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The government announced the visa allocation for the Seasonal Worker visa route for 2025. Key Points: Officials published a package of measures designed to provide certainty and stability to farmers and growers in the horticulture, poultry and sheep sectors. A total of 43,000
The government announced changes to the submission process of the commercial partner visa application. Key Points: Visa application centers are operated by commercial partners (suppliers) on behalf of U.K. Visas and Immigration. For applications outside the U.K., the commercial partner has switched from TLScontact to VFS
The Italian government approved a law decree that introduces new provisions regarding the entry of foreign workers. Key Points: Decree Law No. 145/2024 came into effect on Oct. 11 following its publication in the Official Gazette of the Italian Republic. The first section focuses on streamlining and improving the efficiency of
The U.S. Embassy in Rwanda announced that it will reopen Oct. 21, 2024, for all in-person services, including visa services and interviews. Key Points: On Sept. 27, 2024, the government of Rwanda confirmed cases of Marburg Virus Disease (MVD) in health facilities in Rwanda. The U.S.
The Department of Homeland Security announced that certain Lebanese nationals currently residing in the United States will be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) protections. Key Points: DHS is designating
Spanish immigration authorities announced a change in practice regarding proof of social security coverage for intra-company transferee permit applications. Key Points: Officials stated that intra-company transferee permit applications must now include a valid proof of social security coverage certificate. Previously, authorities would accept a commitment letter from an applicant’s host employer
The government of Turkey announced changes regarding work permit eligibility criteria, including updated minimum salary levels. Key Points: Effective Oct. 1, a new law entered into force updating the minimum salary levels by position, including: High-level managers and pilots: TRY 100,012.50 (about US$2,927) gross per
Dutch authorities have announced changes to the business portal login process for intermediaries requiring the use of chain authorization. Key Points: Beginning Nov. 4, intermediary users within the Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) Business Portal will be required to log in
A group of farm and business organizations as well as the state of Mississippi have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Labor seeking to block implementation of a final rule expanding labor rights for H-2A workers. Key Points: The new lawsuit, filed in the U.S.
Irish officials announced that Immigration Service Delivery (ISD) will now have the primary responsibility of managing renewal of Irish immigration residence permissions for persons residing in all counties. Key Points: Effective Nov. 4, online renewals of permissions from all applicants nationwide may now be submitted using
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated Policy Manual guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule. Key Points: The update incorporates the International Entrepreneur Program: Fiscal Year 2025 Automatic Increase of Investment and Revenue Amount Requirements Final Rule, which was published in
The U.S. State Department released the November Visa Bulletin. EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing saw no movement and remained the same as in October. All employment-based preference categories must use the Dates for Filing chart, which remains the same
Registration for the Diversity Visa 2026 lottery is open until Tuesday, Nov. 5. Key Points: Registration began Wednesday, Oct. 2, and closes Tuesday, Nov. 5, at noon EST. Please note that the Federal Register lists 2023 dates and has not yet been updated as
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon due to the volatile and unpredictable security situation in the country. The U.S. Embassy in Lebanon is available to provide assistance. Key Points: The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to depart Lebanon now while
The European Commission announced the implementation date for the Entry/Exit System (EES) will be further delayed. Key Points: As BAL previously reported, the official commencement date for the EES was scheduled for Nov. 10. The new border control system is part of a “Smart Borders” initiative
Jeff Robins, a top immigration litigator, will chair BAL’s litigation group and join the Government Strategies team. DALLAS, October 22, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- BAL, the world's leading corporate immigration law firm, announced today that Jeff Robins, one of the most experienced immigration litigators in the country, has joined the firm. Jeff will
In this week’s episode of the BAL Immigration Report, Gabriel Castro discusses O-1 visas and why more employers are considering them as an alternative to the H-1B lottery. Plus, the latest immigration news. Explore more episodes of the BAL Immigration Report
The stakes are high for the 2024 presidential election, especially for immigration programs. A change in administrations could result in a reactionary environment and swift immigration challenges on day one. As we count down to the election, now is the time to prepare your immigration program for any outcome. Download this
The Diversity Immigrant Visa Program, commonly referred to as the green card lottery, was established by the U.S. government to provide individuals from countries with low immigration rates a chance to live and work in the U.S. Each year, the U.S. Department of State conducts a random lottery drawing to