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The Hong Kong government announced the opening of a new Talent Engage office in support of its mission to attract and retain high-skilled foreign talent. Key Points: • Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki stated that "our HKTE office will launch publicity, and offer
Irish officials announced that certain individuals will be allowed to travel this holiday season on a recently expired Irish Residence Permit card, effective through Jan. 31, 2024. Key Points: To qualify, an application to renew the IRP card must have been submitted to Immigration Services Delivery
The Vietnamese government recently introduced a new labor market testing requirement for companies requesting approval for foreign labor. Key Points: Companies will be required to complete a job posting on one of the national or provincial dedicated employment service center websites. Vietnamese officials issued a decree on Sept. 18
Chinese officials announced the expansion of its unilateral visa-free policy to six countries: France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Spain. Key Points: The new policy will be enacted on a trial basis and involve extending visa-free treatment to travelers holding ordinary passports from the six countries. From Dec. 1, 2023,
Chinese officials announced new visa policies for foreign residents of Macao. Key Points: Foreign residents of Macao are now eligible for extended multiple-entry visas for up to five years for permanent residents and two years for non-permanent residents. The revised regulations also allow foreign professional employees to apply for multiple-entry visas
Ghanaian officials announced that travelers can obtain a visa-on-arrival at all ports of entry from Dec. 1, 2023, until Jan. 15, 2024. Key Points: Visitors arriving in Ghana through Jan. 15, 2024, will be admitted without pre-approval. Authorities will admit travelers and grant a 30-day single-entry visa upon arrival at an
The Labor Department has posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination requests. PERM Processing: As of Nov. 30, the department was adjudicating applications filed in December 2022 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in August 2022 and
With the winter holidays approaching, many foreign national employees are planning to visit family abroad, vacation overseas and perhaps renew their visas while out of the country. Here are a few key reminders as we approach the holiday travel season: Travelers should be sure to check their passports and visas. Travelers
The Home Office announced a plan to cut net migration to the United Kingdom next year by 300,000 people. Key Points: The measures will cut immigration by reducing the high number of dependents coming to the U.K. and increasing the minimum salaries required for overseas workers and
Peru’s government enacted legislation introducing a resident visa for digital nomads on Nov. 14. Key Points: The decree, published in El Peruano Official Gazette, amends the Migration Law to allow foreign nationals who work subordinately for a company outside Peru to apply for a resident visa.
Dutch officials published the 2024 salary thresholds for highly skilled migrants and key personnel of intra-corporate transfers as well as EU Blue Card holders and recent graduates. Key Points: Effective Jan. 1, 2024, individuals who seek to apply for the following categories must show proof that their monthly income equals or
The Brazilian government introduced a new visa application portal for Australian, Canadian and U.S. nationals. Key Points: Passport holders from Australia, Canada and the United States will require an eVisa to enter Brazil as of Jan. 10, 2024. The eVisa application process can be completed on this
The U.S. State Department issued more than 10.4 million nonimmigrant visas last fiscal year, the most since 2015 and nearly a record. This figure represents a significant increase over the roughly 6.8 million nonimmigrant visas issued in the 2022 fiscal year and even eclipsed the number
Australia’s Department of Home Affairs has updated the application process for the partner subclass 309 and 820 visas and the temporary graduate 485 subclass visa. Key Points: Partner subclass 309 and 820 applicants can now be in or outside Australia when their temporary visa application is granted.
The government of Portugal announced that immigration documents or visas that expire on or after Nov. 10 will be accepted until June 30, 2024. Key Points: Proof that a renewal appointment has been scheduled is required for documents to still be accepted under the same terms beyond the current validity. The
Swedish immigration authorities advised that the fast-track work permit processing scheme will close on Dec. 15. Key Points: Employers that are certified operators with the Swedish Migration Agency qualify for the fast-track scheme. This process provides faster processing for work permit applications (10 working days for
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced a new policy now granting visa-free entry for Chinese and Indian nationals for stays of up to 30 days. Key Points: Malaysia’s Home Affairs Ministry clarified that the visa exemption for Chinese and Indian nationals will be effective until Dec. 31, 2024. Malaysia recorded a
The government of Portugal announced the transition of immigration responsibilities from the Immigration and Border Service (SEF) to the Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum. Key Points: AIMA will succeed SEF and the Office of the High Commissioner for Migration in its administrative powers in migration
Introduction Noncitizens may be granted U.S. permanent resident status in one of two ways: (1) by applying for and receiving an immigrant visa, and then applying for and being granted admission to the United States as a lawful permanent resident (LPR),
The State Department’s domestic visa renewal pilot program takes shape. Foreign nationals prepare for a busy holiday travel season. And a look at how the Biden administration’s approach to supplemental H-2B visa allocations are changing employer strategies. Get this news and more in the