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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Lebanon who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Lebanon, allowing eligible students to request employment authorization, work an increased number of
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Lebanon is designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on November 27, 2024, and ending on May 27, 2026. Key Points: Lebanese nationals, and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon, who have
Chinese officials announced a visa-free policy expansion to nine more countries as well as updates to the period of stay and scope of permitted activities. Key Points: Beginning Nov. 30, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025, the visa exemption will be applied to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Japan, Latvia,
The U.K. government announced updates on the change of commercial partner for visa application centers, specifically where and when the new supplier will commence operations. Key Points: Visa application centers are operated by commercial partners (suppliers) on behalf of U.K. Visas and Immigration. As BAL
Finnish authorities announced that decision-making on certain residence permit applications will be paused Jan. 1-8, 2025. Key Points: The decision-making pause will specifically impact initial and extension residence permits for employed persons and seasonal work where the permit period is at least six months. Officials advised
The Philippine government is in the process of implementing a new e-Visa system, most recently expanding e-Visa capabilities for applicants for temporary visitor visas (9a visa) in India. Key Points: The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Philippine Embassy and consulates in India, has implemented the
The Australian government announced a new scheme for graduates and early career professionals from India’s top universities. Key Points: The new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) visa allows eligible Indian nationals to live and work in Australia for up to two years. The application
The Department of Homeland Security announced the countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for the next year. Key Points: DHS published a Federal Register notice listing the countries whose nationals are eligible for
The Canadian government announced new regulations impacting the International Student Program have now taken effect. Key Points: As BAL reported, officials announced new rules in May for international students who work off campus, waiving the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours
The Vietnamese government has announced its mandatory semiannual reporting deadline for foreign nationals will be Jan. 5, 2025. Key Points: Employers must report their use of foreign workers to Vietnamese authorities by Jan. 5, 2025. The report must include the use of foreign workers from Dec. 15, 2023, to Dec. 14,
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it plans to make nearly 65,000 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available for fiscal year (FY) 2025. Key Points: DHS, in consultation with the Department of Labor, expects to make an additional 64,716 H-2B visas available for FY
Spanish immigration authorities announced new criteria to obtain permits regulated by the Entrepreneur’s Act. Key Points: The new requirements will be applied to permits regulated by the Entrepreneur’s Act 14/2013, in relation to the qualification accreditation either through academic credentials or comparable experience. The new requirements
The U.S. State Department released the December Visa Bulletin. Filings for employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart for December 2024 which will remain the same as last month and shows no advancement for EB-1/EB-2/EB-3. Final Action Dates for India EB-2/EB-3 show
The Canadian government announced the opening of a new border crossing facility in Sainte-Aurélie. Key Points: The new modernized facilities at the Sainte-Aurélie border crossing are now in service. The new facilities are part of the Land Border Crossing Project, which
Japanese authorities announced that more eligible foreign nationals who wish to travel to Japan for tourism for a short-term period can now apply for an electronic visa (eVISA). Key Points: As BAL reported, the new eVISA system was introduced in July
In the world of immigration, a Request for Evidence (RFE) is a notice issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requesting additional information or documentation for an immigration petition or application prior to rendering a final decision. While an RFE may be discouraging, it does not necessarily mean that
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Jeremy Fudge and Frieda Garcia celebrate the BAL Immigration Report’s 100th episode, and gratitude for BAL’s exceptional clients, historic milestones and growth over the last 44 years. Download the episode wherever you get your podcasts