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  • Colombia | Registration requirement change

    The Colombian government announced certain visitor visa holders are no longer required to register with local authorities or apply for a local identity card. Key Points: The government’s resolution applies to certain visitor visa holders under the business, crew, diplomatic, events, international agreement and tourism subcategories.

  • Ireland | Interim measure while backlogs are addressed

    Irish officials have advised employers on an interim measure for Galway-based renewals of residence permissions. Key Points: Individuals will be permitted to remain on the existing conditions of their current IRP card, including labor market access, if the IRP card has expired and they are unable

  • United Arab Emirates | ‘Growth’ platform launched

    The Emirati government announced the launch of a new National Economic Registry “Growth” platform. Key Points: The Ministry of Economy is launching the “Growth” platform to support proactive government services. The platform provides a unified economic registry for businesses across the seven Emirates and aims to

  • Canada | Immigration medical examination policy extended

    The Canadian government announced an extension of a temporary public policy that exempts certain low-risk, in-Canada foreign nationals from needing an additional immigration medical examination (IME) as part of their application. Key Points: The temporary public policy is extended until Oct. 5,

  • Canada | Temporary Foreign Worker Program wage increase

    The Canadian government announced an increase to the starting hourly wage for the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program high-wage stream. Key Points: Effective Nov. 8, the starting hourly wage for workers in the high-wage stream will increase 20% to the median wage in the applicable province

  • New Zealand | ANZSCO to be Replaced

    The New Zealand government announced the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) will soon be replaced with separate systems for both countries. Key Points: ANZSCO is used by Immigration New Zealand for visa applications and grades occupations with skill levels ranging from 1

  • United Arab Emirates | eVisa for GCC residents

    The Emirati government announced an eVisa for residents of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries and their companions. Key Points: GCC residents (citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia) can apply for a 30-day eVisa to enter the UAE, which can be extended for an

  • United States | PERM, prevailing wage processing updates as of Oct. 15

    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 Oct. 15, the department was adjudicating PERM applications filed in August 2023 and earlier, conducting audit reviews on applications filed in

  • United Kingdom | Seasonal Worker visa route 2025 allocation

    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

  • United Kingdom | Commercial partner visa application services changes

    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

  • Italy | New decree law comes into force

    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

  • United States | US Embassy in Rwanda reopens Oct. 21

    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.

  • United States | TPS, DED protections offered to Lebanese nationals

    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

  • Spain | Proof of social security coverage now required

    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

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  • Episode 96: Portals, passports and program tips for winter holiday travel

    In this week’s episode, BAL’s Tiffany Derentz and Brendan Kinne discuss an updated travel program from the U.S. State Department and travel tips for foreign nationals planning to go abroad during the winter holiday season. Plus, the latest immigration

  • BAL Expands Litigation Group with New Appointment

    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

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