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As the title of this video suggests, we are discussing primarily Fiancé and Marriage Visas from Laos. For the past, I think it is 2 years, we have had issues associated with processing visas for Lao Nationals either here in Thailand and especially up in Laos through the US Embassy in Laos and I think there is some very welcome news on that front.

This is from  la.usembassy.gov, so this is from the US Embassy in Laos and the announcement: Immigrant Visas. Important Note: Quoting directly: "The Secretary of State has authorized the lifting of most sanctions on U.S. Visa issuance to Lao citizens. The sanctions were imposed under U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) Section 243(d). As a result, the majority of Lao citizens who have applied or will apply for Non-Immigrant and Immigrant Visas to the United States will no longer be subject to INA 243(d) Visa sanctions.  Sanctions remain in place for certain senior officials of the Lao PDR Government pending further cooperation with the United States with respect to accepting Lao PDR Nationals designated for removal from the United States." So that is kind of a political issue, the thing about the senior officials. Let me just reread this: "As a result, the majority of Lao citizens who have applied or will apply for Non-Immigrant and Immigrant Visas to the United States will no longer be subject to INA 243(d) visa sanctions."

So essentially, the stoppage that was issued a couple of years ago has come to an end and I think that we can safely say unless there are some extenuating circumstances at play, those who are applying for or currently processing a K-1 Fiancé Visa, a K-3 Marriage Visa, a CR-1 Marriage Visa or an IR-1 Visa or an Immigrant Relative Visa for a Lao National especially processing through the US Embassy in Laos, I think it is safe to say that we are looking at smoother sailing ahead because there is no longer this sanction in place. It is now possible to continue Consular processing and presumably ultimately have a Visa issued to most Lao Nationals looking to go to the USA.