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Visa News Archive

Visa News Archives

2011:

  • The online entry registration period for DV-2013 is over. (November 7, 2011)
  • DV-2013 Visa Lottery Program (September, 13, 2011)
    The Diversity Visa (DV) 2013 Lottery online entry begins at noon Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) on Tuesday, October 4, 2011, and ends at noon EDT on Saturday, November 5, 2011.
  • Change To Filing I-130 Petition (August 11, 2011)
    Effective August 15, 2011, petitioners residing overseas in countries such as Japan where USCIS does not have a public counter presence need to file their Forms I-130 by mail with the USCIS Chicago lockbox. For details, see Step 1.
  • USCIS Cntralizes I-130 Filing (June 3, 2011)
    Effective August 15, 2011, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is centralizing the filing of the I-130 immigrant visa petition. For details, see USCIS News.
  • Diversity Visa 2012 Voided  (May 13, 2011)
    The results of the selection process for the 2012 Diversity Visa (DV-2012) program have been voided. Results previously available via the Entry Status Check (ESC) function on the Department of State website, dvlottery.state.gov, were posted in error and are now invalid. The results were not valid because, owing to a computer error, they did not represent a fair, random selection of entrants, as required by U.S. law.

    This means that we have rescinded all notices informing entrants that they had been selected for further processing in DV-2012; if you received such a notice via ESC on dvlottery.state.gov, it is no longer valid.

    A new random selection process will be conducted based on the original entries for the DV-2012 program. If you submitted a qualified entry from October 5, 2010, to November 3, 2010, you do not need to reapply. Your entry will be included in the new random selection. Your confirmation number, which is required to determine the status of your entry, remains the same. We are not accepting new entries for the DV-2012 program.

    We expect the results of the new random selection process to be available by July 15, 2011, via the ESC function on dvlottery.state.gov.

    We regret any inconvenience this might have caused.

    For further information and future updates on the 2012 DV program, please see:

    - http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/
    - http://travel.state.gov/visa/immigrants/types/types_1322.html  

  • USCIS News (March 27, 2011)
    USCIS Reminds Japanese Nationals Impacted by Recent Disaster

  • Diversity Visa Scam Alert! (March 1, 2011)

    Successful DV-2011 applicants were notified by the Department of States, Kentucky Consular Center (KCC) by letter, NOT email and were provided instructions on how to proceed to the next step in the process. The KCC will not ask you to send money to them or to this Embassy or any other U.S. Embassies by mail or services such as Wetern Union. For more information, plaese visit Department State Travel site.

2010:

  • New Application and Petition Fees Went Into Effect on November 23, 2010    (November 24, 2010)
    USCIS has increased fees for non-immigrant and immigrant petitions. For more information, please visit USCIS website.
  • Talk with consular officers online. (November 16, 2010)
    Every month the Osaka-Kobe Consulate will hold live web chats. Consular officers will be online to answer your questions. For more information, please see web chat annoucement (PDF - 221kb).
  • The DS-160 has been improved. (November 8, 2010)
    New version enables to "continue" an in-progress application if appliants need to exit the DS-160 to gather additional information before completion the form or if they retrieve an early "time out" or error during completionof the DS-160.
  • The online entry registration period for DV-2012 is over. (November 3, 2010)
  • DV-2012 Visa Lottery Program (September, 30, 2010)
    The Diversity Visa (DV) 2012 Lottery online entry begins on Tuesday, October 5, 2010, and ends at noon EDT on Wednesday, November 3, 2010.
  • ESTA Fee To Be Charged On September 8, 2010. (August 9, 2010)

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection(CBP)announced that travelers from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must pay certain fees when applying for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Japan is a visa waiver program country. Travelers from VWP countries will begin paying those fees on September 8, 2010.

    The fees include a $4 fee for operational costs along with the $10 fee mandated by the Travel Promotion Act. Total fee will be $14.

