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Swedish judicial authorities have ruled that individuals may now qualify for a permanent resident permit with 12 months, instead of 18 months, of employment. Key Points: The Swedish Migration Court of Appeal determined in a December 2023 decision that permanent residence permits should be interpreted with an income requirement of a
The Brazilian government announced a 7% increase to the minimum wage. Key Points: The new base minimum wage will rise to BRL$1,412 (about US$282), an increase from the previous base minimum wage of BRL$1,320. The adjustment considers the variation in inflation from the previous year and
The Kazakhstani government announced the new 2024 foreign worker quotas for all work categories and regions. Key Points: The permit quota for attracting foreign workers is divided into categories: 906 for managers and their deputies 5,054 for heads of structural divisions 10,786 for specialists 2,888 for
BAL joined a group of more than 50 top U.S. companies this week in signing a friend-of-the-court brief in support of protecting the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. The brief was filed in the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in the ongoing litigation challenging DACA.
The German government announced that Israeli nationals can remain in the country until April 26, 2024, without applying for a residence permit or an extension of their visa-free stay. Key Points: Israeli nationals are now permitted to stay in Germany without applying for a residence permit
BAL updated its USCIS Fee Calculator following the posting this week of a final rule to increase immigration filing fees. Key Points: The new fees are set to take effect April 1 and represent the most significant increase to immigration
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced this week that H-1B cap registration will open March 6. Key Points: The registration window runs from noon EST on March 6 through noon EDT on March 22. During this time, petitioners can use their USCIS online accounts to
The United Kingdom’s Electronic Travel Authorization pilot program is available to nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the ETA pilot program was originally launched Oct. 25, 2023, for
Finnish authorities announced the extension of Ukrainian residence permits granted on the basis of temporary protection until March 4, 2025. Key Points: The European Council agreed to extend the temporary protection directive for Ukrainian nationals fleeing the Russian invasion until at least March 4, 2025, and
Singaporean officials announced the agreement with China for a 30-day mutual visa exemption policy will go into effect on Feb. 9. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the reciprocal visa exemption arrangement was announced in December. Effective Feb. 9, holders of
The Home Office announced dates for when new minimum wage thresholds for foreign worker visas will come into force. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Home Office announced a plan to cut net migration by 300,000 people in December by reducing the number of dependents
The Department of Homeland Security posted a pair of final regulations Tuesday, one that will increase U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services filing fees and another that will overhaul the H-1B selection process. Key Points: USCIS fee rule. Under the final USCIS fee rule, immigration filing fees will see their
Chinese officials announced additional measures aimed at simplifying the process for foreign nationals seeking to visit China. Key Points: The following measures are designed to make business activities, education and tourist travel more accessible to foreign nationals: Relaxed conditions for foreign nationals applying for port visas.
Australian authorities introduced a new permanent resident visa program, the Pacific engagement visa, for nationals of participating Pacific island countries and Timor-Leste. Key Points: The new permanent resident visa program will fall under subclass 192. It will provide 3,000 citizens of participating Pacific island countries and
The government of Turkey introduced visa-free travel for nationals of Bahrain, Canada, Oman, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the United States. Key Points: Foreign nationals of these countries will be permitted a visa-free stay of 90 days within any 180-day period for business purposes. Officials confirmed that the initiative
The Hungarian government announced a cap on work and residence permits for foreign nationals in 2024. Key Points: Only up to 65,000 guest worker permits and employment residence permits will be issued in 2024. The projected number of available permits is down from 81,000 in the
Canadian officials announced changes to eligibility and validity periods for the post-graduation work permit program. Key Points: Starting Sept. 1, international students will no longer be eligible for a post-graduation work permit upon graduation if they are part of a curriculum licensing arrangement study program. Graduates
On Jan. 30, the Department of Homeland Security published the long-anticipated and final U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fee rule. Under the final rule, immigration filing fees will see their most dramatic increases in years. The new fee schedule is set to take effect April 1, 2024. We’re breaking down
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announces that H-1B registration will open March 6. The State Department kicks off its domestic visa renewal pilot. And the government publishes two regulations with big implications for immigration programs. Get this news and more in the new
BAL is honored to be named to the 2024 U.S. News and World Report Best Companies to Work For: Law Firms list. We are proud to be among the 344 U.S. law firms with high scores in six key factors important to job seekers. See our listing.