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The U.S. State Department released the February Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart, which will remain the same as January except for China and India. Final Action
The Department of Homeland Security and the State Department announced the designation of Romania as a participating country in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Key Points: The designation was awarded because Romania demonstrated a “significant whole-of-government effort” to meet all program requirements, which included: Entering into
The Canadian government announced pools for the 2025 International Experience Canada (IEC) season are now open. Key Points: The IEC program allows international youth aged 18 to 35 (18 to 30 in some countries) from over 30 eligible countries the opportunity to travel and work in
Irish officials announced that Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) will now have the primary responsibility of managing all initial Irish immigration residence permissions for persons residing in all counties. Key Points: As BAL reported, ISD recently took over primary responsibility for managing
Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced the extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months each for El Salvador, Sudan, Ukraine and Venezuela. Key Points: Regarding El Salvador’s
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the cap for the additional 20,716 H-2B visas made available for returning workers for the first half of fiscal year 2025 with start dates on or before March 31, 2025. Key Points: The cap was established under the Department of Homeland Security
The Department of Homeland Security announced a final rule that permanently increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) that will become effective on Jan. 13, 2025. Key Points: The final rule permanently increases the automatic extension period for employment authorization
On Jan. 8, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued policy manual guidance to clarify how it evaluates evidence to determine O-1 visa eligibility, including adding examples of evidence for individuals in critical and emerging technologies. Key Points: The O-1 nonimmigrant visa is intended for individuals
Japanese authorities are raising key immigration application fees as well as extending the stay duration for the startup visa under the designated activities category. Key Points: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a proposal to revise various immigration fees. Travelers from
Taiwanese authorities launched a new visa program for digital nomads, allowing eligible foreign nationals the ability to live and work remotely in Taiwan for up to six months. Key Points: Only nationals from visa-exempt countries are eligible for the digital nomad visitor visa.
The Organic Act 1/2025 has been published in Spain’s Official State Gazette, confirming the termination of the golden visa program, effective April 3. Key Points: The legislation introduces amendments to Articles 63 through 67 of the Entrepreneur’s Act 14/2013, which provides
Effective Jan. 8, all eligible non-European travelers transiting or traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences or short-term study for six months or less will require an electronic travel authorization (ETA) prior to travel. Key Points: The government is introducing an ETA for millions of visitors
The Canadian government announced it will not accept new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2025. Key Points: The Parents and Grandparents Program allows sponsoring Canadian citizens or permanent residents to bring parents and grandparents to Canada as permanent
As a reminder, the Marom Electronic Travel Authorization — Israel (ETA-IL) is now in effect, and all tourists and business travelers from visa-exempt countries must obtain an ETA-IL form approval before arriving in Israel. Key Points: As BAL reported, the Israeli Ministry
Effective April 1, Israel’s minimum monthly salary will be updated to 6,248 NIS (about US$1,714) gross per month. Key Points: The new minimum monthly salary will apply to foreign nationals employed in short-term employment authorization programs, as well as to 2(a)(5) asylum and protection seekers and general B-1 visa holders. Employers
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Dec. 20 additional guidance on the 2024 Farmworker Protection Final Rule. Key Points: The additional guidance is based on court orders issued in Nov. 2024 in response to lawsuits brought by
South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced the validity of the Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP) has been granted an automatic extension to Nov. 28, 2025. Key Points: As BAL reported, Zimbabwean nationals were also recently granted automatic extensions of their Zimbabwe
South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs extended the temporary concession for certain visa and waiver applications to March 31, 2025. Key Points: The Department of Home Affairs issued a directive stating that long-term visa applications, as well as appeal and waiver applications still pending as of Nov.
As we prepare for President-elect Trump’s second term, we expect to see some of the same policies and immigration trends from his first term. One of those is a significant increase in Form I-9 audits and worksite enforcement investigations. Employers can best prepare by understanding how to correctly fill out
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Michelle Gergerian and Victoria Ma discuss strategies employers can use to best position themselves for attracting and retaining top talent in the semiconductor industry. Explore more episodes of the BAL Immigration Report podcast, available on