FCPA: Balancing Economic Competitiveness with Ethical Business Practices

Understanding the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Recent Developments and Implications

In this episode, Reinhard von Hennigs discusses the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA) and the recent executive order by the U.S. President to temporarily halt new enforcement actions under the FCPA. Highlighting the debate this has sparked within the international business community, Reinhard explores the potential impacts on American economic competitiveness, national security, and international trade. The episode delves into the history of the FCPA, its global context, and the executive order's possible legal and financial ramifications. It raises crucial questions about global business ethics, compliance, and the nature of fair competition in international markets.

How To Renew Your Passport and Get One For The First Time

 

How To Renew Your Passport and Get One For The First Time

Many Americans are making plans to travel internationally as countries begin to relax their border policies. Because there was little ability to travel since the beginning of 2020, lots of people haven’t taken a look at the expiration date of their passport and are now finding out that it has expired or will expire soon. Many are also wanting to travel internationally for the first time and need to get a passport. This article is all about how to renew your passport or obtain a passport for the first time.

How to Renew Your Passport in a Hurry

Those who need to renew their passport quickly must schedule an in-person appointment at a local passport agency within three business days of your trip and pay an additional $60 fee to expedite the application process. You can book your appointment two weeks in advance. These in-person appointments are very limited but are the quickest way to renew your passport. Click here to find your closest passport agency.

If you are unable to get an in-person appointment at a passport agency, you can also expedite your passport by mail, but the process will be slower. Expediting a passport application by mail averages processing times between 4-12 weeks and still carries an additional $60 fee. If your upcoming trip is within the next few weeks or months, you may want to go the in-person route instead.

Passport Acceptance Fairs

For those who have never had a passport, there are many passport acceptance fairs throughout the United States intended to make it easier for people to obtain a passport. Click here to see the locations and dates of the fairs.

When to Renew Your Passport In-Person

If you have a passport and wish to renew, and are in no rush, the Department of State recommends renewing your passport by mail. Here you will find everything you need to submit your passport renewal application via mail.

There are certain situations where you are required to apply in person, such as first-time applicants, children, and those whose passports were last issued when they were under the age of 16. When going to an in-person passport center, be sure to call ahead to ensure the agency is open and inquire as to whether the agency requires appointments.

You can check the application status of your passport here.

Renewing Your Passport While Abroad

If you are overseas and you need to renew your passport to return to the United States, you can renew your passport at the U.S. Embassy of the country where you are located. Make sure to visit that embassy’s website to find the specific instructions on how to renew your passport while abroad.

Updating Your Passport Photo

If your physical appearance has changed significantly compared to your passport photo, you may be required to update it. You can take your passport photo yourself, but it must adhere to the Department of State’s guidelines. Those guidelines can be found here.

Getting a Passport for Someone Under 16

If you need to obtain a passport for someone under 16, click here for a list of all the documents required for your in-person appointment.

If you would like to get more updates about immigration, law, international business, and much more, click here to sign up for our newsletter!

To speak with our U.S. immigration team, email us at immigration.bridgehouselaw@gmail.com.

Important NIE Update – NIEs Automatically Extended For 12 Months

 

IMPORTANT NIE UPDATE – Covid-19 Travel Ban-related NIEs Auto-extended for 12 Months from Approval

 

On July 6, 2021, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) announced that travel ban-related National Interest Exceptions (NIEs) issued in the last 12 months will be automatically extended for 12 months from the date of approval, and for multiple entries. The extension is only valid so long as the purpose for travel remains the same as the purpose under which the NIE was granted. This NIE extension applies to travelers located in the following locations: China, Iran, Brazil, South Africa, the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, Ireland, and India.

If You Have An Existing NIE

For those with existing NIEs, this extension applies retroactively from the date that your NIE was granted. Based on communications with various U.S. consular posts, it appears that no additional steps are needed to effectuate this extension, though we encourage each NIE recipient to confirm the extension process with the issuing consular post. The U.S. consulate in Frankfurt, Germany, has confirmed that its NIE recipients should re-print the NIE approval email from the U.S. consular post or reference the “NIE” annotation on the visa if issued with such an annotation. Please note, the 12-month and multiple entry extension is only valid so long as the purpose of your travel remains the same as the purpose for which the NIE was granted.

If You Do Not Have An NIE Yet 

For those who have not yet applied for or received initial NIE approval, the above extension would apply automatically from the date of your approval. This extension does not affect the NIE application or approval process. NIE applicants still cannot be located in the U.S. when applying, meaning those currently in the U.S. will still need to depart the U.S. before applying, as has been the case since the NIE program began. The NIE extension also does not affect the qualifications that the applicant must possess to receive NIE approval: vital support or executive direction to companies involved with U.S. critical infrastructure, vital support or executive direction for significant economic activity in the U.S., extraordinary humanitarian circumstances, medical or national security support, etc.

If you have any questions regarding the new NIE guidance, please contact our firm at immigration.bridgehouselaw@gmail.com. For those interested in updates on this new guidance, please subscribe to our newsletter. We will send updates through the newsletter as more information becomes available.  

