THE US GOVERNMENT AND CONGRESS HAVE PASSED A CORONA VIRUS ECONOMIC RELIEF BILL
The US states government and congress yesterday passed a historic coronavirus relief bill aimed at alleviating the potential economic hardship the shutdown from the virus is causing to workers and the US economy.
The bill provides for expanded benefits for workers:
It has expanded unemployment insurance payment to cover both payroll workers, independent contractors, gig economy workers and the self-employed. (these later three categories of workers did not qualify for such benefits before);
The government has increased payments under the…
FOREIGN NATIONALS PRESENT IN THE US UNDER THE VISA WAIVER PROGRAM DURING THE CORONAVIRUS OUTBREAK
The Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) has announced new directives regarding some foreign nationals present in the US on Visa Waiver Program (VWP) / Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) because of the coronavirus outbreak. Acceptable reasons for overstay may include:
Cancelled flights
Exposure to the virus
Flu-like symptoms
Other health related issues
This policy applies to foreign nationals on VWP/ESTA or certain non-immigrant work visas, who are seeking a 30-day extension due to cancelled flights.
The new directives are…
EXPIRATION OF IMMIGRANT VISAS ALREADY ISSUED AND THE CORONAVIRUS TRAVEL BAN
The US Department of State has new directives relating to foreign nationals already issued US immigrant visas but cannot travel to the US, because of the coronavirus travel restrictions affecting citizens of many countries. Typically, US immigrant visas issued by the consulates or embassies are valid for six (6) months only. That means if the travel ban continues for a long time, some of those immigrant visas already issued will expire.
Please contact our office if you or someone you know…