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  • European Union | Entry/Exit System update

    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

  • Slovakia | Legislation related to digitization approved

    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

  • Philippines | 2025 Annual Report

    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

  • United States | DHS announces permanent increase of EAD automatic extension period

    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

  • United States | PERM, prevailing wage processing updates as of Dec. 1, 2024

    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,

  • Israel | Electronic travel authorization system commencement date announced

    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 | Validity of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits automatically extended

    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

  • United States | State Department updates exchange visa skills list requirements

    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

  • United Kingdom | Grace period announced in eVisa transition

    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

  • China | Physical work permit cards eliminated

    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.

  • Malaysia | Projection of Expatriates for 2025 opens

    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

  • Ireland | New travel confirmation notice issued

    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

  • Switzerland | Work permit quotas set for 2025

    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:

  • Australia | Skills in Demand visa commencement date announced

    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

  • United States | FY 2025 H-1B cap reached

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced both the federally mandated H-1B visa regular cap and master’s cap had been reached for fiscal year 2025. This means the agency will not be selecting additional registrations entered into the lottery earlier this year. Key Points: USCIS has reached

  • United States | REMINDER: Healthcare coverage enrollment open for certain DACA recipients

    The special enrollment period for eligible Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients to apply for healthcare coverage through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Health Insurance Marketplace is currently open through Jan. 15, 2025. Key Points: Enrollment began Nov. 1, several months after the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)

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