Former Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli has been appointed acting director of USCIS, replacing Acting Director Koumans. Director Koumans replaced Director Cissna on June 3 as acting director. Below is the USCIS release: WASHINGTON— Department of Homeland Security Acting Secretary Kevin McAleenan today announced that Kenneth T. (Ken) Cuccinelli will serve as the new acting director of … Continue Reading
In a last-minute change, the White House announced an extension of the Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) of Liberians until March 30, 2020. Prior to today’s announcement, the wind-down for DED was March 31, 2019. Citing foreign policy interests of the United States, the extension was granted with direction for the Congress to consider “remedial legislation.” … Continue Reading
On Aug. 31, 2018, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed a final rule in the Federal Register to increase the premium processing fee for certain visa petitions to $1,410, effective Oct. 1, 2018. Premium processing, a service offered for certain petitions, requires U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to adjudicate a petition (i.e., approve, … Continue Reading
Following the July 20 announcement of the granting of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalian beneficiaries, the Department of Homeland Security published a notice on Aug. 27 with instructions for the 18-month Somalian TPS extension from Sept. 18, 2018 through March 17, 2020. The 60-day re-registration period runs from Aug. 27, 2018 through Oct. 26. 2018. … Continue Reading
The National Law Journal selected the 2018 Trailblazers in Immigration. This year, Greenberg Traurig Immigration & Compliance attorneys Laura Reiff and Kate Kalmykov were recognized on the list for their notable achievements in the practice of law. Kalmykov leads the immigration practice group in the firm’s New York, New Jersey, and Philadelphia offices. She has more … Continue Reading
The Council for Global Immigration (CGI) has updated its members regarding the recent decision of a District Court judge which vacated the 17-month STEM OPT rule, but stayed the order until February 12, 2016. The CGI recognizes that this will put the Department of Homeland Security on a short timeline to issue a rule with … Continue Reading
The cap for the United Kingdom Non-EU Skilled Migrants (Tier 2) visa category has been met for the first time since it was introduced in 2011. What is the Tier-2 General Category? The Tier-2 visa is split into four categories, including General, Intra-Company Transfers, Sports People and Ministers of Religion. The cap has been met … Continue Reading
Australia’s Department of Immigration and Border Protection has recommended a new short-term skilled worker visa that would allow foreigners to work in Australia for up to one year without having to satisfy the language and skill requirements of the 457 visa. More importantly, sponsoring employers would not be subject to the 457 visa’s labor market … Continue Reading
The announcement of the Express Entry immigration selection system by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has resulted in a surge of applications under the current Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). Under the current program, applications are submitted based on a list of eligible occupations, which will be eliminated under the Express Entry program. Only 1,000 … Continue Reading
The United Kingdom government has announced a plan to expand The Super Priority Visa Service in April 2015. Currently, this service is available to Chinese and Indian business travelers, and provides decisions within 24 hours to individuals who need to travel to the United Kingdom urgently. The following countries will benefit from this expansion:… Continue Reading
In response to the Ebola epidemic, Canada, Australia and Singapore have all implemented immigration restrictions on citizens from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Other countries are expected to implement similar restrictions. Starting today, Singapore requires all citizens of Ebola-stricken countries to obtain entry visas before they can be admitted into the country – previously visas … Continue Reading
When companies with a globally mobile workforce expand operations, win projects or are faced with a reduction in force they must navigate the ever-changing regulations in markets abroad. With penalties for the misuse of immigration programs on the rise, it is crucial that global employers remain compliant and address key changes in global immigration in … Continue Reading
The UK Home Office just announced changes to simplify the application process for Chinese nationals applying for UK business visas. This change follows intense pressure from the UK business community who want to encourage Chinese investment in the United Kingdom. Chinese nationals may now apply for a UK business visa by completing an application form, … Continue Reading
The Bureau of Immigration for the Republic of the Philippines is now requiring all foreign nationals to provide biometric information. From Oct. 1, 2014, until Sept. 30, 2015, foreign nationals must present themselves before the Bureau of Immigration to have their fingerprints and image captured and entered into the Bureau of Immigration’s database. This does … Continue Reading
In our previous posts regarding Canada, we discussed the numerous changes in immigration laws and regulations being implemented in the country. As seems to be the theme with many countries around the world, including the United States, Canada has taken steps to increase its focus on immigration compliance across major industries and implemented measures designed … Continue Reading
In an effort to increase travel by Chinese and Indian nationals between the United Kingdom and Ireland, authorities in both countries recently announced a single visa option for certain short stay and visitor visas. Under this scheme, Chinese and Indian nationals will be able to take short trips to one country and then the other … Continue Reading
Intracompany transfer to Italy from non-EU countries are now able to take advantage of two- to three-week work permit processing, pursuant to a new fast-track procedure implemented by the Ministry of Interior. The standard work permit process, which includes approval from the Italian Labour Board, can take two to five months.… Continue Reading
Applicants for certain Canadian immigration programs can look forward to a faster permanent residency process in the new year. Foreign nationals seeking permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and parts of the Provincial Nominee Program should complete the Express Entry process in six months. … Continue Reading
In our previous updates regarding the United Kingdom, we discussed the increased scrutiny on immigration compliance currently taking place in the country and the potential impact on employers and individuals working in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has implemented significant changes to immigration laws and regulations, which have already gone into effect or will … Continue Reading
In addition to Norway, the Embassy of Norway located in Lilongwe, Malawi now handles visa applications for Denmark, Iceland, Sweden, Finland, Italy, France, Belgium, Spain, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, as well as Schengen visa applications. The Embassy website boasts that no other Norwegian diplomatic mission represents so many countries.… Continue Reading
U.S. Embassies and Consulates in India, Singapore, and Malaysia will be closed on Wednesday, October 22, for the Diwali (Deepavali) holiday. Immigration services for visa applicants will not be available while offices are closed for the Diwali (Deepavali) holiday. It is encouraged to submit applications before the holiday to avoid delays.… Continue Reading
In Angola, all companies in the oil industry are required to file an annual program contract and human resources development plan by October 31, 2014. The program contract and human resources development plan should show how the company is taking steps towards including more Angola workers in their workforce. Companies who do not meet the … Continue Reading
The Russian Federal Migration Service requires that companies operating in Russia that employ Highly Qualified Specialists (HQS) report the salaries paid to those HQS during the third quarter of 2014 (July 1 to Sept. 30) before the end of the month. Employers that do not comply face administrative fines ranging from 400,000 rubles to 1 … Continue Reading
Argentina’s transition to an electronic filing system for visa and work permit applications has produced lengthy processing delays. The Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (DNM)’s new electronic system eliminates jurisdictional rules and allows companies to submit documents at any DNM office as all DNM offices have access to uploaded applications. However, applicants must still appear in … Continue Reading
