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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.
A new USCIS fee schedule clears White House review. Companies are in the midst of H-1B contingency planning. And Bloomberg Law’s Andrew Kreighbaum joins us to discuss the calls for increased work permit options for migrants.Get this
The firm recognizes his contributions to providing exceptional legal expertise in corporate immigration law across industry sectors, including pharmaceutical, banking and finance. DALLAS and NEW YORK, Jan. 24, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BAL, the award-winning innovative corporate immigration law firm, announced today the promotion
A final H-1B rule is under White House review. The Supreme Court hears a pair of cases that could significantly affect immigration. And a look at the impact of immigration filing
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
The Department of Homeland Security will extend and redesignate Syria for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from April 1, 2024, through Sept. 30, 2025. Key Points: The extension will allow currently eligible Syrian TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through Sept. 30, 2025, provided they
The White House Office of Management and Budget has completed its review of a final H-1B modernization rule. Key Points: The text of the rule is not yet available, but OMB review is the final step in the regulatory process before publication. As BAL
The Home Office announced that increased fines for employers and landlords who employ or rent to illegal migrants will take effect Feb. 13. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the increased fines were previously announced in August 2023. The civil penalties for employers will triple, going
The State Department is poised to launch its H-1B domestic visa renewal pilot program at noon ET on Monday, Jan. 29. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the pilot will run from Jan. 29 to April 1, 2024, and will be open to
The Home Office announced that organizations will no longer need to renew their sponsor licenses beginning April 6. Key Points: Employers must obtain an authorization (“sponsor license”) from the Home Office in order to employ foreign workers. Organizations apply to the Home Office by completing an online application form and submitting
Indian authorities announced all Person of Indian Origin cards will remain valid until Dec. 31, 2024. Key Points: Indian immigration check posts will continue to consider all PIO cards, including handwritten cards, with a valid foreign passport to be acceptable for entry or exit until Dec.
The Maltese government launched a new specialist employee initiative program to attract and retain highly specialized non-EU nationals. Key Points: The SEI program offers faster processing times within 15 working days and a single permit for work and residence, simplifying the application process. To be eligible, applicants must have a signed
Canadian officials announced an intake cap on international student permit applications for a period of two years. Key Points: • The cap is expected to provide approximately 360,000 approved study permits in 2024, a decrease of 35% from 2023. • The temporary measure will be in place for
The White House Office of Management and Budget has finished its review of a final rule to raise U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services filing fees. • The text of the rule, including the final fee levels, is not yet available, but OMB review is the last step in the regulatory process
The Labor Department has posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination requests. PERM Processing: As of Dec. 31, the department was adjudicating applications filed in January 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in December 2022 and
The U.K. Parliament officially approved a new law increasing immigration health surcharge fees, effective Feb. 6. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the increases were announced in July and were originally expected to come into force on Jan. 16. The surcharge
The Mexican government requires companies that employ foreign nationals to update their corporate registration certificate after filing their taxes each year. Key Points: Companies employing foreign workers must update their CRC with the National Immigration Institute (INM) no later than April 30. The tax filing deadline is March 31; the corporate
The French government has launched a new Olympic consulate system to process visa applications for the Olympic and Paralympic games in 2024. Key Points: Nearly 70,000 participants are expected to apply for visas in connection with the Paris games, in addition to visitors seeking tourist visas. French authorities have begun operating
Qatari government officials announced that the validity period for Hayya cards has been extended until Feb. 24. Key Points: The last entry date will be Feb. 10. The extension applies to World Cup Hayya entry visas or entry visas approved through the online platform. The visas