBNT Univision Channel 17 in San Diego

Live stream: You can see Mexico-Uruguay and every match of the Copa America Centenario live in Spanish on Fubo TV. Sign up now for a 24–hour free trial. The match can be live streamed here in English.

Find the full schedule for the tournament here.

How to get a visa in Mexico to come to the U.S. (the hard part)

 

Regardless of visa class, according to U.S. immigration law, all applicants must qualify as an individual and overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. (H-1B and L visa applicants are exempt from overcoming the presumption of immigrant intent.) In addition, other specialty visa classes exist for agricultural workers, nurses, athletes, entertainers, major investors, and artists.

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05
June 2016

Mexico versus Uruguay, Getting to the U.S. from Mexico, Legally!

Mexico take on Uruguay at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (FS1, 8 p.m. ET). After a long wait, Mexico’s Copa America quest begins in earnest Sunday with a tough game against Uruguay. Sunday’s clash between Mexico and Uruguay will very much decide Group C. Keep your eyes on Javier “Chicharito” Hernandez, this summer is his time to shine and El Tri are a different team with him on the pitch. Need further proof? Look at their 1-0 warm-up win vs. Chile last week. He came on as a 78th minute substitute, the score tied at 0-0, and promptly scored the winning goal with four minutes remaining. Chicharito (43 international goals) is just three shy of tying Jared Borgetti as Mexico’s all-time leading scorer.Juan Carlos Osorio, meanwhile, has set his team’s sights on nothing less than a trip to the final.

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Getting to the U.S. from Mexico, Legally!

If you are traveling to the U.S. from Mexico, here is some information about border wait times.

If you are seeking a visa to the U.S. from Mexico, here is some information about available visas.

Nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) are intended for those who plan to visit the U.S. for business or pleasure; students or exchange visitors embarking on study or cultural work programs in the U.S.; people who are transiting through the U.S. to other onward destinations; seasonal temporary workers or workers who have been hired by U.S. companies for longer periods of time; visitors on diplomatic, official or U.N. business; journalists who are providing media coverage of time-specific events; and others who are traveling to the U.S. for limited time periods.

 

To better understand the different visa classes for business travelers, please find below a brief description of the most frequently used visas for business work and training travel.

B1/B2 Business and Pleasure Visa:

  • Permits the traveler to consult with a business associate or negotiate a contract.
  • May buy goods or materials, or repair equipment.
  • Allows participation in conventions, conferences, or seminars.
  • May seek investment opportunities.
  • Short-term job training that takes place in a classroom or lecture hall setting, but not on-the-job training.
  • Travelers cannot be compensated from a U.S. source.

 

 

 

H-3 Trainee Visa:

  • A petition-based visa that allows the traveler to participate in on-the-job training.
  • The traveler’s pay can be based in U.S.
  • The traveler may not train in a position that would replace normal operations or take the job of a U.S. worker.

H-1B Work Visa:

  • A petition-based visa that allows work for a period of up to six years in a specialty occupation.
  • Specialty occupations are professions that require a college degree or equivalent to enter.

L Work Visa:

  • Intra-company transfers.
  • L visa classification designed for multinational businesses with offices in many countries and a corps of specialized employees.
  • A petition-based visa. The applicant must have been employed overseas by the transferring organization for at least one year within the past three years and will be performing duties in the United States for the same employer or a subsidiary or affiliate.
  • Their intended position in the U.S. is managerial, executive, or involves specialized knowledge

Regardless of visa class, according to U.S. immigration law, all applicants must qualify as an individual and overcome the presumption of immigrant intent. (H-1B and L visa applicants are exempt from overcoming the presumption of immigrant intent.) In addition, other specialty visa classes exist for agricultural workers, nurses, athletes, entertainers, major investors, and artists.

 

 

05
June 2016

How to watch Panama versus Bolivia on TV and Visa Information from the U.S. Consulate in Panama

Panama plays its first-ever Copa America match, while Bolivia looks to replicate their Quarterfinal form in 2015. Bolivia coach Julio Cesar Baldivieso has bemoaned the lack of preparation time with his players going into the tournament.

“We are virtually untrained,” he told www.critica.com: “I’m no magician, I am a technician. Chile, Argentina and Panama (in Group D) are better, and the task will be difficult.”

How to watch (the easy part)

Match time: 7 p.m. ET

TV channel: DirecTV and Dish Network on Fox Sports 1, and KBNT Univision Channel 17 in San Diego

Find the full schedule for the tournament here.

How to get a visa in Panama to come to the U.S. (the hard part)

The U.S. Embassy in Panama City is located at the following address:

U.S. Embassy, Panama City
Avenida Demetrio Basilio Lakas
Building No. 783 in Clayton, Panama City (see map below)
Telephone: 011-507-317-5000
Fax: 011-507-317-5278
Email: Panama-Visas@state.gov
Website: https://panama.usembassy.gov

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To learn more about the types of visas and the process to apply for a visa and schedule an appointment in Panama, please click here.

Third-Country Nationals

Although U.S. Embassy Panama accepts visa applications from anyone who is physically present in Panama, we strongly advise you to consider carefully the following:

Applicants for most types of nonimmigrant visas (NIVs) must overcome the presumption they intend to immigrate by demonstrating strong economic, cultural, and social/familial ties to a country outside the U.S. It is often difficult for consular personnel in Panama to evaluate applicants’ ties to a different country.

Applicants for visa categories that do not require the applicant to overcome the presumption they intend to immigrate generally rely on professional or educational experience or commercial ties. It is quite often difficult for personnel in Panama to assess experience and/or business activities in a different country.

If you decide to apply in Panama despite the above, your application may take significantly longer to process than it would in your country of usual residence.

It is strongly recommended that you bring documents that show your ties to Panama:

  • All employed persons: a recent job letter addressed to the Consular Section which states: length of time in job, position (permanent or temporary), salary, and available vacation time.
  • Salaried employees: your last social security receipt (ficha), or, for an employee of the Government of Panama, your last pay stub.
  • Self-employed persons: your income tax declarations and receipts from the last three years.
  • Retirees: your last pension check stub, or for retirees of the U.S. government, any document showing your yearly income or annuity.
  • Dependents or minor children: the documents of your parents.
  • Spouse who is not employed: the documents of your working spouse.
  • Students: your last registration receipt from school or university and employment documents of your parents or whoever is paying for your education.
  • Other documents that may support your application: letters from banks where you have a checking or savings account, vehicle titles, title to property, etc.
  • Expired passports containing previously issued U.S. visas.

If you are traveling to the U.S. for medical treatment, please ensure that you bring the documents requested here.

 

We serve the following localities: San Diego County including San Diego, Carlsbad, and Escondido; Los Angeles County including Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Los Angeles, Burbank, Hollywood, Van Nuys, Whittier, Woodland Hills, and Long Beach; Santa Clara County including San Jose, Milpitas, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale; Alameda County including Oakland, San Leandro, and Berkeley; Sacramento County including Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Folsom; and Orange County including Santa Ana and Anaheim.