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  • United States | USCIS states EADs of Haitian TPS beneficiaries are valid through Feb. 3, 2026

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) shared an update that Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain beneficiaries of Haiti’s Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation are valid through Feb. 3, 2026. Key Points: On July 1, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

  • United States | Interview waiver eligibility update

    The Department of State updated the categories of applicants that may be eligible for a nonimmigrant visa interview waiver, effective Sept. 2, 2025. Key Points: All nonimmigrant visa applicants, including those under the age of 14 and over the age of 79, will generally require

  • United States | USCIS publishes July 22 edition of Form G-1055 immigration fee schedule

    Following the implementation of new immigration-related fees under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill (H.R. 1), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a new edition of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule on July 22 that updates filing and additional fees for

  • Ireland | Public consultation opens for employment permit occupations list

    Ireland has launched a public consultation to review the occupations eligible for employment permits, aiming to address skill shortages and support economic growth. Key Points: Stakeholders are invited to submit feedback on the Ineligible Occupations List and the Critical Skills Occupations List, which guide Ireland’s

  • Australia | New online services for paper-based applications on ImmiAccount

    Australia’s ImmiAccount now supports online services for Child, Other Family, Former Resident and New Zealand Citizen Family Relationship paper-based visa applications. Key Points: Similar to the update for Parent visa applications, applicants must still apply using a paper form. The

  • United States | DHS terminates Afghanistan TPS designation effective July 22

    The Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has terminated the designation of Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) with TPS benefits no longer in effect as of July 22, 2025. An order from the United States Court of Appeals

  • United States | OFLC officially phases out fax machines

    The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will permanently discontinue its fax services starting Sept. 1, 2025, as part of an ongoing digital modernization initiative to streamline document submission and communication processes. A list of the fax email addresses that will be discontinued can be found

  • United States | USCIS announces new immigration fees required under H.R. 1, effective July 22

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) posted an advance copy of a Federal Register Notice (FRN) implementing new immigration-related fees under the H.R. 1 Reconciliation Bill, a.k.a. the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (H.R. 1). The FRN is scheduled to be published July 22. In

  • Mexico | New system simplifies consular services in the US

    Foreign Secretary Juan Ramón de la Fuente announced the completion of Mexico’s consular service simplification process in the United States, including new technology to streamline processes. Key Points: A new appointment platform and Single Window are now available via the Mi Consulado portal, streamlining nearly

  • European Union | ETIAS fee has increased to 20 euros

    The European Commission announced that the European Travel Information and Authorization System (ETIAS) fee will be 20 euros, an increase from the previously listed 7 euros. Key Points: The fee increase aims to cover the operating costs of ETIAS and considers inflation rates and the

  • United States | USCIS G-1055 fee schedule form update

    USCIS recently published a new edition of Form G-1055, Fee Schedule, removing fee waiver eligibility for Form I-131 for certain nonimmigrants. Key Points: The new 07/14/25 form edition removes fee waiver eligibility for Form I-131, Application for Travel Documents, Parole Documents,

  • United States | USCIS receives enough petitions to reach FY 2026 H-1B cap

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services received enough petitions to reach the mandated 65,000 H-1B visa regular cap and the 20,000 H-1B visa master’s cap (the U.S. advanced degree exemption) for fiscal year (FY) 2026. Key Points: USCIS will continue to accept and process petitions otherwise exempt

  • United States | H-2B visa processing times as of July 12

    Update on applications received for requested date of need from April 1, 2025 (fiscal year (FY) 2025 second half of the visa cap): The Department of Labor reported that, as of July 12, a total of 8,893 cases were issued Final Decisions. Certified positions for this

  • United States | Senate confirms Joseph Edlow as USCIS director

    The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Joseph Edlow as director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on July 15. The 52-47 vote was divided along party lines. As USCIS director, Edlow will play a key role in advancing President Donald Trump’s immigration agenda, stating at his

  • Canada | 2025 PGP program invitations to be issued starting July 28

    Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will begin issuing invitations to apply under the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP) starting July 28, 2025. Key Points: As BAL reported, IRCC plans to accept up to 10,000 complete applications for sponsorship under

  • United States | USCIS provides Form I-9 guidance regarding EADs issued under 2023 Venezuela TPS designation

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services published guidance for employers regarding completion of the Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, for certain beneficiaries of the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Venezuela 2023 redesignation. Key Points: Beneficiaries of the TPS Venezuela 2023 redesignation who received certain TPS-related documentation on or

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