Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thereare a variety of closures and suspensions of immigration services.  Below is a summary of all closures andsuspensions at this time.  This list issubject to change as new updates become available. 
USCitizenship and Immigration Service:

Immigration Filings: USCIS will continue to perform dutiesthat do not involve contact with the public. Petitions will continue to be accepted for filing and adjudicated by theUSCIS.  Effective March 20, 2020 theUSCIS has announced the immediateand temporary suspension of premium processing on all I-129s (L-1s,H-1Bs, TNs) and I-140s.

For all cases where an RFE (Requestfor 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 thedue date. 

Interviews and In-Person Appointments: The USCIS has suspendedall in-person services until at least May 3, 2020.  This cancellation includes interviews forgreen card cases and biometrics appointments. USCIS will send notices to allapplicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments impacted by this closureand all appointments will be automatically rescheduled when services resume.  The USCIS has also announced that it will re-usebiometric information already on file in order to process applications forEmployment Authorization Documents (EADs). 

Electronic Signatures: Due to the National Emergency, USCISwill 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 originalsignatures for the duration of the National Emergency.
Departmentof State:

US Embassies: Effective March 20, 2020the Department of States has also suspendedinterviews in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19.  As resources allow, embassies and consulateswill continue to provide emergency services. Appointments and interviews willresume as soon as possible.  If you are amedical professional, please see our previous blogpost about interviews for medical professionals. 

TravelRestrictions: 
Out of the US: On March 19, 2020, theDepartment of State has issued a Level4 warning, advising all US Citizens to avoid all international travel.  US Citizens who do not live in the UnitedStates should arrange for immediate return to the US or prepare to remainabroad for an indefinite period of time. Many countries are experiencing COVID-19 outbreaks and are implementingtravel restrictions, quarantines, and closed borders.

Into the US: Travel bans have been issuedrestricting 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 14days.
Thefollowing individuals are exempt from the travel ban:
  • US Citizensand Lawful Permanent Residents;
  • Spouses of USCitizens and Lawful Permanent Residents;
  • Parents orlegal guardians of US Citizens of Lawful Permanent Residents, provided that thechild is unmarried and under the age of 21;
  • Siblings ofUS Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents, provided both are unmarried andunder the age of 21;
  • Children whoare under the legal custody of US Citizens or Lawful Permanent Residents; and
  • Other certainforeign government and health officials. 

 OnApril 11, 2020 officials will reassess COVID-19 travel bans.

Stay Safe and Healthy andPlease Remember to WashYour Hands Regularly