House Continuing Resolution Omits EB-5 Renewal
Washington, D.C., September 24, 2021: On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, the U.S. House of Representatives (lower chamber of the U.S. Congress) passed a temporary spending bill to maintain U.S. federal government operations at present funding levels. The Continuing Resolution did not, however, include a renewal of the EB-5 regional center program. What is a Continuing […]
US To Lift Covid Travel Ban for Fully Vaccinated Passengers from November
Washington, DC, September 21, 2021: The office of the U.S. President announced yesterday that the U.S. will allow fully vaccinated travelers from around the world to enter the U.S. beginning in November, if they undergo testing and contact tracing. The U.S. will reopen in November to air travelers from 33 countries including China, India, Brazil […]
Senate Parliamentarian Rejects Including of Immigration Provisions in Budget Reconciliation Bill
Washington, DC, September 20, 2021: Senate parliamentarian Elizabeth Mac Donough, has ruled against Democrat’s efforts to include a massive immigration reform effort in their US$ 3.5 trillion proposed spending bill, causing the party a setback that very likely closes the door on efforts to include a pathway to citizenship in the partisan legislation. Democrats were […]
Donoso & Partners Submits Questions to USCIS EB-5 Stakeholders
The following questions were submitted by Donoso & Partners to USCIS as part of the recent USCIS call for Stakeholder questions: USCIS announced in April 2020 the adoption of a “visa availability” approach to processing I-526 visa petition. How many I-526 petitions have been approved based on “visa availability”? How many I-526 petitions that are […]
National Visa Center Delays Processing of EB-5 Petitions
We had earlier informed you that The National Visa Center (NVC) of the US Department of State is starting to send emails to pending EB-5 immigrant investors that it will not take processing action regarding EB-5 regional center cases during the lapse of the program. We have observed that from September 8th, 2021, onwards the […]
Democrats Begin Push for Immigration Reform through Budget Reconciliation
Washington, D.C., September 9, 2021: Reports indicate that Congressional leadership (Majority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York; Speaker Nancy Pelosi in the House) are planning on attaching immigration reform legislation to the must-pass spending bills that will be adopted in October 2021 to keep funding U.S. government operations. The first step in that process is […]
NVC Sends Emails to Pending EB-5 Investors
Washington, D.C., September 7, 2021: The National Visa Center (NVC) of the US Department of State is starting to send emails to pending EB-5 immigrant investors that it will not take processing action regarding EB-5 regional center cases during the lapse of the program. Sample text of these emails is set out below: “The EB-5 […]
USCIS Extends Evidence of Status for Conditional Permanent Residents to 24 Months
Washington DC, September 7, 2021: USCIS Extends Evidence of Status for Conditional Permanent Residents to 24 Months with Pending Form I-751 or Form I-829 09/03/2021. Starting Sept. 4, 2021, USCIS is extending the time that receipt notices can be used to show evidence of status from 18 months to 24 months for petitioners who properly […]
Canada Prepares to Open to Fully Vaccinated Tourists
On September 7, 2021, Canada is set to open its borders to fully vaccinated, non-essential travelers from all countries. There will still be special requirements in place for these travelers, including mandatory COVID-19 testing. The COVID-19 test must have been taken at least 72 hours before departure of the last direct flight to Canada. Passengers […]
Starting October 1, COVID-19 Vaccinations Required for Applicants Applying for LPR or Refugee Status
Washington, DC, August 25, 2021: Starting October 1, 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) and the U.S. Department of State will require COVID-19 vaccinations for all applicants applying for refugee or lawful permanent residence, with some exceptions. Specifically, all applicants who receive their medical examination from a Civil Surgeon or Panel Physician on or […]