News & Analysis as of

National Security Visas US Department of State

Littler

U.S. Consulates Halt Issuance of F, J, and M Visas

Littler on

On May 27, 2025, the U.S. Department of State issued a directive to U.S. consulates globally to temporarily halt the issuance of F-1, M-1 and J-1 Exchange Visitor visas. This action is part of the current administration’s...more

Moore & Van Allen PLLC

Recent Developments in U.S. Immigration Policy: Student Visas

The State Department ordered U.S. embassies and consulates to temporarily stop scheduling new student visa interviews for F, M and J visas worldwide in preparation for expanding vetting. The directive instructs diplomatic...more

Holland & Hart LLP

Navigating Administrative Processing and Heightened Visa Vetting Procedures

Holland & Hart LLP on

In the past three months, the Trump administration has implemented a series of stringent immigration policies that have significantly impacted visa applicants and their sponsors. These measures include enhanced security...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

‘Catch and Revoke’ Program Takes Off: State Department AI-Driven Visa Crackdown

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

The U.S. State Department’s “Catch and Revoke” program uses artificial intelligence (AI) to monitor foreign nationals, particularly student visa holders. The program aims to identify individuals who express support for Hamas,...more

Dickinson Wright

Planning for Travel Ban 2025 – Leaked Draft Includes 43 countries

Dickinson Wright on

An article published by The New York Times on March 14, 2025, details a travel ban proposal under review by the Trump administration affecting 43 countries, categorized using a color-coded triage system (the “Article”). The...more

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Department of State Updates Eligibility for Waivers of Nonimmigrant Visa Interviews

The Department of State unexpectedly updated the requirements for nonimmigrant visa interview waiver eligibility, effective February 18, 2025. The interview waiver program (also referred to as Dropbox) allows qualified visa...more

Littler

Updates to Eligibility for Interview Waiver Applications at U.S. Consulates and the Potential Impact on Nonimmigrant Visa Holders

Littler on

On February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State superseded and updated its previously issued December 2023 post-COVID guidance on non-immigrant interview waiver applications. Under the revised guidance, Important Update on...more

Tonkon Torp LLP

Coming Soon: Travel Bans?

Tonkon Torp LLP on

The Trump administration has not yet published an executive order banning visa issuance or inbound travel from specific countries, however, we anticipate travel bans as soon as late March....more

Holland & Knight LLP

Executive Order: Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

Holland & Knight LLP on

Date Issued: Jan. 20, 2025 This executive order increases vigilance in vetting and screening standards concerning immigration and visa-issuance across federal agencies. The secretary of state, U.S. attorney general,...more

Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Extreme Vetting at U.S. Embassies and Consulates

On January 20, 2025, President Trump issued an executive order, “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats.” The order directs federal agencies, including the...more

Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP

Protecting The United States From Foreign Terrorists And Other National Security And Public Safety Threats

This Order authorizes increased vetting and screening of those seeking admission to the United States, and those already in the United States.  Agencies are directed to establish a uniform baseline for screening and vetting...more

Jackson Lewis P.C.

New Horizons: Romania Joins Visa Waiver Program

Jackson Lewis P.C. on

Romania will be the 43rd country to become a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The new designation made by Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas in conjunction with Secretary of State Antony Blinken will go...more

Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP

U.S. Authorizes Sanctions and Restricts Trade with Hong Kong in Response to China’s New National Security Law

President Trump signs law authorizing sanctions on individuals and financial institutions and ends U.S. preferential treatment for Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Autonomy Act authorizes sanctions on foreign financial...more

Mintz

State Department to Limit Visas for Specific Chinese Citizens

Mintz on

As part of the continuing trade and intellectual property war with China, the U.S. Department of State has implemented a new policy to limit visa validity periods and impose additional security clearances before visa issuance...more

Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak & Stewart,...

United States Expected to Limit Visas to Certain Chinese Citizens

A new policy enacted by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) instructs United States consular officers to limit the issuance of visas to some Chinese citizens as part of the administration’s measures to address China’s alleged...more

Mintz

Increased Scrutiny of Visa Applications and Possible Delays

Mintz on

On March 17, 2017, the Department of State (“DOS”), through the Secretary of State, issued a cable to all US consulates and embassies with guidance on enhanced screening and vetting of applications for US visas and other...more

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