Key Points:

Individuals selected in the 2022 Diversity Visa lottery may apply for an immigrant visa beginning Oct. 1, 2021, and until Sept. 30, 2022.

The State Department reminded applicants:

• To submit their immigrant visa applications as early as possible.
• To follow the instructions of the notification letter and provide all information requested.
• During the visa interview, principal applicants must show proof of high school education or equivalent or two years of work experience within the last five years.

Additional Information: The 2022 Diversity Visa program saw over 7 million qualified entries. Of those entries, approximately 119,021 applicants were notified that they are eligible to submit an immigrant visa application.

Egypt topped the list with 6,005 registrants selected for the program, followed by Algeria, Russia, Sudan and Uzbekistan, which each had 6,001 registrants selected. Other countries that topped the list were Iran (5,739); Ukraine (4,949); Morocco (4,138); Nepal (3,802); and Afghanistan (3,410). The full list of countries can be found here.

The post Diversity Visa lottery results published appeared first on Global Law Centers.

• In-person services will not be available at field offices, asylum offices or application support centers on Jan. 19 and 20.
• The agency will reschedule appointments that had been scheduled on the two days and send notices to applicants of their new appointment dates.

Additional information: The USCIS website and USCIS Contact Center will remain available for information, case status updates, and other online tools and resources.

For additional information, please contact law@globallawcenters.com.

The post USCIS Suspends In-Person Services January 19 and 20 appeared first on Global Law Centers.

President Trump has issued an executive order which becomes effective on Thursday, April 23, 2020 at 11:59 PM (ET), expires in 60 days and may be continued as necessary. Within 50 days from the effective date, DHS and the Department of Labor shall recommend whether the President should continue or modify the proclamation.

Who does it affect?

The order suspends the entry of any individual seeking to enter the U.S. for permanent residency and who meet the following conditions:

• Is outside the United States on the effective date of the proclamation;
• Does not have a valid immigrant visa on the effective date; and
• Does not have a valid official travel document (such as a transportation letter, boarding foil, or advance parole document) on the effective date, or issued on any date thereafter that permits travel to the United States to seek entry or admission.

Who is NOT included in the proclamation?

1. Those who have already applied or will apply for adjustment of status in the U.S.;
2. Lawful permanent residents (LPR) renewing their green cards;
3. Non-immigrant visa holders and applicants; However, please note that within 30 days of the effective date, non-immigrant programs will be reviewed to determine whether additional restrictions will be added.
4. Physicians, nurses, or other healthcare professionals coming to perform work essential to combatting, recovering from, or otherwise alleviating the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak (as determined by Dept. of State and DHS).
5. EB-5 immigrant investors;
6. Spouses of U.S. citizens;
7. Children of U.S. citizens under the age of 21 and prospective adoptees;
8. Individuals who would further important U.S. law enforcement objectives (as determined by DHS and DOS);
9. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their spouses and children;
10. Individuals and their spouses or children eligible for Special Immigrant Visas as an Afghan or Iraqi translator/interpreter or U.S. Government Employee (SI or SQ classification);
11. Individuals whose entry would be in the national interest (as determined by DOS and DHS); and;
12. Asylum seekers.

Discretion: It is within the discretion of the consular officer to determine if an individual is within one of the exempted categories.

Prioritized Removal: Individuals who circumvent the order by fraud, wilful misrepresentation or illegal entry will be prioritized for removal.

The post President Trump Issues Executive Order Suspending Some Immigration appeared first on Global Law Centers.