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In this week’s extended episode, special guest Stuart Anderson joins the BAL Immigration Report to discuss this year’s key developments in immigration policy--from H-1B denial rates and O-1 visa guidance to humanitarian parole programs and immigration rhetoric during the election. Stuart
With the 2024 election behind us and the inauguration set for January 20, 2025, now is the time for employers to take stock of their talent strategy and communications protocols to prepare for a second Trump administration. We are entering a challenging environment for immigration policy. Based on the experience of
Looking forward, the European Union is currently in the process of implementing two separate but interconnected systems that will soon have a tremendous impact on non-EU citizens traveling to most EU countries. Meanwhile, the United Kingdom is expanding its worldwide rollout of its new electronic travel authorization (ETA) system that
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Stacey Scorza assembles a panel of designated school officials and an executive in employer relations from Southern Methodist University (SMU) to discuss F-1 visa challenges and STEM OPT issues facing international students and employers. Plus,
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced updated policy guidance on applications submitted under the International Entrepreneur Rule. Key Points: USCIS updated its Policy Manual regarding the types of evidence that may support an application for a
The European Commission proposed a progressive start of operations for the new digital border Entry/Exit System (EES). Key Points: As BAL reported, the European Commission announced in October the implementation date for the EES would be further delayed. The proposal for
The Slovak government approved legislative changes related to the use of electronic services for foreign nationals in various situations. Key Points: The government approved legislation on the digitization of Electronic Communication with Foreigners processes. The new law will enter into force on Dec. 15, and eligible foreign nationals will be able
Philippine officials issued a reminder notice to certain foreign nationals to complete mandatory annual reporting between Jan. 1 and March 1, 2025. Key Points: All registered foreign nationals holding ACR I-Cards, except individuals on temporary visitor and tourist visas, are required to report in person to
The Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule which permanently increases the automatic extension period for certain renewal applicants with expiring Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Key Points: The final rule makes permanent the automatic extension of up to 540 days. The extension applies to
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 Dec. 1, 2024, the department was adjudicating PERM applications filed in September 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in December 2022 and earlier,
Israeli officials announced the Marom Electronic Travel Authorization — Israel (ETA-IL) will take effect on Jan. 1, 2025. Key Points: As BAL reported, the Israeli Ministry of Interior postponed the launch of the new electronic travel authorization system to give individuals
South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced that Zimbabwean nationals have been granted an automatic validity period through Nov. 28, 2025, on their exemption permits. Key Points: Zimbabwean nationals who were granted Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) have been granted automatic extensions of their exemptions. Existing ZEPs
The State Department announced an update to the Exchange Visitors Skills List, taking effect on Dec. 9, that removes multiple countries subject to the two-year residency requirement, including China and India. Key Points: The Skills List is a list of countries designated by the Secretary of
The government announced expired physical documentation will be accepted for international travel after Dec. 31 until March 2025 for visa holders making the transition to the new eVisa system. Key Points: The government stated that carriers will be allowed to accept Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) or
Chinese officials have integrated work permit cards with social security cards, eliminating the need for physical work permit cards. Key Points: Officials published a notice confirming the suspension of the management service system while updates were performed to integrate foreign work permits and social security cards.
The Malaysian government announced employers registered on the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online portal may now submit their Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) quota projections for 2025. Key Points: Employers can now submit their 2025 EP and PVP quota projections through the ESD online
Irish officials announced that certain individuals will be allowed to travel this holiday season on a recently expired Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card, effective through Jan. 31, 2025. Key Points: To qualify, an application to renew the IRP card must have been submitted to Immigration Services Delivery prior
The Swiss government has set work permit quotas for 2025, leaving them unchanged for EU/European Free Trade Association (EFTA), non-EU/EFTA and U.K. nationals. Quotas for 2025 are as follows: Permit type EU/EFTA nationals Non-EU/EFTA (excluding U.K.) nationals U.K. nationals B permits 500 4,500 2,100 L permits 3,000 4,000 1,400 Additional Information:
The Australian government announced the new Skills in Demand visa will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on Dec. 7. Key Points: In the announcement, officials also released the new Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) that will apply to