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The Australian government announced a new National Planning Level for international student programs in 2025. Key Points: Effective Jan. 1, 2025, a total of 270,000 new international student commencements for the 2025 calendar year will be allotted under the new National Planning Level limits. The commencements
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it will open an international field office in Quito, Ecuador, on Sept. 10. Key Points: The Quito Field Office will be located in the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador. The new field office will focus on increasing processing capacity for refugees
The Canadian government announced a new temporary policy for certain foreign nationals under the Provincial Nominee Program. Key Points: The new policy allows eligible foreign nationals seeking to apply for permanent residency under a Provincial Nominee Program to be issued an open work permit more quickly. Foreign nationals must hold an
The State Department announced that the annual limit of EB-4 visas has been reached for fiscal year 2024. Key Points: All visas available in the Employment-Based Fourth Preference (EB-4) category for FY 2024 have been issued. The Immigration and Nationality Act limits the number of EB-4
The Canadian government announced the end of a temporary policy allowing visitors to apply for a work permit within Canada, effective immediately. Key Points: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada introduced the temporary policy in August 2020 to help nationals who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel
The Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) within the Department of Labor announced it would delay implementing revised H-2A job order and application forms associated with the Farmworker Protection Rule until further notice. Key Points: The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Georgia issued
The Emirati government announced that foreign nationals on expired residence permits will now be granted a two-month grace period to resolve their immigration status. Key Points: The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security is now allowing individuals a two-month grace period to regularize
The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) announced it will fully decommission the legacy Permanent Online System on Dec. 1. Key Points: OFLC implemented the Foreign Labor Application Gateway, or FLAG System, in
The government of Cuba has launched a new electronic visa platform, known as Evisa. Key Points: The new Evisa replaces the tourist card that allowed travelers to stay for up to 90 days with the option to extend for an additional 90 days. The Evisa costs
The Qatari government has extended the validity period for the multiple-entry work visa (MEWV) for nationals of Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines and Sri Lanka. Key Points: The updated regulation takes effect immediately and extends the MEWV validity period to a maximum of 12 months. The updated validity period is
The State Department announced that the annual limit of EB-1 visas has been reached for fiscal year 2024. Key Points: All visas available in the Employment-Based First Preference (EB-1) category for FY 2024 have been issued. The Immigration and Nationality Act limits the number of EB-1
The Canadian government announced labor market impact assessments will no longer be processed for the low-wage stream within the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) program. Key Points: Effective Sept. 26, the government will refuse to process labor market impact assessments in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or
Finnish authorities have approved the first set of amendments to the Citizenship Act, which will enter into force on Oct. 1. Key Points: The legislative reform will extend the period of residence required for acquiring Finnish citizenship in general from five to eight years. All citizenship applications submitted before Oct.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated its Policy Manual guidance on when nonimmigrant students may be eligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT) extensions in STEM fields. Key Points: The updated guidance clarified when nonimmigrant students may count credit for online/distance learning classes and their eligibility for
A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the Biden administration from approving parole requests under the Keeping Families Together program on Monday. Key Points: District Court Judge J. Campbell Barker granted a request from 16 states led by Republicans challenging the new program, which opened
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Gabriel Castro and Kristi Ngo discuss a recent end-of-summer event they attended with a group of global mobility professionals – and understanding what global mobility means. Plus, the latest immigration news. This alert has been provided by
In this week’s episode, BAL’s Chad Li and Kyle McLaughlin discuss common questions about the PERM process and identify four main considerations employers should be aware of when navigating its complexities. Plus, the latest U.S. and global immigration news. This podcast has
Migration trends suggest increasing intra-LATAM restrictions on business travel, while foreign investment and skilled worker movement from outside the region continues to grow. Venezuela BACKGROUND Venezuela is a federal republic comprised of an executive branch in the form of a president, who is the head of government and chief of state serving a
Countries in Africa are experiencing a mix of economic opportunities and challenges. East Africa is witnessing economic growth driven by tourism, technology and natural resources, while other regions face economic disparities and infrastructure challenges. South Africa BACKGROUND In general elections, South Africans vote for a political party and not for specific presidential candidates.
The Asia-Pacific region is experiencing rapid economic growth with a strong reliance on foreign direct investment, focusing on easing business travel immigration rules and increasing openness to tourism. Societal challenges include gender roles and increasing environmental awareness. Taiwan BACKGROUND The Taiwanese government underwent substantial change in the 1990s up to 2005, when the