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According to the recent publication of the Spring 2024 regulatory agenda, the Biden administration has the H-1B modernization rule, adjustment of status proposal and seasonal/temporary worker regulations targeted for publication by the end of 2024. The next step toward Schedule A reform will occur this
New Zealand announced a policy change for certain Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders who want to bring family to New Zealand. Key Points: Individuals in roles at Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) levels 4 and 5 without a pathway to residency are no longer able to
Indian authorities announced the opening of a new Fast Track Immigration — Trusted Traveler Program (FTI-TTP) for Indian nationals and foreign nationals holding Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards. Key Points: FTI-TTP allows OCI cardholders to utilize e-gates and bypass regular immigration lines free of charge
The Irish government has signed the Employment Permits Act 2024 into law, bringing new changes to the employment permit system. Key Points: The new act, signed into law on June 25, aims to consolidate and modernize existing law on the employment permit system within the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The U.S. State Department released the August Visa Bulletin, showing that most key employment categories remained the same, with only India advancing under EB-2 and EB-3. Final Action Dates Movement: EB-1 China EB-1 will remain the same. India EB-1 will remain the same. All other countries under
The Australian government announced an increase in visa application fees for most visa subclasses, effective July 1. Key Points: The updated fee schedule has been published; fees increased to reflect the cost of processing applications. Each year, indexation is applied to application fees based on the consumer price index. The new
The Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from Sept. 4, 2024, through Mar. 3, 2026. Key Points: Existing Yemen nationals who wish to extend their TPS status through March 3, 2026, must re-register during
South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs extended the temporary concession for certain visa and waiver applications to Dec. 31, 2024. Key Points: Under the previous extension, individuals with pending visa or waiver applications were permitted to stay in South Africa through June 30, 2024. Individuals with
Danish immigration authorities published the new Positive Lists for professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. Key Points: The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) publishes the Positive Lists of professions where there is a regional or national shortage of qualified professionals. Individuals who have been offered
The Labor Department has posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests. PERM Processing Times: As of July 1, the department was adjudicating applications filed in June 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in December
The Philippine government has created a new online system for tourists who wish to extend their stay beyond the initial period granted on their tourist visa. Key Points: The authorized maximum period of stay granted for all temporary visitor visas is 59 days. Generally, an individual with a 9a entry visa
The Australian government extended the grace period for job transitions for holders of certain skill visas. 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. Officials are updating visa
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 6-3 in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo, overruling the Chevron case precedent that was the issue before the court. The majority opinion held that, “he Administrative Procedure Act requires courts to exercise their independent judgment in deciding whether an agency
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit reversed district court decisions ordering the Department of State to reserve and adjudicate diversity visa cases from the DV-2020 and DV-2021 program years. Key Points: The D.C. appellate court issued its opinion on June 25,
BAL was named one of the most diverse law firms in the United States by The American Lawyer on its 2024 Diversity Scorecard for Minority Representation. BAL ranked No. 3 out of 208 law firms included in the report. More than 55% of BAL attorneys are racially or ethnically diverse, including 62%
BAL continued its streak of success in recruiting and promoting women in the legal profession, earning No. 1 on the Women in Law Scorecard for the sixth year running. “This streak of No. 1 rankings is well-deserved recognition of BAL’s ongoing, strong support of women in the legal profession,” said Frieda
In this week’s spotlight, BAL’s Josiah Curtis and Shane Andrews discuss hot topics from this year’s SHRM conference, from a potential H-1B second lottery to Kelly Clarkson. Top immigration news clips include the Supreme Court’s overturn of the Chevron doctrine