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EU member states’ ambassadors have agreed on a draft regulation that would let the EU suspend visa-free travel for countries whose citizens are exempt from visa obligations when traveling to the Schengen area. Key Points: Under the new mechanism, the EU would have the following new grounds to suspend the visa-free
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced this week that it will implement a streamlined process to provide Employment Authorization Documents to eligible refugees after they are admitted to the United States. Key Points: The new process was soft-launched last year on Dec. 10 following a successful trial period. The new process
Chinese officials announced the expansion of their unilateral visa-free entry policy to six additional countries: Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Key Points: The government has enacted visa-free treatment to travelers holding ordinary passports from the six aforementioned countries on a trial basis. From March 14 to Nov. 30, 2024,
The United Kingdom’s Migration Advisory Committee recently recommended that 21 roles be included on the new Immigration Salary List. The ISL is set to replace the U.K.’s Shortage Occupation List, which was the official list of skilled jobs for which workers are deemed to be
The Nigerian government announced the temporary suspension of the Expatriate Employment Levy on March 8, pending further consultation with stakeholders. Key Points: Full implementation was set to launch on March 15 through April 15, 2024. The decision to suspend the EEL followed a meeting with the
USCIS announced Friday it had received enough petitions to reach the H-2B cap for the second half of the current fiscal year. Key Points: March 7 was the final receipt date for new, cap-subject H-2B petitions requesting a start date in the second half of FY2024; petitions
The U.S. State Department released the April Visa Bulletin Friday, showing advancement in key employment-based categories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that in April it will use Final Action Dates to determine filing eligibility. Final Action Dates Movement: EB-1 China EB-1
A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit Friday that challenged a Biden administration program that allows a limited number of nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to enter the United States on humanitarian grounds. Key Points: In the fall of 2022, the Biden administration launched
The Nigerian government recently launched guidelines for the Expatriate Employment Levy initiative that applies to employers hiring foreign workers. Key Points: The EEL project was approved by the Federal Executive Council in May 2023 with a mandate that employers pay a levy for hiring foreign
Registration for H-1B cap petitions for fiscal year 2025 opened today. Key Points: H-1B registration opened at noon EST on March 6 and will run through noon EDT on March 22. During this time, petitioners for H-1B beneficiaries can use their U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
USCIS provided additional guidance Monday on a new H-1B registration passport/travel document requirement. Key Points: Under procedures included in a final rule that took effect Monday, March 4, USCIS will require registrants to provide valid passport or travel document information for each beneficiary. The passport or travel document provided must
The Ministry of Manpower announced that, as of March 1, work pass holders are no longer required to have COVID-19 vaccinations. Key Points: Prior to March 1, work passes were only issued after COVID-19 vaccination records were verified and updated with the National Immunisation Registry.
The minimum qualifying salary for Employment Pass applicants will be raised on Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Ministry of Manpower. Key Points: New EP applicants will have to earn a minimum of 5,600 Singaporean dollars (about US$4,170) a month, up from the current minimum
H-1B denial rates in fiscal year 2023 increased slightly from FY 2022, according to a National Foundation for American Policy analysis of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services data. Despite the increase, H-1B denial rates for FY 2023 still remain substantially lower than during the Trump administration when they peaked in FY
Canada has reimposed visa requirements for some Mexican nationals. Key Points: Under a change that took effect Thursday, Feb. 29, Mexican nationals traveling to Canada must obtain a visa unless they are traveling by air and: Hold a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa. Have held a Canadian visa in the past
A federal judge dismisses a lawsuit challenging a Biden administration immigration program. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announces it has reached the H-2B cap for the second half of the fiscal year. And an H-1B cap update with BAL Senior Associate Matt Dillinger. Get
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is poised to implement the biggest increase in immigration filing fees in years. BAL analysis indicates that larger companies could see fee increases of 115% to 175% once fees go up April 1. Small- and medium-sized companies will see their fees more than double. So
H-1B registration opens. Canada imposes a visa requirement on some travelers from Mexico. And a new study from the Cato Institute shows that just 3% of immigrant applicants for green cards will receive them in 2024. Get this news and more in the new
In light of ongoing uncertainties in the Permanent Labor Certification (PERM) green card process, many companies are seeking to diversify green card strategies for their employees. One increasingly common option for many companies is the national interest wavier (NIW) green card process. Historically, PERM has been the most common pathway for