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In this week’s episode, BAL’s Jeff Joseph invites Natalie El-Diery, the Director of Immigration and Integration in the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity, to discuss the department’s immigrant integration initiatives
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Kelli Duehning discusses fragile and quasi immigration statuses like DACA, the differences between them and what to anticipate regarding theses statuses with a change in administration. Plus, the latest immigration news. This alert has been provided by
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Edward Rios and Femi Adeyemi discuss compliance issues that often get overlooked with foreign national employees during mergers and acquisitions and company restructures. Plus, the latest immigration news. This alert has been provided by the
Each year, on Sept. 17, Americans celebrate Constitution and Citizenship Day. While there are many paths to citizenship – born in the U.S. or a U.S. territory, born abroad to U.S. citizens or naturalized – we all enjoy the same advantages, and equally important responsibilities. As we reflect on these
The New Zealand government is increasing the maximum duration of work and visitor visas for partners of New Zealand citizens and residence class visa holders. Key Points: Partners must have been living together for at least 12 months to qualify. The maximum duration for work and
Immigration New Zealand is implementing changes for accredited employers, effective Oct. 7. Key Points: At that time, accredited employers will need to provide the Work and Income department with a company contact person responsible for hiring decisions, such as a hiring manager, human resources manager or
The Thai government announced a new law amending the civil and commercial code No. 24 to recognize marriage equality. Key Points: Officially announced in the Royal Gazette on Sept. 24, the new law will come into effect on Jan. 22, 2025. Under the new law, marriage registration will now recognize marriage
The U.S. State Department has issued a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory for Lebanon due to escalating violence and the unpredictable security situation. Key Points: The U.S. Embassy in Beirut urged U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon — especially those in the southern part of the
The Department of Homeland Security announced Qatar has been designated into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Key Points: The final rule went into effect on Sept. 26, 2024, and updated the list of countries designated for participation in the VWP
The government of Sri Lanka has expanded its visa-free entry policy to 35 countries. Key Points: The government recently extended the visa-free travel policy for nationals of China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia and Thailand. Effective Oct. 1, foreign nationals from
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 Sept. 1, the department was adjudicating applications filed in August 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in December
The Australian government announced changes for the subclass 400 temporary work (short stay specialist) visa related to longer term stays and return visits. Key Points: The Department of Home Affairs will now scrutinize subclass 400 visa applications more closely to ensure the pathway is not used
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that Liberians who are covered by Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) may apply for employment authorization documents (EADs) valid through June 30, 2026. Key Points: USCIS posted a Federal Register notice that establishes procedures for eligible
The Canadian government announced additional measures to manage the volume of temporary resident arrivals, including a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits in 2025. Key Points: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is implementing new measures to several temporary residence programs, including:
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it has reached the H-2B cap for the first half of fiscal year 2025. Key Points: USCIS has received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated cap on H-2B visas for temporary nonagricultural workers for the first half of FY
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services automatically extended the validity of permanent resident cards, also known as green cards, to 36 months for lawful permanent residents who file Form I-90, Application to Replace Permanent Resident Card. Key Points: Lawful permanent residents who properly file
The Zimbabwean government has updated its electronic visa (eVisa) issuance portal. Key Points: Foreign nationals of 118 countries and territories can now apply for an eVisa on arrival on the updated site before traveling to Zimbabwe. The reintroduction of electronic travel authorization via an electronic visa
Mexican immigration offices are reintroducing online appointments via the National Immigration Institute’s online appointment system for certain immigration applications. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the National Immigration Institute originally introduced an online appointment system for common immigration procedures in 2021 but temporarily suspended the system
The government of Turkey launched a new digital nomad visa that allows recipients to live and work in the country for up to one year with the option for renewal via a residence permit. Key Points: Originally announced in mid-April, applications are now available for foreign nationals from specific countries who