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  • United States | PERM and prevailing wage processing times as of April 30

    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 30, the department was adjudicating PERM applications filed in December 2023 and earlier and reviewing appeals for reconsideration filed in March

  • United States | Romania’s Visa Waiver Program designation rescinded

    The Department of Homeland Security announced that Romania’s Visa Waiver Program (VWP) designation has been rescinded. Key Points: The Biden administration designated Romania as a VWP country on Jan. 9, 2025. On March 25, 2025, DHS paused implementation of the VWP

  • United States | Diversity Visa results available for DV-2026 entrants

    Diversity Visa lottery results for DV-2026 Diversity Visa Program (DV-2026) applicants are now available on the State Department’s Entrant Status Check page. Key Points: To check status online, individuals who entered the lottery will need to provide their entrant confirmation number, last name or family name

  • United States | TPS for South Sudan automatically extended

    The designation of South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which was set to expire on May 3, 2025, has been automatically extended to Nov. 3, 2025. Key Points: Under the TPS statute, if the Secretary of Homeland Security (Secretary) does

  • Saudi Arabia | Saudization rate increases commenced across healthcare professions

    The government of Saudi Arabia commenced the initial phase of increasing Saudization rates across four healthcare professions within the private sector on April 17, 2025. Key Points: This first phase of the implementation targets specific Saudization percentages: 65% for radiology; 80% for both clinical nutrition and

  • United States | State Department reports latest global visa wait times

    The State Department has updated global visa wait times. The update now includes additional information on the average time nonimmigrant visa applicants waited for an interview in the previous month. The Department also continues to provide the estimated wait time until the next available interview

  • United States | Updated TPS, DACA, employment authorization and other application forms take effect May 29

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has advised that only the updated Jan. 20, 2025, editions of Temporary Protected Status (TPS), employment authorization and other applications forms will be accepted starting May 29. Key Points: Starting May 29, 2025, only the Jan. 20, 2025, edition of certain forms will be accepted, including:

  • United States | USCIS forms updates regarding PERM adjustment status and EB-5 investors

    U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has updated certain forms and only the Jan. 20, 2025, editions will be accepted starting May 28, including temporary to permanent resident status adjustment and EB-5 investor forms. Key Forms: Starting May 28, 2025, only the Jan. 20, 2025, edition of certain forms will be accepted,

  • Mexico | Increase in appointments at Mexico’s U.S. consulates

    Mexico’s consulates in the U.S. have seen an increase in appointments, documentation and legal consultations in response to the Foreign Ministry’s strengthened efforts to digitize, simplify and expand consular services offered in the United States. Key Points: The Foreign Ministry’s initiatives resulted in a 21%

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  • Worksite compliance matters: FAQ on site visits and I-9 audits

    Increased H-1B and I-9 scrutiny means greater risk for your business. Multiple news articles confirm a significant number of worksite enforcement arrests are currently being made and we anticipate these audits and investigations to ramp up in the next few years. Review answers to frequently asked questions for clear expectations about why

  • Three company restructuring scenarios that require immigration compliance

    If your organization employs foreign nationals, it’s crucial to ensure compliance through mergers & acquisitions, reductions in force and other company changes. Here are immigration considerations for three of the most common company restructurings, and how you can support your foreign national employees through the changes. 1. Expanding or reducing operations in

  • Clarifying the new H-1B rule to keep employers compliant

    Are you compliant with the new H-1B modernization rule? BAL’s legal experts clarify three provisions of the new rule published in December 2024 to ensure your organization is equipped to maintain compliance. 1. Clarifying the definition of “specialty occupation” U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated the definition of a “specialty occupation” for

  • Tools to fortify and scale your immigration program

    From structure comes strength. Whether the number of foreign national employees in your program is fewer than 10 or more than 1,000, there are common structural elements that can strengthen your program to successfully navigate the complexities of immigration law and compliance. Below

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