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May 15, 2013
AUSTRALIA | Subclass 457 Visa Application Fees Set to Almost Double on July 1, 2013/Tougher Employer Compliance Planned
The Australian Government has released its 2013 national budget to include the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) raising its Subclass 457 Visa application fee from AUD455 (approx. US$ 452) to AUD900 (approx. US$894). The increased fee will be charged for all new Subclass 457 visa applications filed on or after July 1, 2013.
May 10, 2013
CHINA | Shanghai Labor Bureau Increases Employment License Application Processing Times
In a continuing evolution of implementing China’s new Exit/Entry immigration law, the Shanghai Labor Bureau has recently announced an increase in the processing times for all Employment License applications.
May 9, 2013
CANADA | CIC Reopens the Revised Federal Skilled Worker Program
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) recently announced further guidance for the newly redesigned Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP).
May 9, 2013
COLOMBIA | Consolidation of Visa Categories and New Application Requirements to Be Introduced by June 24, 2013
On April 24, 2013, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) issued an important new immigration law (DECRETO NÚMERÓ 834) that will change the majority of existing immigration regulations issued in 2004 and will abolish and/or consolidate several visa categories. The new regulations are scheduled to take effect on June 24, 2013.
May 3, 2013
CANADA | Temporary Suspension of ALMO Applications, New Prevailing Wage Requirement and Proposed Changes to TFWP
As a follow-up to our April 17th brief, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) have announced immediate, important changes to the TFWP. Under these new guidelines, there are real-world implications to Canadian companies accessing the program.
April 30, 2013
UNITED KINGDOM | Home Office Update on UK Border Agency’s (UKBA’s) reorganization into two, separate agencies.
As a short-follow up to our brief regarding the formation of two, new agencies to administer UK immigration benefits (Visas & Immigration) and enforcement and compliance with immigration laws (Immigration Enforcement), the Home Office has announced the appointment of two interim directors of these new agencies to lead the transition and develop new policies.
April 30, 2013
UNITED STATES | April 30th Automation of I-94 Cards May Temporarily Affect Third-Country National Visa Applications
On April 30, 2013, the United States (U.S.) Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will begin phasing out issuance of the traditional white Arrival/Departure Record card, or "I-94 Card", at all U.S. air and sea ports that process international arrivals.
April 29, 2013
ISRAEL | Gas & Oil Drilling Industry Workers Will Receive Multiple-Entries Visa Granted for Same Validity as B-1 Work Visa
The Ministry of Interior (MOI) has issued an internal announcement that all future Multiple-Entry Visas will be granted for the same period of validity granted on the B-1 Work Visa but only for those foreign nationals working in Israel’s Gas & Oil Drilling sector.
April 25, 2013
SWITZERLAND | Government to Implement Immigration Quotas on Nationals of 28 EEA Countries
On April 24, 2013, Switzerland’s Federal Council announced that, over the next 12 months, it will invoke its “safeguard clause” by imposing work permit quotas and, in turn, reducing the number of residence permits to nationals from a combined total of 28 European Economic Area (EEA) countries.
April 24, 2013
IRELAND | Key Changes to the Employment Permit Schemes and Processing Protocols
Recent changes to the immigration regulations for personnel entering employment in Ireland from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland will require a permit from the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI).
April 24, 2013
BRAZIL | 90-Day Technical Visas to Be Issued by Brazilian Consulates Beginning May 9, 2013
Today, the new Normative Resolution 100 (NR #100) pertaining to 90-Day Technical Visas (Resolução Normativa do Conselho Nacional de Imigração nº 100 de 23 de Abril de 2013) has now been published in Brazil's official Legal Gazette, the Diario Oficial (http://sintse.tse.jus.br/documentos/2013/Abr/24/resolucao-normativa-no-100-de-23-de-abril-de-2013).
April 19, 2013
SWITZERLAND | Advance Declaration of Salary Now Required for Employees of EU/EFTA-Registered Companies
Effective May 15, 2013, foreign nationals employed by a company having its registration in an EU/EFTA-member State* must make advance declaration of a seconded employees' salary with the Federal Department of Justice and Police.
April 17, 2013
NETHERLANDS | Modern Migration Policy Update - Company Registrations (Covenants) to Sponsor Knowledge Migrants Need to Be Updated by June 1, 2013
Effective June 1, 2013, the new Modern Migration Policy law will require replacement of the existing Knowledge Migrant (“KM”) covenants (registrations) held by companies with an “Authorised Sponsor for the KM Procedure" (Erkend Referent Kennismigrantenregeling).
