COVID-19: Immigration Updates and Resources

Employers and individuals are navigating immigration challenges related to the outbreak of COVID-19. Below are resources to stay up to date on the current coronavirus outbreak as it relates to immigration, travel and global mobility.

Ryan Swanson Immigration Alerts:

December 3, 2021

• The U.S. Government Imposes One-Day COVID Test Requirement for All International Travelers to the U.S.

November 15, 2021

• USCIS Allows Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization for H-4, E, and L-2 Nonimmigrant Dependent Spouses

November 10, 2021

• Major Settlement Agreement Impacts H-4 and L-2 Spouse EAD Policies

November 4, 2021

• OSHA Issues “Emergency Temporary Standard” Requiring Large Employers to Comply with Federal Mandatory Vaccine Rules by January 4, 2022

October 15, 2021

• White House Says Fully Vaccinated Foreign Travelers Can Start Entering the U.S. on November 8

October 8, 2021

• USCIS Starts Online Registration for Diversity Visa (DV) Program for FY-2023

September 20, 2021

• United States Will Lift Travel Ban for Fully Vaccinated Travelers Beginning November 2021

July 21, 2021

• Canada Loosens Border Restrictions while the U.S. Extends Restrictions on Travelers Via Land Borders with Canada and Mexico

June 14, 2021

• Late Breaking Immigration News from AILA Conference

June 4, 2021

• ICE Announces Extension of Form I-9 Compliance Flexibility due to COVID-19

May 19, 2021

• USCIS Resumes Deference to Prior Approvals

May 5, 2021

• USCIS Will No Longer Require Biometrics from Certain H-4, L-2, and E Visa Extension of Stay and Change of Status Applicants

May 5, 2021

• Urgent Travel Alert: U.S. Imposes Travel Ban on India as of Tuesday, May 4th

March 10, 2021

• Public Charge Final Rule No Longer in Effect

March 10, 2021

• U.S. House of Representatives Delays Vote on President Biden’s Immigration Reform Bill 

March 1, 2021

• White House Cancels Proclamation Suspending the Entry of Certain Immigrants to the U.S.

January 26, 2021

• Biden Signs Proclamation Limiting Entry by Non-U.S. Citizens from the Schengen Area, U.K., Ireland, Brazil and South Africa

January 23, 2021

• Biden Administration Day-One Executive Orders Rescinding Trump Travel Bans and Fortifying DACA 

January 13, 2021

• Proof of Negative COVID-19 Test Required for International Travelers Flying to the U.S.

November 18, 2020

• DHS Provides COVID-19 Exceptions to I-9 Compliance, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

August 13, 2020

• Department of State Announces Exceptions to Proclamation Suspending Entry of Nonimmigrants, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

June 1, 2020

• Trump Limits Entry of Students and Researchers in F-1 and J-1 Status from the People’s Republic of China, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

May 29, 2020

• USCIS Announces Premium Processing to Resume In June, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

April 23, 2020

• White House Proclamation Suspends the Entry of Certain Immigrants to the U.S., Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

March 20, 2020

• Premium Processing for All I-129 and I-140 Petitions Temporarily Suspended Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert
• U.S. Embassies and Consulates Cancel Visa Appointments Due to COVID-19 Outbreak, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

March 19, 2020

• USCIS Suspends In-person Services, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

March 17, 2020

• Canada Cancels All Routine Nonimmigrant Visa Appointments and Restricts International Travel, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

March 12, 2020

• COVID-19 Travel Ban Impacting Travel from Europe, Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

February 4, 2020

• Impact of Coronavirus on Travel from China to U.S., Ryan Swanson Immigration Alert

Local & Federal Resources:

• Trump extends Real ID deadline amid coronavirus crisis; REAL ID Frequently Asked Questions
• USCIS: Temporary Office Closure Extended until at least June 4, 2020
• Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” Order
• Governor Inslee’s “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” list of “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers“
• Washington State’s Official COVID-19 site, maintained by the state Joint Information Center
• Families First Coronavirus Response Act: Questions and Answers, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division
• COVID-19 or Other Public Health Emergencies and the Fair Labor Standards Act Questions and Answers, U.S. Department of Labor, Wage & Hour Division
• COVID-19: Information for workers and employers, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration
• Washington State’s Official COVID-19 site, maintained by the state Joint Information Center
• King County Public Health Recommendations
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
  • New recommendations for the Seattle area

Additional Ryan Swanson COVID-19 Articles & Alerts:

• Employer Obligations Under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, Ryan Swanson Employer Alert
• Coronavirus in the Workplace: Resources and Employer FAQs, Ryan Swanson Employer Alert
• State Announces $5M Grant Program for Small Business, Ryan Swanson Business Alert
• COVID-19: CARES Act – Key Provisions for Small to Mid-sized American Businesses, Ryan Swanson Business Alert
• COVID-19: Resources for Washington Businesses, Ryan Swanson Business Alert
• Ongoing Construction Projects Allowed to Restart with Safety Restrictions, Ryan Swanson Real Estate, Finance & Development Article
• COVID-19 Impact on Construction and Development in Washington, Ryan Swanson Real Estate, Finance & Development Article
• What the Residential Eviction Moratorium Means for Washington Landlords and Tenants, Ryan Swanson Real Estate, Development & Finance Article
• COVID-19: Seattle Creates Protections for Small Business and Nonprofit Tenants, Ryan Swanson Real Estate, Finance & Development Article

If you have questions, please feel free to contact any member of the Immigration Group at Ryan Swanson.