Kathryn N. Karam is quoted in today's Houston Business Journal article on the Department of State's recent announcement that it will now extend the validity period for visitor visas issued to Chinese Nationals to ten years.

According to an article published on the Houston Business Journal's website, a report from the Department of Commerce indicates that the number of overseas visitors coming to Houston increased 22% from 2012 to 2013, the largest increase of any city in the United States. The report did not include visitors from Canada and Mexico.

The U.S. Embassy in Caracas posted a notice on its website that due to the expulsion of some consular officers and delays in visa issuance for other consular officials, it does not have sufficient staff to process first-time visitor visa applications except in "emergency situations." The alert noted that applicants may apply at other posts but must still prove sufficient ties to their home country.