DOS Issues New Directive on Nonimmigrant Visa Issuance

Effective November 20, 2007 the U.S. Department of State has instructed the United States consular posts that the original I-797 approval notice that was used for issuing nonimmigrant visas to beneficiaries of H, L, O, P and Q petitions will no longer be used as evidence of visa approval status. An on-line service, Petition Information Management Service will now be the primary source of evidence used to determine if an employer’s petition for issuing nonimmigrant visas to beneficiaries of H, L, O, P and Q petitions has been approved.