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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced Thursday that it had received enough petitions to reach the H-2B cap for returning workers with start dates from April 1 to May 14, 2024. Key Points: The 19,000 visas for returning workers were available under a
The European Council adopted a revision to the 2011 single-permit directive, paving the way for an improved single work and stay permit for non-EU nationals. Key Points: • The directive currently in place was designed to attract additional skills and talent to the EU to address shortcomings within the legal migration system.
The Romanian government announced updates to its EU Blue Card regulations, as well as changes to work permits, including extending validity periods. Key Points: The European Union issued a directive in 2021 that updated the existing EU Blue Card process, and Romania’s new regulations are intended to comply with that directive.
The U.S. State Department announced the suspension of routine visa services at the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince on April 15. Key Points: The U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince has suspended routine immigrant and nonimmigrant visa appointments until further notice and is only accepting expedited nonimmigrant visa appointments
The Labor Department has posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination requests. PERM Processing: As of March 31, the department was adjudicating applications filed in March 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in December 2022 and
The Italian government announced a new digital nomad visa that allows foreign nationals to perform highly skilled work in Italy either as a freelancer or as an employee/collaborator for a company outside of Italy. Key Points: The digital nomad visa allows third-country foreign nationals to reside in Italy and perform highly
The U.S. Embassy in Mexico City launched a program on March 20 allowing first-time B1/B2 visitor visa applicants to move appointments to an earlier date without additional fees. Key Points: Earlier appointment slots will be open throughout 2024 at no cost for first-time Mexican visitor visa
The Department of Homeland Security announced the extension and redesignation of Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status for 18 months, from June 13, 2024, to Dec. 12, 2025. Key Points: The extension will allow currently eligible Ethiopian TPS beneficiaries to retain TPS through Dec. 12, 2025, provided
The Australian government recently updated guidance for U.K. nationals and permanent residents, continues updating the core skills occupation list and clarified criteria for the skilled work regional visa (subclass 491). Key Points: The Department of Home Affairs recently confirmed that U.K. foreign nationals and permanent residents are now eligible for a
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today posted a Federal Register notice establishing procedures for Palestinians covered by Deferred Enforced Departure to apply for Employment Authorization Documents valid through Aug. 13, 2025. Key Points: President Biden issued a memorandum on DED
The U.S. State Department released the May Visa Bulletin on Tuesday, showing no advancement in key employment-based categories. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that in May it will use Final Action Dates to determine filing eligibility. Final Action Dates Movement: EB-1 China EB-1 will remain at
The Brazilian government announced that the visa requirement for nationals of Australia, Canada and the United States will now begin on April 10, 2025. Key Points: As previously reported, passport holders from Australia, Canada and the United States will soon be required to apply for an
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that qualifying Forms I-693, Report of Immigration Medical Examination and Vaccination Record, issued on or after Nov. 1, 2023, can be used indefinitely as proof of health. Key Points: New guidance states that any
The Mexican government announced that Peruvian nationals arriving for tourism or business will soon require a Mexican visa to enter the country. Key Points: Beginning April 20, Peruvian nationals must have a visa to enter Mexico for tourism or business purposes unless they: Have a
Canadian officials released a statement on finalized provincial and territorial allocations for the 2024 cap on international student permit applications. Key Points: The national cap on study permit applications addressing the rapid increase of international students in Canada was first
USCIS released a new fact sheet with data spanning fiscal years 2016-2024 that shows the progress made in reducing processing times. Key Points: According to the data, median processing times were significantly lower in the first six months of the 2024 fiscal year than in the
The Home Office provided further details on eVisa implementation and the minimum salary increase for skilled worker visas is now in effect. Key Points: Immigration officials provided additional information on the transition to the U.K. Visas and Immigration eVisa digital immigration system. The new eVisa will replace biometric residence permits, biometric
The U.S. State Department suspends visa services in Haiti. The U.S. Embassy in Mexico moves to reduce visa wait times. And BAL Senior Associate Steven Quezada discusses his series on immigration journeys to the U.S. Get this news and more in the new episode
Federal authorities increase the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services releases data showing its progress in reducing processing times. And a ruling out of Georgia draws the attention of the immigration law community. Get this news and