The U.S. Department of State has announced changes in the maximum permissible validity of several key visas for French nationals traveling to the United States. The changes, which went into effect in November 2019, reduce the maximum length of visas in several student and work visa categories.

Impacted Visas

The most notable visas that are impacted are the E-1 treaty trader visa, the E-2 treaty investor visa, the L-1 intracompany transferee visa, and the F-1 student visa. The standard validity of the E-1 and E-2 work visas for French nationals was reduced from 60 months to 25 months and the L-1 intracompany transferee and L-2 dependent visa from 60 months to 17 months. Similarly, F-1 student visa validity was reduced from 60 months to 20 months. Visa categories that did not change, despite earlier predictions, include the H-1B and I visa validity, which remain at 60 months. Also, while there was discussion of imposing additional fees on French nationals seeking certain visas, no such additional fees were imposed for the E, F, H, I or L visas.

Why the Change Occurred

In announcing the changes, the U.S. Embassy in Paris explained that they came about as part of a worldwide review covering all countries and visa categories and were put in place to "better reciprocate the terms set for U.S. Citizens in France." Those who have been following the reciprocity schedule changes saw earlier announcements of a reduction in the E-1 and E-2 visa validity period over the summer but the effective date of the change was postponed and then the change was temporarily withdrawn.

Practical Implications

As the visa validity sets the period during which visa holders may enter the United States from abroad, French visa holders in the impacted visa categories who travel internationally will likely need to apply more frequently for new visa stamps. The general terms of the E, L, and F visa holders who are in the United States remain unchanged. Namely, E-1/E-2 visa holders are still permitted to seek admission for up to two years from each entry and remain in the United States beyond the visa validity as long as they have a valid I-94 record, and L-1 applicants are still entitled to an initial entry of up to three years, followed by an extension of up to two years for a total of five years in L-1B status and seven years in L-1A status. Similarly, once admitted to the United States, F-1 students will be permitted to remain in the U.S. for the duration of their authorized study program. However, the need to obtain a new visa much more frequently will likely increase the number of applicants at the Embassy/Consulates and may cause longer wait times for appointments at the U.S. Embassy in Paris, in particular.

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