April 17, 2013
CANADA | Canadian Government Announces Initiatives to Protect Canadian Workers and Attract Overseas Talent
On March 21, 2013, the Canadian Government issued its annual budgetary “Economic Action Plan.” This year’s plan specifically focuses on enhancing the ability for Canadian nationals and permanent residents to obtain jobs ahead of foreign workers through job training and apprenticeships, expanding job-availability throughout in-demand fields, and further strengthening the Canadian workforce.
April 17, 2013
CHINA | New Entry/Exit Control Regulations to Be Implemented by July 1, 2013
The newly-revised “Law of the People’s Republic of China on the Control of the Exit and Entry of Citizens” is to come into effect on July 1, 2013 and will require foreigner’s to observe new visitor and long-term residence registration requirements.
April 9, 2013
COLOMBIA | Nationals of CAN and MERCOSUR Countries May Obtain Expedited Work/Residence Status
The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) has recently issued guidance permitting nationals of countries that are members of the Free Trade Agreements (FTA’s) of the Community of Andean Nations (CAN) and MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) to undergo streamlined processing for work and residence authorization in Colombia.
April 8, 2013
BELGIUM | Belgian Inspectorates to Increase Immigration Compliance and Enforcement Regulations
As of March 31, 2013, the Belgian Federal Government will coordinate more immigration compliance and enforcement between the Federal Government with the three regional inspectorate offices and communities. Compliance and enforcement will be better coordinated by the sharing of information amongst various government databases regarding foreign worker’s immigration and tax information.
April 3, 2013
IRELAND | "Necessary Skills" - Rethinking National Immigration Policy for a "Big Data" Economy
The Ministry of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) released its February 2013 "Action Plans For Jobs" report that addresses Ireland's push to become a "Big Data" center for the global economy.
April 2, 2013
INDIA | IVFRT Integrating Immigration and Border Control Databases-Phasing out D/E Cards
India’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has announced that as part of its on-going implementation of its Immigration, Visa and Foreigners Registration & Tracking (IVFRT), beginning July 1, 2013, it will begin phasing out the requirements for foreign nationals to complete disembarkation cards when arriving in India and embarkation cards for Indian nationals departing India.
March 29, 2013
AUSTRALIA | DIAC Issues Guidance for New Temporary Visitor Visa Categories (Subclasses 400, 600, and 601)
Following the recent announcement from Australia’s Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) that several high-volume visitor visa categories would be repealed and consolidated, the department has published the process guidelines and document requirements for the new visas.
March 27, 2013
RUSSIA | Reminder to File May 1st Foreign Labor Forecasts for Work Permit Quotas
Russia's Federal Labor and Employment Service (FELS) is reminding Russian companies of the need to file their foreign labor forecasts for 2014 to determine the number of "quota" work permits that will be available for companies to sponsor overseas workers.
March 27, 2013
CANADA | Faster Processing Times for Permanent Residence Permit Applications
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced a 40% decrease in the backlog of processing permanent residence permit applications filed prior to 2008.
March 27, 2013
KAZAKHSTAN | March 23rd Changes Reduce Work Permit Application Documents
The Kazakh Government has announced a reduction of work permit application support documents. Effective March 23, 2013, certain categories of work permit applicants are no longer required to provide a medical or police certificate nor proof of an applicant's medical insurance coverage.
March 27, 2013
UNITED KINGDOM | Home Secretary to Dismantle the UK Border Agency Into Two, Separate Entities
In a surprise March 26th address to Parliament by Britain’s Home Secretary, Theresa May, she announced her plans to move forward in dismantling the UK Border Agency (UKBA) and split its functions into two, separate entities within the Home Office.
March 22, 2013
AUSTRALIA | DIAC Streamlines Temporary Visitor Visas and Announces New Temporary Work (Short Stay Activity) (Subclass 400) Visa
As part of the ongoing efforts of Australia's Department of Immigration & Citizenship (DIAC) to simplify the immigration structures within the country, the department has announced that they will consolidate and reclassify several temporary visitor visa subclasses.
