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The Kazakh government announced an agreement with Vietnam for a mutual visa-free travel policy. Key Points: Effective May 25, nationals from each country will be exempt from obtaining a visa to travel to the other country, provided they apply with an active national passport. Tourists will be permitted to stay in
The Australian government announced additional changes to its migration strategy. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Australian government released a migration strategy outlining key actions and new policy commitments to overhaul the current migration system. As part of that effort, the government
The State Department announced that 5.2 million nonimmigrant visas were issued worldwide in the first half of fiscal year 2024 — more than any previous year over the same period. Key Points: During the past six months, 30% of U.S. embassies and overseas consulates set all-time
The State Department published a final rule on May 13 that will allow third parties to attend certain applicant/requester appointments at U.S. embassies, passport agencies and centers overseas to offer assistance. Key Points: The third parties mentioned in the rule include, but are not limited
Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals recipients will be able to apply for healthcare coverage through certain federal programs pursuant to a final rule that takes effect Nov. 1. Key Points: The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services announced on May
The Italian government announced the list of documents required for the new digital nomad visa and a new online application process for non-quota intra-corporate work permit applications. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Italian government recently introduced a digital nomad visa that allows third-country foreign
Canadian officials announced initiatives to reduce backlogs and improve processing times, and updated their online tool to help new clients predict how long it will take to process a complete application. Key Points: Officials announced that they will encourage designated venture capital firms, angel investor groups and
Canadian officials announced a new policy that will allow Hong Kong permanent residence pathway applicants to extend their status and apply for new work permits while their permanent residence applications are pending. Key Points: Beginning May 27, open work permits will be available to individuals who
The Labor Department has posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests. PERM Processing: As of May 1, the department was adjudicating applications filed in April 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in December 2022
A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has asked the Department of Homeland Security for a written update on policies regarding NIL activities for foreign student athletes. Key Points: Since 2021, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) has maintained a policy allowing college athletes to monetize their name, image and likeness (NIL)
The government of Sri Lanka extended its visa-free entry policy for nationals from seven countries until May 31. Key Points: The government extended its visa-free travel policy for nationals from China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand. The application process is transitioning from the Electronic Travel Authorization system to the
Canadian officials announced new rules for international students who work off campus. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, officials announced an increase in the cost-of-living financial requirement for study permit applications Jan. 1. As part of that effort, the government also waived the 20-hour-per-week limit on
The U.S. State Department released the June Visa Bulletin, showing no advancement in most key employment-based categories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that in June it will use Final Action Dates to determine filing eligibility. India EB-3 advanced by one
The Department of Labor is accepting public input on whether to revise its Schedule A list of job classifications through May 13. Key Points: President Biden issued an Executive Order last year with several provisions directing federal agencies to streamline immigration procedures and help keep the
The Ukrainian government has suspended consular services for military-age male nationals living abroad. Key Points: The new measure follows a recent mobilization law adopted by the Ukrainian parliament. The affected individuals, male citizens ages 18 to 60, are currently unable to apply for passports or other travel documents, including renewals, at
Diversity Visa lottery results for DV-2025 applicants are now available on the State Department’s Entrant Status Check webpage. Key Points: To check their status online, individuals who entered the lottery will need to provide their entrant confirmation number, last name or family name and year of
Nonimmigrant visa issuance continued to climb in fiscal year 2023, surpassing pre-pandemic totals, according to recently published State Department statistics. According to the Report of the Visa Office 2023, the State Department issued a total of 10,438,327 nonimmigrant visas, up more
The State Department is on pace to issue a record number of nonimmigrant visas this year. DACA recipients can apply for federal healthcare coverage this fall. And BAL’s Tiffany Derentz and Brendan Kinne
Nonimmigrant visa issuance continues to rise. Diversity Visa results are now available. And how updates to the Department of Labor’s Schedule A occupation list could help the green card process for workers in critical industries. Get this news and more in the new episode