    The fees will be collected when travelers apply for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) to get approval to travel to the United States under the VWP.
    See more-DHS/CBP Press Release
  • Immigrant Visa Fees to Increase On July 13, 2010 (July 1, 2010)
    Effective July 13, 2010, the Immigrant visa fee will change. IV applicants must pay the amount due on the day they are billed, whether that amount was billed by NVC or is being paid at a consular cashier. New Immigrant Visa Fees:

    IV Application Processing Fee          Current Fee:       New Fee: 
    1. Family-based immigrant visa:              $355              $330
    2. Employment-based immigrant visa:     $355              $720
    3. Other immigrant visas (SIVs, DVs, etc.) $355            $305
    IV Security Surcharge:                               $45              $74
    Diversity Visa Lottery surcharge:            $375              $440
    Determining Returning Resident Status: $400              $380

    Please see travel.state.gov     for more details.  
  • Non-immigrant Visa Application Fees to Increase On June 4, 2010   (May 24, 2010)
    Effective June 4, 2010, the application fee for a U.S. non-immigrant visa will increase from $131 to between $140 and $390 depending on the visa category. This increase applies to non-immigrant visas issued on machine-readable foils in passports.
  • Elimination of Paper I-94W form (May 24, 2010)
    See more - DHS Press Release
  • Web Chat: Ask the Consular Officer! (May 12, 2010)
    Osaka Consulate will host a web chat on May 26, 2010, 12:00-1:30p.m. Web chat address: Click here and participants click “ Enter as a Guest” and type your name.
  • Greece joins the Visa Waiver Program (March 19, 2010)
    Beginning April 5, Greek nationals will be eligible to travel to the United States for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa. They are required to travel on electronic passports (e-passports) and must first obtain authorization under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). For more information, please visit DHS website.
  • LetterPack 500 replaces ExPack 500 (March 19, 2010)
    Japan Post will replace "ExPack500" with "LetterPack500" effective April 1, 2010. The U.S. Embassy/Consulates will start accepting the "LetterPack500" for all visa services on or after April 1, 2010. The applicants will need to bring one self-addressed, prepaid "LetterPack500" envelope to the interview for the return of their passports and documents. The "LetterPack 500" is only available at post offices throughout Japan. Please note that applicants may use the "ExPack500" if they have purchased already.
  • DS-160, New Nonimmigrant Online Visa Application Form
    (March 1, 2010)
    All nonimmigrant visa applicants (regardless of age) who have an interview on and after March 29, 2010, except K (Fiancee and certain spouses) visa applicants, must complete Form DS-160. Applicants who have an interview on and before March 26 must use the DS-156 form.

    Form DS-160 replaces the current DS-156, DS-157 and DS-158 forms. Form DS-160 requires you to enter a significant amount of information and captures your information and transmits it electronically for processing. If your application form is not completed properly, your case cannot be processed and a new interview will be required.

  • CBP News Release: Enforced ESTA Compliance. (February 1, 2010)

    Nationals from all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, have been required to obtain an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) authorization since January 12, 2009, prior to boarding a carrier to travel by air or sea to the United States under the VWP.

    Effective January 20, 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has initiated the enforced ESTA compliance, and VWP travelers who have not obtained ESTA Authorization should expect to be denied boarding on any air carrier bound for the U.S.

    To apply for an ESTA or for more information, please see http://www.cbp.gov/esta.
  • HIV Infection has been removed from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance. (January 8, 2010)

    Effective January 4, 2010 HIV Infection has been removed from the list of communicable diseases of public health significance. This means that HIV infection is no longer be an inadmissible condition. Applicants who travel to the United States who are otherwise qualified may travel visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. Travelers not eligible to travel visa free will be required to apply for a visa, but will no longer require a waiver of ineligibility before the visa can be issued. For more details, please see http://travel.state.gov.

2009:

  • U.S. Consulate-General Osaka-Kobe Announces Expanded Hours for Visa Interviews (December 8, 2009)
    Starting on January 4, 2010, the U.S. Consulate Osaka-Kobe will offer afternoon visa interview appointments at 1:30 p.m. and 2 p.m., Monday through Thursday (Japanese and U.S. Holidays excluded) along with its regular morning appointments from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., also Monday through Thursday.

    For making an appointment in Osaka, please click here.

