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The Canadian government has closed the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) programs as of Nov. 8. Key Points: The SDS was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students. Eligible SDS and NSE applications received before 2 p.m. ET
The Hong Kong government announced measures to enhance the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS). Key Points: The government recently released its Policy Address announcing reforms of various aspects of certain talent admission regimes, specifically
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that immigration medical examination documentation for certain Afghan nationals who arrived in the United States during Operation Allies Welcome (OAW) is valid indefinitely. Key Points: USCIS updated guidance in its Policy Manual to reflect that
The Department of Homeland Security announced on Nov. 8 that Belize is one of more than 80 countries eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B seasonal worker programs for the coming year. Key Points: DHS noted the designations are effective from Nov. 7, 2024, through
A federal judge in Texas ruled against the Keeping Families Together program, determining that the policy violates U.S. immigration law. Key Points: U.S. District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker agreed with a lawsuit filed by Texas and more than a dozen
The Labor Department has posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests. PERM Processing Times: As of Nov. 1, 2024, the department was adjudicating PERM applications filed in August 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed
The Canadian government announced new rules for multiple-entry visas, giving officials more discretion on validity and entry limits. Key Points: The multiple-entry visa allows the holder to seek entry from any country as often as necessary during the visa’s period of validity and has a maximum
The Panamanian government issued a law decree expanding visa-exempt status for certain foreign nationals. Key Points: Effective immediately, the decree allows any person of nationality from a visa-required country who holds a specific visa issued by Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore, South
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services approved a new immigration-related credentialing organization for certain healthcare workers. Key Points: USCIS approved the application from credentialing organization International Education Evaluations, LLC, on Oct. 25. International Education Evaluations, LLC, may now issue certificates and certified statements for individuals seeking to
The Emirati government announced that the grace period for foreign nationals on expired residence permits to resolve their immigration status has been extended until Dec. 31. Key Points: As BAL reported, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security will allow
The government announced its acceptance of the Low Pay Commission’s recommendations on the rates of the National Minimum Wage (NMW), including the National Living Wage (NLW). Key Points: Effective April 1, 2025, the NLW will rise 6.7%, from £11.44 to £12.21 (about US$15.70). The rates for
Singaporean officials released updated qualifications criterion for the points-based Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS). Key Points: As BAL reported, officials recently released the upcoming salary benchmarking table as part of the first round of annual updates to its COMPASS criteria. The COMPASS system is
Chinese officials announced the expansion of the country’s visa-free policy to nationals of Andorra, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Slovakia and South Korea. Key Points: Nationals of these countries with ordinary passports may enter visa-free for business, tourism, family visits or transit purposes for up
The Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration submitted Québec’s Immigration Plan for 2025. Key Points: The province aims to admit between 48,500 and 51,500 immigrants for 2025, in line with Québec’s 2024 immigration planning for permanent immigration, set at 50,000. The plan also includes temporary suspension measures for
On Dec. 1, 2024, the Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) will fully decommission the legacy Permanent Online System. Key Points: The system will no longer be accessible to account holders on this date, and the general public will be redirected to the
The O-1A visa is a nonimmigrant work visa for individuals who are considered experts in the fields of science, business, education or athletics. Unlike the H-1B visa, a common route for highly skilled foreign nationals, the O-1A visa can be filed at any time during the fiscal
The 2024-25 winter holiday travel season is expected to be one of the busiest on record, with an estimated 790 million people traveling internationally. In addition to key reminders like checking passport and visa validity expiration dates, the following are recommendations from BAL’s Global and Consular Program and Government
In this week’s episode, BAL’s David Wagner and Nathan McKinlay-Roy continue their discussion on treaty visas from Episode 97 focusing on the E-3 classification for Australian nationals. Plus, the latest immigration news. Explore more episodes of the BAL Immigration Report
In January 2024, two decades after the 9/11 terrorist attacks led to the discontinuance of domestic nonimmigrant visa renewals, the U.S. Department of State conducted a domestic visa renewal pilot program. The limited-time initiative allowed certain H-1B visas to be renewed in the U.S. instead of in a foreign country.