Update Regarding International Travel

 

Update Regarding International Travel

           As the United States moves closer to lifting the travel ban and with many individuals hoping to begin traveling in and out of the country, it is crucial to remain up-to-date with the newest policies and regulations regarding visas. Staying informed about this ever-changing information will allow individuals to travel internationally to avoid encountering unforeseen problems that may hinder one’s plans. 

           Many speculate that within the year 2021, international travel to and from the United States will once again return to what we may remember as “normal.” However, given that combating the spread of COVID-19 is still a prominent issue, this version of “normal” may still seem relatively different. There are still a few noteworthy changes to keep an eye out for when planning for travel.202

Traveling to the United States

           Moving forward, when the travel ban in the United States is officially lifted, individuals traveling from countries that are currently under a Covid-19-related travel ban will no longer be required to obtain special, advance permission to enter the United States, such as a National Interest Exception. Additionally, demonstrating a basis for a travel ban exemption, such as being a spouse of a U.S. citizen, or being a parent of a minor child U.S. citizen, will no longer be required at that time.

            While many changes in travel policies are presumed to occur in the upcoming months, it is important to remember that United States embassies and consulates will continue to exercise caution about a return to “normal”. That being said, these embassies and consulates are currently addressing many, many requests for emergency appointments for individuals to obtain necessary visas. Unfortunately, given the nature of the pandemic and the influx of such requests, the majority of these emergency appointment requests are denied. However, making a general visa appointment at an embassy or consulate may be easier following the initial lowering of restrictions and the “re-opening” of regular or more regular consular processing. Currently, general visa interview appointments at many consular posts are scheduled for months from now – meaning visa renewal in the current environment and foreseeable future will be a challenge. Please plan far ahead if you plan to travel outside the United States to obtain a new visa or renew an expiring visa.

Re-entering the United States

           Regarding the United States’ policies about re-entry, much is still unknown and, more so, subject to change. The United States may require COVID-19 vaccination when returning to the country after international travel. Further, a negative COVID-19 test continues to be required for all individuals 2 years of age or older who are re-entering the country. 

           The impact COVID-19 has had on international travel is obvious, and because of the fact that some of these policies are more than likely to change in the upcoming weeks and months, it is important to stay up-to-date with the latest changes in travel requirements. 

           If you have questions regarding your immigration status or how to obtain or renew a visa, do not hesitate to contact our firm.

Updated US Travel Restrictions

 

State by state and International Travel Restrictions

The United States Department of State (DOS) recently lifted it's global “do not travel” advisory. Since travel restrictions have been decreased, this means that US non-essential workers can travel internationally to locations that are deemed “safe”. Naturally, not every country is deemed “safe”, and DOS is now ranking countries individually by levels 1-4 based on how each country is addressing COVID-19.

International Travel

If you do plan on traveling internationally, also remember that many places have a ban on American travelers, including the EU. Returning US travelers and others authorized to enter the US will be limited to certain airports for arrival from overseas. Those airports include:

• Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport - Georgia

• Boston-Logan International Airport - Massachusetts
• Chicago O’Hare International Airport - Illinois
• Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport - Texas
• Detroit Metropolitan Airport - Michigan
• Daniel K. Inouye International Airport - Hawaii
• Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport - Florida
• George Bush Intercontinental Airport - Texas
• John F. Kennedy International Airport - New York
• Los Angeles International Airport - California
• Miami International Airport - Florida
• Newark Liberty International Airport - New Jersey
• San Francisco International Airport - California
• Seattle-Tacoma International Airport - Washington
• Washington-Dulles International Airport - Virginia

State by State Travel

When traveling domestically, remember to recognize and adhere to each state’s rules. States have tried their best to balance controlling the outbreak of COVID-19 and reopening their economy, all to different degrees of success. Each state has its own ways of handling out-of-state travelers when screening for COVID-19. Some states, like New York, have very strict restrictions when traveling into the state from outside the state; others, like California, have no statewide travel restrictions. New York, for example, has created a list of several dozen “hot spot” US states – any travelers from or passing through those states may be subject to a mandatory quarantine period before being allowed to enter New York.

Strict States for outside travelers

Of the states listed with airports open for returning US travelers, many states require a similar 14-day self-quarantine period upon arriving in the state if from a state or country deemed “high risk”. Many of those states also have severe fines and even jail time for those who do not self-quarantine. Those places that require a 14-day quarantine include:

• Washington D.C.
• Hawaii
• Massachusetts (or show proof of a negative test taken within 72 hours)
• New Jersey (also travelers must fill out a survey)
• New York (police have checkpoints to make sure people are obeying the self-quarantine rules)

Lenient States for outside travelers

The remainder of the states with designated screening airports open for returning US travelers do not have statewide restrictions, though it may vary per city or county. For example, Illinois does not have any statewide quarantine rules for travelers, but in Chicago, travelers from “high-risk” states must self-quarantine for 14-days if they stay in the city for more than 24 hours.

For any additional information about travel restrictions or legal counseling, reach out to us via social media or at charlotte@bridgehouse.law

Read more of our blogs by clicking here.

Also, check out the full list of all state by state restrictions here.