  • Web Chat - Q & A on U.S. Visas (December 3, 2009)
    U.S. Consulate Osaka-Kobe will host a Web Chat on Thursday, Dec. 17, 2009 between 12:00 and 1:30 p.m., and will be answering questions regarding visas for attending conferences and meetings in the United States as well as visas for students and exchange programs. Speak with a consular officer live over the Internet!

  • Transcript is available (December 22, 2009)
    We want to thank everyone for participating in our December 17th web chat. We appreciated everyone's questions regarding visas for attending conferences and meetings in the United States as well as visas for students and exchange programs. Please check here again for upcoming web chats. See you online!

  • Entry registration period for DV-2011 is over. (December 1, 2009)

  • Guam/CNMI Visa Waiver Program　(November 9, 2009)
    As of November 28, 2009, the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) will cease to operate its own immigration system, and U.S. immigration law will apply.

    • On November 28, 2009, the Guam/CNMI visa waiver program will replace the existing Guam Visa Waiver Program. This program is in addition to the regular Visa Waiver Program that grants aliens from 35 countries access to the U.S for B1/B2 trips of up to 90 days.

    During the transition period, certain measures for alien workers, investors and students will apply.

    Aliens present in the CNMI as of November 28 will be grandfathered under a variety of provisions for a maximum period of two years, during which they must adjust to one of the available categories. However, starting November 28, aliens arriving in or returning to the CNMI will require a visa. As soon as more specific information is available, it will be posted to this web-site. Please check again soon.

    Parole for Citizens of the Russian Federation and the People's Republic of China for the CNMI Only: Please see here for details

2008:

  • DHS Designates Malta as a Visa Waiver Program Country (December 29, 2008)
    DHS has announced that nationals of Malta are able to travel visa-free to the U.S. effective on December 30, 2008. Please see here for details.
  • The online entry registration period for DV-2010 is over. (December 1, 2008)
  • New Visa Waiver Program Countries (November 17, 2008)
    DHS has announced that nationals of the Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic will be able to travel without a visa for tourist and business travel of 90 days or less beginning on November 17 provided they possess a biometric passport and register on-line through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
  • Student and Exchange Visitor Program Fee Will Increase on October 27, 2008 (October 20, 2008)

    In order to fund additional improvements to the SEVIS system and school verification process, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published a final rule increasing fees for F, M, and J travelers and sponsoring schools, which goes into effect October 27, 2008. SEVIS Fees for F and M students will increase from USD 100 to USD 200, and SEVIS fees for most exchange visitor (J) travelers will increase from USD 100 to USD 180.

    F, M, and J applicants who paid their SEVIS fee before October 27 do not need to pay the higher amount, even if they have not traveled or applied for a visa by that date (More...)

    The official fee change announcement can be found at: http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/sevp_factsheet.pdf (PDF - 19kb)

  • DV-2010 visa lottery program (September, 30, 2008)
    The Diversity Visa (DV) 2010 Lottery online entry begin at Noon EDT on October 2, 2008, and end at Noon EST on December 1, 2008.
  • Electronic System of Travel Authorization (ESTA) (June 4, 2008)
    DHS will implement an online pre-travel authorization, ESTA, for U.S.-bound travelers from Visa Waiver countries. Under this new online system, all nationals or citizens of VWP countries who plan to travel to the United States for temporary business or pleasure under the VWP will need to receive an electronic travel authorization prior to boarding a U.S.-bound airplane or cruise ship. (more).

    Please visit DHS website for more ESTA information, https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/.
    For ESTA FAQs, please see here.
  • DHS TRIP (Traveler Redress Inquiry Program) (March, 25, 2008)
    On February 21, 2007, DHS announced its launch of the Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (TRIP). TRIP offers legitimate travelers a central online location to address concerns and seek relief from screening-related difficulties they may have experienced during their travel to and from the U.S. This may include being:

    1. Denied or delayed airline boarding
    2. Denied or delayed entry into and exit from the U.S. at a POE or border checkpoint
    3. Continuously referred to secondary screening

Quick Reference Handout (Travel on the VWP) (PDF 207KB)

Travelers seeking redress may file a complaint online at https://trip.dhs.gov/ and track its status by using the control number assigned to their inquiry.

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