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• 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

• DV-2011 Visa Lottery Program (September, 30, 2009)
  The Diversity Visa (DV) 2011 Lottery online entry begins on Friday, October 2, 2009, and ends at noon EST on Monday, November 30, 2009.

• Visa Renewal (September, 30, 2009)

Repeat travelers to the U.S. may qualify to renew their visas without appearing for an interview. See here for details.

• ESTA Customer Service (August 5, 2009)

Travelers with general questions regarding the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, ESTA, can find answers to frequently asked questions on the Customs and Border Patrol Internet site at https://help.cbp.gov keyword ESTA. Travelers can also use this website to submit their own questions which will be answered by e-mail.
• VWP Emergency and temporary passports must be e-passports (June 19, 2009)

Effective July 1, 2009, VWP countries' emergency and temporary passports will be subject to the electronic passport (e-passport) requirement. Bearers of non-electronic emergency or temporary passportsissued after October 26, 2006 by VWP countries will be required to apply for U.S. visas. (Note: All passports issued by the eight VWP countries designated in 2008: Malta, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, the Republic of Korea and the Slovak Republic, including those issued before October 26, 2006, must be e-passports to be used for VWP travel.)

The e-passport requirement does not apply to nationals and citizens of non-VWP countries that travel on nonimmigrant visas or for whom visas are not required. Nationals and citizens of non-VWP countries may continue to present regular emergency and temporary passports that are not e-passports for admission into the United States.
The official announcement can be found at DHS website

• 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).
  
  
  1. Quick Reference Handout (Travel on the VWP)
  2. Press Release (Full text of the President's statement)
  
  
  
• 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
  
  





See also: visa news archives.