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The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has confirmed that the local qualifying salary will be raised to Singaporean $1,600 (about US$1,190), effective July 1. Key Points: During the Budget 2024 speech presented to parliament on Feb. 16, Finance Minister Lawrence Wong
As previously announced, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will increase premium processing fees on Feb. 26. Under a rule published in December 2023, fees will increase as follows: Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker: Premium processing fees for all Form I-129 requests for classifications
The State Department’s H-1B domestic visa renewal pilot program’s final application slots open Feb. 26 for qualifying applicants. Key Points: The pilot program launched Jan. 29 and is open to a total of 20,000 H-1B visa holders whose previous H-1B visas were issued within certain
The Home Office announced a new visa extension that allows Ukrainians arriving after the Russian invasion to apply for an additional 18-month stay. Key Points: Three visa schemes were created to help Ukrainians following the Russian invasion in 2022: Homes for Ukraine, the Ukraine Family
Singapore plans to allow all foreign visitors to clear immigration using automated checkpoint lanes without the need for prior enrollment. Key Points The next generation of Singapore’s Automated Border Control System (ABCS) will allow all foreign visitors, regardless of nationality, to clear immigration by using automated
The Council of Ministers has approved an increase in the monthly minimum wage for this year to €1,134 (about US $1,214) in 14 payments. Key Points: The new minimum wage, which is expected to benefit an estimated 2.5 million workers, will be backdated to Jan. 1,
Philippine officials issued a notice that a medical clearance is no longer required for certain nationals and visa applications. Key Points: The submission of a Bureau of Quarantine medical clearance for visa applications of certain foreign nationals is now suspended. All nationals of registered countries listed
Effective Feb. 15, anyone with a visa-exempt nationality is allowed to remain in the Netherlands for 90 days after their regular residence permit expires. Key Points: Visa-exempt foreign nationals with residence permits will not be required to leave the Schengen area to apply for the 90-day
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services processed a record 10 million immigration cases last fiscal year and strengthened employment-based immigration, according to information the agency recently published. Key Points: USCIS received 10.9 million filings and completed more than 10 million pending cases, effectively reducing overall backlogs by
The U.S. State Department is urging U.S. citizens planning to travel to France for the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games to check their passports and renew them as soon as possible if necessary. The Olympics will take place from July 26 to Aug. 11
Beginning immediately, the U.S. will defer the removal of Palestinian residents for 18 months, except for individuals who: Have voluntarily returned to the Palestinian territories after Feb. 14, 2024. Have not consistently resided in the United States since Feb. 14, 2024. Are inadmissible under the Immigration and Nationality Act. Have
The Department of Labor has extended the deadline on a Request for Information on whether the agency should revise its list of Schedule A job classifications that do not require permanent labor certification. Key Points: The period for submitting comments has been extended to May
President Biden moves to allow certain Palestinians to stay in the U.S. Premium processing fees are about to go up. And why national interest waivers are increasingly common in the green card process. Get this news and more in the new episode of BAL’s
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security published a regulation to overhaul the H-1B lottery and move to a one-beneficiary, one-selection system rather than the current employer-focused process. This change has the backing of the business community and is designed to reduce incentives for bad actors to submit multiple
USCIS reduces its case backlog. The Department of Labor extends a deadline for input on its Schedule A job classification list. And how a pair of Supreme Court cases about the fishing industry could reshape immigration processes. Get this news and more in the
Many people hoped that the pace of layoffs in the United States would ease in 2024, but the results thus far have not been promising. While most attention has focused on the tech industry, troubling signs now indicate that other industries may follow. Already, several major retailers have announced significant