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Japan authorities announced that 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: Effective July 23, the new eVISA system is available to foreign nationals
The Australian government announced an increased validity period for business visitor visas for nationals from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and Timor-Leste. Key Points: The business visitor visa validity period increased to five years, up from the previous three years, and applies to applications filed after April 1. Business
The Department of Homeland Security announced plans to amend the STEM Designated Degree Program List to add environmental/natural resource economics as a new field of study. Key Points: The STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) Designated Degree Program List determines which F-1 students are eligible for
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced further details about the Biden administration policy offering parole in place for certain noncitizen spouses of U.S. citizens. Key Points: The Department of Homeland Security continues establishing a process to evaluate case-by-case requests for
The Department of Homeland Security will extend and redesignate Somalia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from Sept. 18, 2024, through March 17, 2026. Key Points: The extension will allow currently eligible Somalian TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through March 17, 2026, provided they continue
The State Department announced clarifications to current consular guidance on recommending that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) grant ineligibility waivers to certain Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipients and other college graduates. Key Points: The guidance clarifications explain when consular officers should recommend
The Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratization provided a reminder to employers of 50 or more workers to meet their Emiratization targets for the first half of 2024, as compliance monitoring began as of July 1. Key Points: Noncompliant employers will face a 42,000 AED (about US$11,400) fine for each Emirati
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services provided updated guidance and a detailed FAQ on the International Entrepreneur Rule (IER). Key Points: IER grants foreign national entrepreneurs who have a startup business and meet certain qualifications a period of stay, or parole, of
Chinese officials announced the expansion of the country’s visa-free policy to nationals of Australia, New Zealand and Poland. Key Points: Nationals of these countries with ordinary passports may enter visa-free for business, tourism, family visits or transit purposes for up to 15 days effective July 1
The Indian government has opened an Indian Visa Application Center (IVAC) in Seattle. Key Points: The new IVAC in Seattle offers consular services including visa, passport, Overseas Citizen of India card and other travel- and immigration-related appointments and services. An IVAC facility accepting drop-off consular applications
Finnish authorities have introduced an automated post-decision monitoring system for specialist residence permits. Key Points: The new system verifies whether the holder of a specialist residence permit still meets the requirements for the permit, including whether the salary meets the income threshold as well as maintaining work duties and education requirements.
The government of Portugal again extended the validity of immigration documents and visas, now to June 30, 2025. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the government announced a similar extension last year. The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) said that 410,000 immigrant cases are
The number of migrants seeking to enter the U.S. at the Mexico border reached historic levels in 2023, with a record 2.5 million land border encounters with individuals lacking proper authorization to enter the U.S. In addition, a less publicized situation occurring within our borders is a shortage of workers
In this week’s episode, we examine a recent H-2A report, discuss the new Farmworker’s Protection Rule and outline the Biden administration’s Spring regulatory agenda updates. We also kick off our Olympics-focused series with a look at what it takes