Alert: New U.S. Entry Restrictions

Due to concern of transmitting the coronavirus, the U.S. has placed new restrictions on entry into the U.S.

• Visa appointments at U.S. consulates in China have been canceled until further notice.
• Foreign nationals who have been in China within 14 days of seeking admission to the U.S. will be denied entry, with the exception of lawful permanent residents, immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and certain others.
• U.S. citizens and their immediate family (even if not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident) who have visited mainland China within 14-days before reentry to the U.S. will be admitted, but face medical screening and a self-imposed quarantine for 14-days. 
• U.S. citizens and their immediate family (even if not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident) who have visited China’s Hubei Province within 14-days before reentry to the U.S. will face a 14-day mandatory quarantine,

Additionally, President Trump expanded the “travel ban”.  Citizens of Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar (Burma), and Nigeria will not be allowed to pursue immigrant (permanent residency) visas whether through employment-based, family-based or Diversity Visa program (except Special Immigrants whose eligibility is based on having provided assistance to the U.S. government).  Furthermore, citizens of Sudan and Tanzania will no longer be allowed to immigrate through the Diversity Visa (“DV Lottery”) program, which randomly awards green cards to 50,000 immigrants from underrepresented countries annually.