October 2023 not only provided amazing Halloween costumes but big updates to the United States and global immigration. The Cozen O’Connor catch-up this month highlights these changes and provides the details you need to...more
On September 27, 2023, the Department of State and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) jointly announced the designation of Israel into the Visa Waiver Program....more
The U.S. embassy in Israel announced, on October 16, 2023, that it would cease immigrant and nonimmigrant visa services due to the country’s unpredictable security situation. Shortly after the U.S. embassy made this...more
Effective October 19, 2023, Israeli citizens traveling to the U.S. for business or pleasure are now able to apply to enter the U.S. through the Visa Waiver Program by obtaining ESTA Travel Authorization instead of a visitor...more
Beginning on October 19, 2023, eligible Israeli citizens and nationals can apply for visa-free travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)....more
The Biden administration has formally admitted Israel into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), known as Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) after years of effort. The VWP, which currently encompasses 40 countries,...more
On September 27, 2023, Secretary of State, Antony Blinken and Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas announced that Israel will join the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Pursuant to the designation, beginning on...more
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued additional Visa Waiver Program guidance involving Cuba, Hungary, and Israel. The Visa Waiver Program allows individuals from selected countries to enter the United...more
On July 6, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) updated the existing Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) application to add questions focusing on an applicant’s travel and connection to Cuba,...more
In recent US immigration developments, the Department of State has authorized consular offices to forgo the in-person interview requirement for some nonimmigrant visa applicants. Further, President Joseph Biden has revoked...more
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has designated Croatia for inclusion in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Eligible Croatian nationals who have an electronically readable passport (e-Passport) and who have...more
- Foreign visitors and employees can extend or change their immigration status. - DHS relaxes requirements for original documents and original signatures. - DHS offices are closed to the public but continue to...more
As the White House extends its social distancing guidelines another month through April 30 in recognition of the still-increasing pace of COVID-19 infections and deaths in the U.S., it appears that many U.S. immigration...more
Poland has been designated into the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Starting November 11, 2019, eligible citizens and nationals of Poland will be able to travel to the United States without a visa for tourism and business trips of...more
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has designated Poland as the newest member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)....more
Poland will be the 39th country in the Visa Waiver Program, starting November 11, 2019, which allows for visa-free travel to the United States for up to 90 days for business or pleasure. On November 6, 2019, Acting...more
Poland will become the 39th member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) on November 11, 2019. Polish citizens and nationals will be able to apply to travel to the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90...more
1. What is the VWP? The VWP is administered by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the State Department. ...more
As is the case with most countries, foreign nationals are generally required to have a passport valid for six months beyond the period of their intended stay to be admitted to the United States. Foreign nationals planning...more
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) released its Spring 2019 Regulatory Agenda, announcing the agency's priorities and how it plans to continue furthering the current administration's immigration-related goals....more
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released its spring 2019 regulatory agenda, highlighting the agency’s rulemaking priorities through 2019. While many of the agenda items appear to be carryovers from agendas past,...more
On December 15, 2017, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it would implement enhanced security measures for the Visa Waiver Program as part of the administration’s ongoing counterterrorism efforts. ...more
Travel to the United States, with its new immigration enforcement-minded administration, will require foreign travelers to be even more aware of the rules governing border protection, and take advantage of the travel programs...more
In the most stinging legal rebuke yet to President Trump’s efforts to bar certain immigrants from reaching the country’s shores, a federal judge in Hawaii late Wednesday ordered the president’s second travel ban be...more
President Donald Trump’s issuance of an executive order on Jan. 27, banning travel to the U.S. for 90 days by nationals of seven predominantly Muslim countries, and putting a halt to the U.S. refugee assistance program for...more