Emami Litigation Class Member Notice
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Important Information Regarding Class-Wide Relief
The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California has granted relief to certain visa applicants denied under Presidential Proclamation 9645 (P.P. 9645). This includes a one-time, non-transferable fee credit for a new visa application and, for eligible individuals, prioritized visa appointments. The fee credit applies to any immigrant or nonimmigrant visa at any U.S. embassy or consulate. Relief begins August 12, 2024.
Eligibility
You may be eligible if you are a national of Iran, Libya, North Korea, Somalia, Syria, Venezuela, or Yemen; were denied a visa under P.P. 9645 between December 8, 2017, and January 20, 2021; and did not receive a waiver under P.P. 9645. Approximately 24,560 individuals may be eligible.
Ineligibility
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Contacting Class Members
Attorneys representing the class will attempt to contact eligible individuals using contact information provided to the Department of State during prior visa applications. They will not solicit money.
Steps to Claim Relief
1. Complete the DS-160 Application Form
Complete a DS-160 form (or use a previous one not already used for an appointment) at https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. Note your Application ID.
2. Obtain an Application Fee Credit and Schedule an Appointment
Beginning August 12, 2024, contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan to apply. Use the website contact form or email for routine NIV and IV questions to request information. Include “Emami Class Membership Verification Request” in your communication and provide information to verify your identity (details below).
Find contact information at https://www.usembassy.gov/.
3. Verified Emami Class Members
Upon verification, you will receive a fee waiver or credit to schedule an interview. The credit must be used within 365 days to schedule an appointment (the appointment itself may occur after the 365-day period). One rescheduling request within the 365 days is allowed; subsequent rescheduling follows standard embassy/consulate practices.
4. Prioritization of Consular Interviews
Prioritized appointments will be available for one year at select embassies and consulates (Abu Dhabi, Ankara, Beirut, Calgary, Dubai, Doha, Frankfurt, Halifax, Istanbul, Jeddah, Kuwait, London, Nicosia, Paris, Ottawa, Riyadh, Toronto, Tunis, Vancouver, and Yerevan).
5. Smaller Posts
At some locations, fees are collected on the interview day. Contact these embassies/consulates by August 12, 2025, to claim your fee-free application. A list of these locations is provided in the original document. Note that visa services are not currently available at all listed locations and this list may not be updated.
6. Form DS-5535
Bring Form DS-5535 if needed. Electronic submission after the interview is preferred for faster processing.
Immigrant Visa Applicants
Applicants refused immigrant visas after January 20, 2020, could restart without paying a new fee. Those refused between December 8, 2017, and January 19, 2020, are eligible for a one-time fee exemption (22 C.F.R. section 42.71(b)(3)). Contact the relevant immigrant visa unit to resume the application process.
Nonimmigrant Visa Applicants Now Seeking Immigrant Visas
Eligible individuals can request a fee waiver before August 2, 2025, by contacting the National Visa Center (NVC) at https://nvc.state.gov/inquiry.
Verification Process and Dispute Resolution
If verification fails, the case is referred for review. You'll receive a response within 21 business days. If you disagree with the determination, contact class counsel at www.waiversettlement.com.
For additional support, visit https://waiversettlement.com/.
Required Information for Verification
When contacting the embassy, consulate, or NVC, provide the following information from your previously refused application under P.P. 9645:
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