Geygan & Geygan, Ltd.

A Cincinnati Immigration Law Firm

Suspension of Routine Visa Services by Embassies

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In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of State is temporarily suspending routine visa services at all U.S. Embassies and Consulates. Embassies and consulates will cancel all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments as of March 20, 2020. As resources allow, embassies and consulates will continue to provide emergency and mission critical visa services. Our overseas missions will resume routine visa services as soon as possible but are unable to provide a specific date at this time. 

  • Individuals interested in the operations of a particular post should contact that embassy or consulate directly.  Contact information for embassies and consulates worldwide is available at usembassy.gov.
  • Applicants with an urgent matter and need to travel immediately should follow the guidance provided at the Embassy’s website to request an emergency appointment. Examples of an urgent matter include air and sea crew, and medical personnel, particularly those working to treat or mitigate the effects of COVID-19.
  • This does not affect the Visa Waiver Program. See https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/faq?focusedTopic=Schengen%20Travel%20Proclamation for more information.
  • Although all routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments are cancelled, the Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee is valid and may be used for a visa appointment in the country where it was purchased within one year of the date of payment.

USCIS Proposed Fee Increases

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This morning I received an advanced copy of USCIS proposed fee increases. The notice will become official on November 14th. For the second time in a row, USCIS proposes increasing their fees an average of 21%.

Below are some of the proposed fee changes:

Current FeeProposed FeeChange
K-1$535.00 $520.00 ($15.00)
I-130$535.00 $555.00 $20.00
AOS Packet$1,760.00 $2,750.00 $990.00
I-485$1,140.00 $1,120.00 ($20.00)
I-751$595.00 $760.00 $165.00
N-400$640.00 $1,170.00 $530.00
I-526$3,675.00 $4,015.00 $340.00
E-2$460.00 $705.00 $245.00
I-601 A$630.00 $960.00 $330.00
I-765$410.00 $490.00 $80.00

USCIS Final Rule Affidavit of Support

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This final rule amends DHS regulations by prescribing how DHS will determine whether an alien applying for admission or adjustment of
status is inadmissible to the United States under section 212(a)(4) of the
Immigration and Nationality Act (INA or the Act), because he or she is likely at any time to become a public charge.

The final rule includes definitions of certain terms critical to the public charge determination, such as ‘‘public charge’’ and ‘‘public benefit,’’ which are not defined in the statute, and explains the factors DHS will consider in the totality of the circumstances when making a public charge inadmissibility determination.

The final rule also addresses USCIS’ authority to issue public charge bonds under section 213 of the Act in the context of applications for adjustment of status. Finally, this rule includes a requirement that aliens seeking an extension of stay or change of status demonstrate that they have not,
since obtaining the nonimmigrant status they seek to extend or change, received public benefits.

TPS to Green Card

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USCIS Issues Policy Memorandum Designating AAO Decision in Matter of H-G-G- as an Adopted Decision

USCIS issued a policy memo designating Matter of H-G-G- as an adopted decision, noting that “For purposes of adjustment of status under section 245 of the Act, a recipient of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) is considered as being in and maintaining lawful status as a nonimmigrant only during the period that TPS is in effect; a grant of TPS does not constitute an admission, nor does it cure or otherwise impact any previous unlawful status.” Matter of H-G-G-, Adopted Decision 2019-01 (AAO July 31, 2019)

USCIS to make processing for Citizenship and Green Cards more confusing

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As USCIS begins to shift caseloads between field offices they may schedule applicants to appear for an interview at a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. Applicants may receive an interview appointment notice or other types of notices (such as a Request for Evidence) from a field office outside of their normal jurisdiction. However, these caseload changes will not affect where applicants attend their biometrics appointments. We will still direct them to the nearest application support center. Applicants should follow the instructions on any notices they receive from USCIS.

As we get the notices for interviews we will let you know when and where we will need to appear. Mr. Geygan will still appear at the interview.

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