Manufacturing companies looking for creative solutions to build the talent pool, especially to fill more skilled positions, should consider the TN work visa, a type of work visa available to citizens of Mexico and Canada. For further analysis and insight, please see our article here.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for Travelers From Mexico, Canada
As of January 22, 2022, all non-U.S. individuals seeking entrance to the United States at land or sea ports of entry on the Mexican or Canadian borders must be “fully vaccinated” and provide proof of such. There is no longer an exception for “essential” travel. The requirement does not apply to U.S. individuals, i.e., U.S.…
DHS Proposes Adding Mandatory Social Media Information to ESTA Process
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it plans to add mandatory social media collection to the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) process.
ESTA is an automated online system that makes an initial determination about a visitor’s eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP…
Countries Respond to COVID-19 Omicron Variant with New Travel Restrictions
As governments and people all over the world await more scientific data about the transmissibility and danger of the COVID-19 Omicron variant, countries are quickly issuing travel restrictions – primarily restricting travel from southern Africa. The restrictions vary from full border closures to suspending flights, enforcing quarantines, restricting arrivals, and requiring testing.
The list will…
Delays at U.S. Passport Agencies Continue
U.S. passport agencies maintained extremely limited operations as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic. There were significant delays, application status could not even be checked online and people were encouraged to wait to apply until normal operations resumed absent life or death emergencies. In June 2020, the agency started resuming regular operations with a…
H-1B, L-1 Update: USCIS Adopts Policy Changes
Nonimmigrant spouses of H-1B and L-1 visa holders with long-pending EAD applications have finally received some relief. Based upon a settlement in Shergill v. Mayokas, USCIS is making major policy changes. Going forward, certain H-4 spouses with pending EAD applications will be entitled to 180-day automatic extensions of their EAD cards and L-2…
Proposed DACA Rule from DHS Seeks to Codify Program
Efforts to pass “Dreamers” bills that would provide a pathway to citizenship for Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients have remained stagnant. In an effort to stabilize the DACA program, absent congressional action, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has published a proposed federal regulation announcing its intent to codify the DACA program.
The…
Nov. 8 Marks Lifting of Some U.S. COVID-19 International Travel Restrictions
As of 12:01 a.m. ET on November 8, 2021, the United States’ country-specific 14-day COVID-19 travel restrictions that have been so troublesome and disruptive for individuals and businesses will be eliminated. Instead, protecting the country from COVID-19 will focus on vaccination status.
President Joe Biden’s “A Proclamation on Advancing the Safe Resumption of Global…
COVID-19 Travel Restrictions Set to Relax for Fully Vaccinated
As long as they can show that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, foreign travelers will be allowed to visit the United States beginning November 8, 2021, according to the Biden Administration.
Until now, we knew only that the 14-day travel restrictions and the northern and southern border restrictions would be lifted sometime in November.…
United States to Open Borders with Canada and Mexico for Vaccinated Nationals Beginning November
The United States will open its northern and southern land borders to fully vaccinated foreign nationals sometime in November 2021. When this happens, it will be the first time since March 2020 that these individuals will be able to enter the United States from Canada and Mexico for “non-essential” purposes, such as tourism, shopping, and…