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  • United States | PERM and prevailing wage processing times as of April 1

    The Labor Department posted updated processing times for permanent labor certification (PERM) applications and prevailing wage determination (PWD) requests. PERM Processing Times: As of April 1, the department was adjudicating PERM applications filed in December 2023 and earlier and reviewing appeals for reconsideration filed in February

  • United States | Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela parole program termination temporarily blocked

    A U.S. District Court judge’s ruling on April 14 temporarily blocked the Department of Homeland Security from moving forward with the termination of categorical parole programs for Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela (CHNV) scheduled to take effect April 24. Key Points: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

  • United States | H-2B visa processing times updates as of April 15

    Update on applications received for requested date of need from Oct. 1, 2024, through March 31, 2025 (fiscal year (FY) 2025 first half of the visa cap): The Department of Labor (DOL) reported that as of April 15, a total of 5,909 cases were issued Final

  • United States | El Salvador now a Global Entry partner

    U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that El Salvador is now an official Global Entry partner country. Key Points: A Global Entry partnership allows pre-vetted, low-risk citizens of El Salvador expedited customs and immigration processing upon arrival to the U.S.

  • United States | EB-5 visa update for May 2025 shows six-month retrogression for India

    The 2025 May Visa Bulletin shows a six-month retrogression in the EB-5 unreserved visa category preference for India. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced all employment-based preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart in the bulletin. Key Points: In

  • United States | May 2025 Visa Bulletin: Only EB-3 visas for India show modest advancement

    The U.S. State Department released the May Visa Bulletin. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced filings for employment-based visa preference categories must use the Final Action Dates chart, which remain the same as April except for India’s modest EB-3 advancement

  • South Korea | Eased restrictions on interregional movement

    South Korea’s acting president and prime minister announced the easing of restrictions on international workers switching jobs outside of the Seoul metropolitan area. Key Points: Foreign national employees in the Greater Seoul area will be allowed to freely move to other provinces while changing jobs.

  • Ireland | Increased employment permits quota for transport sector

    The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment announced an increased quota of employment permits for car mechanics, HGV and bus mechanics and vehicle body builders and repairers. Key Points: The quota for car mechanics has increased by 200, the quota for HGV and bus mechanics

  • United States | USCIS will consider certain social media activity when adjudicating immigration benefit requests

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced that, effective immediately, it will “begin considering aliens’ antisemitic activity on social media and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests.” Key Points: The policy immediately affects noncitizens applying for lawful permanent resident status,

  • Saudi Arabia | Temporary suspension of short-term visas

    Saudi Arabia has announced a temporary suspension of short-term visas for 14 countries to help regulate the flow of travel during the busy Hajj season. Key Points: The suspensions apply to nationals of Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sudan, Tunisia and Yemen. All short-term

  • United States | U.S. Embassy Canada provides guidance on 'alien registration' requirements for Canadians

    The U.S. Embassy and consulates in Canada posted general guidance for Canadian citizens on the updated alien registration requirement that falls under Section 262 of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Key Points: The updated requirement is an

  • Thailand | Thailand Digital Arrival Card

    Effective May 1, 2025, all non-Thai nationals entering the country must complete the Thailand Digital Arrival Card (TDAC). Key Points: TDAC is an online form used to submit entry information and health declaration details, as authorized by the Ministry of Public Health of Thailand, before arriving in the country. All foreigners

  • India | Immigration and Foreigner’s Bill

    The Immigration and Foreigners Bill, 2025, introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 11, 2025, aims to modernize India's immigration framework with simpler visa processes, stricter compliance rules and enhanced security measures. Key Points: The bill proposes a centralized governing body to oversee all immigration

  • United States | USCIS makes Form I-9 and E-Verify updates April 2, current form versions remain valid

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services made minor changes to Form I-9 to align with statutory language and updated the Department of Homeland Security Privacy Notice. E-Verify/E-Verify+ citizenship status selection updates took effect April 3. Multiple previous editions remain valid until their respective expiration dates. I-9 Form

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