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The Thai cabinet approved new measures to promote tourism and stimulate Thailand’s economy, including a new Destination Thailand Visa category. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Thai government is undertaking several new immigration initiatives designed to increase tourism and spur economic growth. During the most
Irish officials announced that Immigration Service Delivery will now have the primary responsibility of managing initial registrations and renewals for Irish immigration residence permits for persons residing in counties Cork and Limerick. Key Points: Effective July 8, first-time registration and renewal of Irish immigration residence permissions for applicants based in counties
The Department of State announced it will open six new passport agencies across the U.S. to meet growing demand. Key Points: The six new passport agencies equipped to provide services for urgent travel needs will be established in Salt Lake City, Utah; Kansas City, Missouri; Orlando,
President Biden announced plans for a new policy that would make certain undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens who are longtime residents eligible for a path to lawful permanent residency from within the U.S. and up to three years of parole and work authorization. The administration
Employers filing H-1B cap petitions for fiscal year 2025 are reminded that the filing period closes June 30. Key Points: Petitioners must file a petition for candidates who were selected in the H-1B lottery by June 30 in order for the petition to be considered. Only petitioners with selected registrations
Coalition for the American Dream published a report this week detailing the projected economic and societal costs of ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. Key Points: Coalition for the American Dream published the report days ahead of the 12th anniversary of the DACA program
The American Immigration Lawyers Association announced its newly elected officers at the 2024 AILA Annual Conference and installed Kelli Stump as AILA president and BAL’s Jeff Joseph as president-elect. Key Points: Kelli Stump is the association’s 78th president. She will serve for the 2024-25 term and
Indian nationals are now required to apply for a pre-approved entry permit to obtain a visa on arrival in the United Arab Emirates. Key Points: Indian nationals who hold valid status in the U.S., U.K. or EU are required to apply for a pre-approved entry permit to be granted a visitor
Changes to the Employment Act will go into effect on July 1. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Czech government previously announced changes to the Employment Act. Officials have now outlined details on the upcoming changes, including: A labor market test will no longer
The government of Sri Lanka has published regulations for a new permanent residence visa scheme. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, government officials have announced several policy updates recently that are designed to simplify the visa system and attract more investors and tourists. The government has
The Italian government clarified the requirements for the new digital nomad visa and issued important updates for the new online work permit application, family reunification and work rights for citizenship candidates. Key Points: The Italian government recently introduced the digital nomad visa, which allows third-country foreign
The U.S. State Department released the July Visa Bulletin, showing advancement in key employment-based categories. However, all countries under EB-3, excluding China and India, will retrogress by almost a year. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services confirmed that in July it
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 June 1, the department was adjudicating applications filed in May 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in December
The Department of Labor received more than 2,000 comments in response to its Request for Information on whether to revise its list of Schedule A job classifications that do not require permanent labor certification. Key Points: Schedule A has not been updated since 2004. Comments from
Swedish authorities have introduced a new pilot program for individuals from certain countries to have their passport checked digitally. Key Points: Students and workers from 22 countries and territories are the first to be eligible to use the Freja identification app to show their passports. The new passport check procedure is
President Biden announces a policy to protect undocumented spouses of U.S. citizens. The administration moves toward streamlined work visa processes for some DACA beneficiaries. And we sit down with the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s new president-elect, BAL’s Jeff Joseph, to survey the immigration
It is no exaggeration to say that the 2024 presidential election may have dramatic consequences on U.S. immigration. The Republican candidate, Former President Donald Trump, and the anticipated Democratic nominee, Vice President Kamala Harris, differ not only in their rhetoric about immigration but also in the policies their administrations pursued in
As we move into summer, many foreign national employees will be taking trips abroad for vacation, to visit family and possibly to renew their visas while outside of the country. While we continue to experience a general increase in visa appointments, an exciting improvement after the delays and lack of availability
U.S. business leaders tell BAL it has become easier to meet foreign talent needs. A new report examines the human and economic costs of ending DACA. And Lynden Melmed, the head of BAL’s government strategies team, joins us to discuss one organization’s vision