Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there
are a variety of closures and suspensions of immigration services. Below is a summary of all closures and
suspensions at this time. This list is
subject to change as new updates become available.
US
Citizenship and Immigration Service:
Immigration Filings: USCIS will continue to perform duties
that do not involve contact with the public.
Petitions will continue to be accepted for filing and adjudicated by the
USCIS. Effective March 20, 2020 the
USCIS has announced the immediate
and temporary suspension of premium processing on all I-129s (L-1s,
H-1Bs, TNs) and I-140s.
For all cases where an RFE (Request
for Evidence) or NOID (Notice of Intent to Deny) was issued between March 1,
2020 and May 1, 2020, the USCIS will allow an automatic 60 day extension to the
due date.
Interviews and In-Person Appointments: The USCIS has suspended
all in-person services until at least May 3, 2020. This cancellation includes interviews for
green card cases and biometrics appointments. USCIS will send notices to all
applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments impacted by this closure
and all appointments will be automatically rescheduled when services resume. The USCIS has also announced that it will re-use
biometric information already on file in order to process applications for
Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
Electronic Signatures: Due to the National Emergency, USCIS
will accept scanned,
faxed, or photocopied, original signatures.
For forms that require an original “wet” signature, including the I-129,
I-140, and I-485, USCIS will accept electronically reproduced original
signatures for the duration of the National Emergency.
Department
of State:
US Embassies: Effective March 20, 2020
the Department of States has also suspended
interviews in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. As resources allow, embassies and consulates
will continue to provide emergency services. Appointments and interviews will
resume as soon as possible. If you are a
medical professional, please see our previous blog
post about interviews for medical professionals.
Travel
Restrictions:
Out of the US: On March 19, 2020, the
Department of State has issued a Level
4 warning, advising all US Citizens to avoid all international travel. US Citizens who do not live in the United
States should arrange for immediate return to the US or prepare to remain
abroad for an indefinite period of time.
Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and are implementing
travel restrictions, quarantines, and closed borders.
Into the US: Travel bans have been issued
restricting travel to the US for individuals who have traveled to: Austria,
Belgium, Mainland China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein,
Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia,
Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland, United Kingdom, within in the last 14
days.
The
following individuals are exempt from the travel ban:
- US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
- Spouses of US Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
- Parents or legal guardians of US Citizens of Lawful Permanent Residents, provided that the child is unmarried and under the age of 21;
- Siblings of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, provided both are unmarried and under the age of 21;
- Children who are under the legal custody of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; and
- Other certain foreign government and health officials.
Stay
Safe and Healthy and Please Remember to Wash Your Hands Regularly.
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