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  • Israel | Work permit application deadline extended

    Israeli officials have announced that foreign employees in the non-expert category within the industry sector now have until April 14 to submit their work permit applications. Key Points: The deadline was previously March 21, and was extended again to March 31. The submission deadline has now been confirmed for April 14,

  • Canada | Permanent residency application fee increases

    Canadian officials announced fee increases for all permanent residency applications, effective April 30. ‌Key Points: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will increase permanent residence application fees, including: Right of permanent residence — 575 Canadian dollars — about US$423 (up from CA$515) Federal skilled, provincial nominee program,

  • United States | Interview waivers for B1/B2 visitor visas consolidated in New Delhi

    The U.S. Embassy in India recently announced new measures to consolidate B1/B2 interview waiver appointments. Key Points: B1/B2 interview waiver appointments have been consolidated in New Delhi beginning last month, March 2024. Due to consolidation, interview waiver appointments for visitor visas in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata and

  • United States | USCIS increases automatic extension period for certain work permits

    U.S. Immigration and Citizenship Services announced a temporary final rule Thursday increasing the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents to up to 540 days. Key Points: A previous temporary final rule increasing the automatic extension period of some EADs

  • Ireland | Resident permit registration responsibilities updated

    Irish officials announced that Immigration Service Delivery will now have the primary responsibility of managing initial registrations and renewals for Irish immigration residence permits. Key Points: Effective April 8, first-time registration and renewals of Irish immigration residence permissions for applicants based in counties Dublin, Kildare, Meath

  • Ireland | Eligibility requirements updated for Stamp 4 permissions

    Irish officials announced that Stamp 1 CSEP holders or Stamp 1H permission holders are now eligible for a Stamp 4 upgrade upon completion of 21 months from the date of commencement of employment. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, Immigration Delivery

  • Australia | Migration strategy reforms begin to take effect

    The Australian government has begun the rollout of certain policies announced as part of the migration strategy. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the Australian government released the latest migration strategy outlining key actions and new policy commitments to overhaul the

  • United States | Form N-400 offers “X” gender option

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services revised Form N-400 to provide a third gender option, “X.” Key Points: “X” is defined as “another gender identity.” The April 1 edition of Form N-400 will be the first USCIS form to include the X gender option, which will be

  • Denmark | Updated income statistics released

    Danish immigration authorities released the updated income statistics that will apply to applications submitted after April 1. Key Points: An applicant’s salary and terms of employment must correspond to Danish standards to be granted a residence and work permit for both first-time and extension applications. Danish

  • Germany | Nationality Act modernization passed

    The German government announced the passage of a new act modernizing German citizenship law, which will go into effect in June. Key Points: The new act reduces the minimum period of residence required for naturalization to five years. Previously, an individual had to live in Germany

  • United States | USCIS opens H-1B filing period, employers encouraged to consider alternatives for those not selected

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has opened the 90-day filing period for petitioners whose registrations were selected in this year’s H-1B lottery. Key Points: The H-1B registration period closed Monday, March 25, and USCIS subsequently completed the random selection process for the H-1B master’s and general cap. The

  • Taiwan | Revised Immigration Act implemented

    The Taiwanese government announced several changes to immigration policy, effective March 1. ‌Key Points: Foreign nationals may now apply for an extension of their visitor visa at the National Immigration Agency for a fee of 300 New Taiwan dollars (about US$9.39), provided that they were originally

  • Israel | Minimum salary increased

    Effective April 1, Israel’s minimum monthly salary will be updated to 5,880 NIS (about US$1,600) 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

  • Spain | Monthly minimum wage increased

    The Council of Ministers approved an increase in the monthly minimum wage for this year to €1,134 (about US$1,214) in 14 payments. Key Points: The new minimum wage, which is expected to benefit an estimated 2.5 million workers, will be backdated to Jan. 1, 2024. The

  • Netherlands | Updated requirements for recognized employer sponsorship

    Dutch authorities have updated the document retention requirements for recognized sponsors employing certain highly skilled migrants. Key Points: Recognized sponsors are currently required to retain pay slips and diploma copies for highly skilled migrants who were subject to reduced salary thresholds for five years after their

  • United States | USCIS begins sending H-1B selection notices, says it will continue to over next few days

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has begun sending H-1B cap selection notices to myUSCIS accounts and will continue doing so over the next few days, the agency said Thursday. The initial registration submission period for the fiscal year 2025 H-1B cap season closed at noon EDT on Monday, March 25.

  • United States | Judge denies request to stop implementation of USCIS fee increases

    A federal judge denied a motion to halt the implementation of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services fee increases Friday. This means the fee increases will take effect as scheduled on Monday, April 1. Key Points: The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on Jan. 31 to increase USCIS filing

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