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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
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.
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
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
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:
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
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
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)
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is suspending certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant students from Lebanon who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current crisis in Lebanon, allowing eligible students to request employment authorization, work an increased number of
The Department of Homeland Security announced that Lebanon is designated for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, beginning on November 27, 2024, and ending on May 27, 2026. Key Points: Lebanese nationals, and individuals having no nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon, who have
Chinese officials announced a visa-free policy expansion to nine more countries as well as updates to the period of stay and scope of permitted activities. Key Points: Beginning Nov. 30, 2024, through Dec. 31, 2025, the visa exemption will be applied to ordinary passport holders from Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Japan, Latvia,
The U.K. government announced updates on the change of commercial partner for visa application centers, specifically where and when the new supplier will commence operations. Key Points: Visa application centers are operated by commercial partners (suppliers) on behalf of U.K. Visas and Immigration. As BAL
Finnish authorities announced that decision-making on certain residence permit applications will be paused Jan. 1-8, 2025. Key Points: The decision-making pause will specifically impact initial and extension residence permits for employed persons and seasonal work where the permit period is at least six months. Officials advised
The Philippine government is in the process of implementing a new e-Visa system, most recently expanding e-Visa capabilities for applicants for temporary visitor visas (9a visa) in India. Key Points: The Department of Foreign Affairs, through its Philippine Embassy and consulates in India, has implemented the
The Australian government announced a new scheme for graduates and early career professionals from India’s top universities. Key Points: The new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) visa allows eligible Indian nationals to live and work in Australia for up to two years. The application
The Department of Homeland Security announced the countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs for the next year. Key Points: DHS published a Federal Register notice listing the countries whose nationals are eligible for
The Canadian government announced new regulations impacting the International Student Program have now taken effect. Key Points: As BAL reported, officials announced new rules in May for international students who work off campus, waiving the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours
In the world of immigration, a Request for Evidence (RFE) is a notice issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requesting additional information or documentation for an immigration petition or application prior to rendering a final decision. While an RFE may be discouraging, it does not necessarily mean that
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Jeremy Fudge and Frieda Garcia celebrate the BAL Immigration Report’s 100th episode, and gratitude for BAL’s exceptional clients, historic milestones and growth over the last 44 years. Download the episode wherever you get your podcasts