Immigration Policy Updates

Please note: The information provided was accurate and up-to-date at the time of posting. Due to the dynamic nature of immigration policy, it is possible that the information or links provided may have changed over time. Users are advised to verify the accuracy and relevance of the content.

Latest Updates

U.S. Department of State Publishes Revised J Exchange Visitor Skills List

December 17, 2024

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published a new J Exchange Visitor Skills List (“Skills List”) effective December 9, 2024. The revised list removes 37 countries from the Skills list, and does not add any additional countries to the list. You can find a list of the countries that remain on the 2024 list ...

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirements for International Travelers to the United States Ended on May 12, 2023

May 12, 2023

As of 12:01 am EDT May 12, 2023, noncitizen nonimmigrant air passengers no longer need to show proof of being fully vaccinated with an accepted COVID-19 vaccine to board a flight to the United States. See the CDC travel page for more information

Visa Fee Increases Effective May 30, 2023

March 28, 2023

A Department of State (DOS) final rule published at 88 FR 18243 (March 28, 2023) raises visa processing fees, effective May 30, 2023. (These are the visa processing fees for an entry visa application at an embassy or consulate abroad.) Changes impacting students and scholars or employees:

NIV MRV*, non-petition-based (except E)- changing from $160 to $185 NIV MRV* petition-based (H, L, O, P, Q, R)- changing from $190 to $205

* NIV MRV...

Coming April 27, 2023! J-1 DS-2019 Digital Signatures & Electronic Distribution

March 28, 2023

The U.S. Department of State announced the publication of an Interim Final Rule that permits designated sponsors for the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) to digitally sign and electronically transmit the J-1 DS-2019 form, effective April 27, 2023. With this change, sponsors like UC Berkeley can either

print and physically sign paper forms in ink, scan and save them, and electronically transmit them (e.g., via email). OR, sponsors onors may may use digital signature software to sign Forms DS-2019 and then electronically transmit them.

After receiving the DS-2019s electronically, J-1...

CDC Terminates COVID Test Requirement For PRC Travelers

March 10, 2023

On March 10, 2023, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) rescinded the Order titled “Requirements for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for Aircraft Passengers Traveling to the United States from the People’s Republic of China.”

This rescission takes effect for flights departing to the United States from the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau, and Designated Airports* at or after 3:00pm ET (8:00pm GMT) on March 10, 2023...

Immigration Policy Updates & FAQs Archive