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Irish officials announced that Immigration Service Delivery will now have the primary responsibility of managing initial registrations and renewals for Irish immigration residence permits. Key Points: Effective April 8, first-time registration and renewals of Irish immigration residence permissions for applicants based in counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath
Irish officials announced that Stamp 1 CSEP holders or Stamp 1H permission holders are now eligible for a Stamp 4 upgrade upon completion of 21 months from the date of commencement of employment. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, Immigration Delivery
The Australian government has begun the rollout of certain policies announced as part of the migration strategy. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Australian government released the latest migration strategy outlining key actions and new policy commitments to overhaul the
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services revised Form N-400 to provide a third gender option, “X.” Key Points: “X” is defined as “another gender identity.” The April 1 edition of Form N-400 will be the first USCIS form to include the X gender option, which will be
Danish immigration authorities released the updated income statistics that will apply to applications submitted after April 1. Key Points: An applicant’s salary and terms of employment must correspond to Danish standards to be granted a residence and work permit for both first-time and extension applications. Danish
The German government announced the passage of a new act modernizing German citizenship law, which will go into effect in June. Key Points: The new act reduces the minimum period of residence required for naturalization to five years. Previously, an individual had to live in Germany
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has opened the 90-day filing period for petitioners whose registrations were selected in this year’s H-1B lottery. Key Points: The H-1B registration period closed Monday, March 25, and USCIS subsequently completed the random selection process for the H-1B master’s and general cap. The
The Taiwanese government announced several changes to immigration policy, effective March 1. Key Points: Foreign nationals may now apply for an extension of their visitor visa at the National Immigration Agency for a fee of 300 New Taiwan dollars (about US$9.39), provided that they were originally
Effective April 1, Israel’s minimum monthly salary will be updated to 5,880 NIS (about US$1,600) gross per month. Key Points: • The new minimum monthly salary will apply to foreign nationals employed in short-term employment authorization programs, as well as to 2(a)(5) asylum and protection seekers and general B-1 visa holders. • Employers
The Council of Ministers approved an increase in the monthly minimum wage for this year to €1,134 (about US$1,214) in 14 payments. Key Points: The new minimum wage, which is expected to benefit an estimated 2.5 million workers, will be backdated to Jan. 1, 2024. The
Dutch authorities have updated the document retention requirements for recognized sponsors employing certain highly skilled migrants. Key Points: Recognized sponsors are currently required to retain pay slips and diploma copies for highly skilled migrants who were subject to reduced salary thresholds for five years after their
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has begun sending H-1B cap selection notices to myUSCIS accounts and will continue doing so over the next few days, the agency said Thursday. The initial registration submission period for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season closed at noon EDT on Monday, March 25.
A federal judge denied a motion to halt the implementation of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fee increases Friday. This means the fee increases will take effect as scheduled on Monday, April 1. Key Points: The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on Jan. 31 to increase USCIS filing
The Home Office published a statement of changes providing further details and additional updates to immigration rules intended to reduce net migration. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Home Office announced a plan in December to cut net migration by
Canadian officials announced upcoming changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker program as part of an effort to reduce the number of temporary residents in Canada. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Canadian government has recently announced reforms to raise the
A regulation that will increase U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services filing fees, change premium processing time frames and require petitioners to use new versions of commonly used forms is set to take effect Monday, April 1. Key Points: Base fee increases. Immigration filing fees will increase significantly. For example, the fee
The Department of Homeland Security has announced the extension and redesignation of Myanmar for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from May 26, 2024, to Nov. 25, 2025. Key Points: The TPS extension will allow currently eligible TPS beneficiaries from Myanmar to retain TPS through Nov. 25, 2025, provided they continue
It’s that time of year again for employers planning to secure nonimmigrant talent. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services conducted the H-1B lottery last week to determine which registrations will be eligible to file petitions. Although the data on this year’s lottery selection rates is not yet available, the good news is
H-1B registration has closed and petition filing begins next week. The government opens an H-2B cap for returning workers. And a look at how employers have been preparing for major USCIS filing fee increases. Get this news and more in the new episode of