U.S. visa applications can be frustrating, especially when encountering legal hurdles. Fortunately, the U.S. State Department’s LegalNet service is available to address legal questions about visa cases. This post outlines when and how to use LegalNet based on the guidelines provided in 9 FAM 103.4.
What is LegalNet?
LegalNet, operated by the Office of the Legal Adviser for Consular Affairs (L/CA), is an email service for case-specific legal inquiries concerning U.S. visas. It’s designed to streamline the review of legal issues and ensure efficient and direct communication on complex legal matters related to visa applications.
When to Contact LegalNet
LegalNet should be your point of contact in the following scenarios:
- Unresolved Inquiries: If you’ve contacted the visa post twice and haven’t received a final response within 30 days since your last inquiry.
- Disagreement with Visa Decisions: If you believe there is a legal error in the final decision regarding your visa application.
- Specific Visa Categories: Queries specific to T visas, U visas, Diversity visas, or adoption visas, as well as cases involving the Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) or the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA).
How to Submit an Inquiry to LegalNet
For your inquiry to be considered by LegalNet, you must follow specific submission guidelines:
- Email Subject Line: Include the applicant’s full name, visa post, case number, and relevant legal statute or regulation.
- Email Body: Provide detailed information, including the applicant’s full name, date and place of birth, visa classification, application location, and a summary of the legal issue.
- Attachments: Attach all prior correspondence with the visa post and, if a representative, a signed G-28 form submits the inquiry.
What Not to Send to LegalNet
LegalNet does not handle general, speculative, or status update inquiries. It also won’t respond to requests about visa appointment scheduling, visa revocations, or cases still in the processing stages that don’t fit the specified categories.
Response Expectations from LegalNet
After submitting your inquiry, you should receive an acknowledgment within seven business days. The substantive response time varies depending on the query’s complexity and the information’s completeness. If no response is received within 30 days, a follow-up email is recommended.
Conclusion
LegalNet is a valuable resource for addressing legal questions in specific, complex U.S. visa cases. By understanding when and how to engage in this service, applicants and their representatives can more effectively navigate the legal landscape of U.S. immigration processes. For a LegalNet inquiry, schedule a consultation with one of our experienced immigration lawyers.
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