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The Emirati government has provided additional details on the new Gulf Cooperation Council tourist visa as well as announced a new gaming visa to boost tourism. Key Points: The new tourist visa will be called the GCC Grand Tours visa and will be available by the end of 2024. The visa
The Thai cabinet approved an extension of the visa-free policy that allows Indian and Taiwanese tourists to enter Thailand for 30 days without a visa. Key Points: The extension is effective from May 11, 2024, to Nov. 11, 2024. The Immigration Bureau stated that visa holders are allowed an extension for
The Canadian government has introduced legislation that would extend citizenship by descent beyond the first generation. Key Points: The proposed policy update would automatically confer Canadian citizenship to persons born abroad to a Canadian parent who is also born abroad. This legislation would also extend a direct grant of citizenship to
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services recently announced the trial launch of E-Verify+, an upcoming service that integrates Form I-9 with the E-Verify employment eligibility verification process. Key Points: The E-Verify+ portal allows the employee to directly input their personal information and documentation, which the employer can
The Australian government announced that the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold will increase from 70,000 Australian dollars to AU$73,150 (about US$48,600), effective July 1. Key Points: New nomination applications will need to meet the new TSMIT or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher. Existing visa holders and nominations filed
The mandatory semiannual reporting deadline for foreign national workers is July 5. Key Points: Employers must report their use of foreign workers to Vietnamese authorities by July 5. The report must include the use of foreign workers from Dec. 15, 2023, to June 14, 2024. Violations of the established reporting requirement
The European Commission has announced a 12% global increase to the short-stay Schengen visa fees, effective June 11. Key Points: The European Commission stated the new Schengen visa fee will be 90 euros (about US$98) for adults and 45 euros for children aged 6 to below
A study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research found that immigrants contribute disproportionately to entrepreneurship in many countries and are strongly linked to economic growth and innovation. Key Points: New research conducted by economists William R. Kerr, Saheel A. Chodavadia, Sari Pekkala Kerr
Members of the American Immigration Lawyers Association sent a letter to the Biden administration recommending that Temporary Protect Status for Haitians be extended and redesignated, among other immigration actions. Key Points: AILA members urged the Biden administration to protect Haitian nationals impacted by the instability and
The German government’s opportunity card will come into effect on June 1. Key Points: The new temporary residence permit for skilled workers is an important part of the skilled immigration act and allows foreign nationals to obtain employment without having an employment contract before entering Germany.
The Australian government released the federal budget for 2024-25, reaffirming the migration strategy and introducing several other key initiatives and changes to immigration policies. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Australian government released a migration strategy outlining key actions and
The State Department’s global visa wait times for Paris continue to grow and substantial visa processing delays are expected through mid-September due to the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games and D-Day 80th anniversary celebrations. Key Points: The Olympics will take place in Paris from July
The U.S. Embassy Lisbon announced that Portuguese nationals can apply for E-1 and E-2 visas under the fully implemented AMIGOS Act. Key Points: The Advancing Mutual Interests and Growing Our Success (AMIGOS) Act grants Portuguese citizens E-1 and E-2 visa eligibility
Singaporean officials announced that updates to salary benchmarks as part of the first round of annual updates to the COMPASS criteria will be postponed to July 2024. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, candidates need to pass the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) in addition to
Earlier this week, USCIS posted a reminder to foreign nationals to consult the detailed guidance it has made available on its website. USCIS lists options available for nonimmigrant workers who have been laid off, clarifying that leaving the country within 60 days is not the
Irish officials announced that eligible spouses and partners of certain employment permit holders will now be granted automatic employment eligibility without the need for a separate permit. Key Points: The Minister for Justice announced that eligible spouses and partners of individuals in the following categories will
The Czech government announced changes to the Employment Act, effective July 1. Key Points: The process changes relate to job vacancy reporting and labor market testing. Effective July 1, jobs filled by highly qualified Blue Card holders will no longer require a labor market test as part of the employee card
Business groups push for easier green card processes. A college basketball star makes her WNBA debut after visa delays. And how changes to immigration rules could help solve labor shortages in the hospitality industry. Get this news and more in the special extended episode
The State Department expects significant delays in visa processing in France. Advocates call for a legislative solution for DACA. And with graduation season upon us, BAL Senior Associate Chad Li discusses student visa trends. Get this news and more in the special extended episode of BAL’s podcast, the