March 19, 2013
UNITED KINGDOM | Border Agency Releases April 6, 2013 Changes to Minimum Salary Thresholds and Codes of Practice
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has submitted to Parliament comprehensive changes to its Codes of Practice that will affect the adjudication all Tier (categories) of the current Points-Based System (PBS) and clarifications to the existing visitor rules to prevent “frequent and successive” visitors from establishing de facto residence in the UK.
March 12, 2013
NETHERLANDS | Modern Migration Policy Act to Be Introduced on June 1, 2013
On June 1, 2013, the Dutch Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) will implement simultaneously two, new immigration acts.
March 8, 2013
UNITED STATES | Government Sequestration and Global Mobility
From March 1 to September 30, 2013, the United States (U.S.) Government’s automatic spending cuts (“sequestration”) on certain government services will come into effect. The cuts are anticipated across virtually all major sectors of the government, including reducing budgets of the U.S. Department of State (DOS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CPB).
March 8, 2013
INDIA | Implementation of IVFRT Technology at the Pune FRO and other FRO’s May Slightly Delay Residence Permit Registration
Registration for a new or renewed Residential Permit with the Pune Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) has increased to at least one to two weeks.
March 7, 2013
GLOBAL | 2013 Passover and Easter Observances May Slightly Delay Immigration Processes in Certain Countries
This year, the Judaic observation of Passover will commence with the Passover Seder (March 25) through the Eighth Day (April 2). The Christian observance of Easter will commence on Good Friday (March 29) through Easter Monday (April 1).
March 6, 2013
AUSTRALIA | DIAC Announces Proposed Corporate Compliance Changes for the Subclass 457 Visa Category
A February 23, 2013 media release by Australia’s Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, the Honorable Brendan O'Connor MP, announced undefined changes to the Subclass 457 Visa category. These proposed changes are designed to “strengthen the integrity of the 457 program.”
March 6, 2013
BRAZIL | Brazilian Consulate in San Francisco Limits Third-Party Agent Filings/Visa Delays Expected During March 2013
The Brazilian Consulate in San Francisco has issued an internal request to all qualified third-party visa filing agents to withhold filing any new visa applications during the next two to three weeks. The Consulate has advised that it has very limited supplies of visa vignettes (seals) and will only accept visa applications filed in person in order to preserve remaining supplies.
February 26, 2013
MALAYSIA | Immigration Department Offers Online Employment Pass Application
The official portal of Malaysia’s Immigration Department (MID) (http://www.imi.gov.my/index.php/en/) in Putrajaya has expanded its “My Online*” options for Malaysian companies to file Employment Pass applications on behalf of qualified foreign workers. Presently, the MID in Putrajaya is the only office in Malaysia that is accepting online Employment Pass applications.
February 12, 2013
CANADA | Important Changes to Visa and Immigration Services Provided by Canadian Consular Posts
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced significant changes as to how it will provide Visas and Immigration (V&I) services throughout its consular network in South Korea, the United States and Venezuela. V&I services for U.S.-based applicants are outlined in a new, comprehensive Operational Bulletin.
February 12, 2013
CANADA | CIC to Introduce New “Start-Up” Visa Category on April 1, 2013
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) posted a January 24th announcement regarding the creation and implementation of a new Start-Up Visa Program to commence on April 1, 2013.
February 7, 2013
MOZAMBIQUE | Restrictions on Border Visas on Arrival-Arbitrary Border Enforcement for Visitors
Several recent media postings, including one by the United Kingdom’s Foreign Commonwealth Office (FCO), has reported multiple instances of Mozambican border officers refusing to issue Border Visas on arrival to foreign business visitors and those entering for purposes other than tourism.
February 7, 2013
ISRAEL | Immigration Statistics Update / Increased Scrutiny of “Foreign Expert” B-1 Work Permit Applications
Israel's Population Immigration and Border Authority ("PIBA") has published its annual review of immigration statistics for 2012.
February 7, 2013
ISRAEL | Immigration Statistics Update / Increased Scrutiny of “Foreign Expert” B-1 Work Permit Applications
The Population Immigration and Border Authority ("PIBA") of Israel’s Ministry of Interior is experiencing some delay in approving certain “B-1” Work permit applications. At present, the PIBA is more closely scrutinizing work permit applications, particularly the category of “Foreign Experts”. Therefore, processing of these types of work permits may take upwards of at least three months.
February 4, 2013
ARGENTINA | Pre-Payment of Online Reciprocity Fee Required for Australian, Canadian and U.S. Citizen Travelers
Effective January 7, 2013, Argentina's National Migration Office (Direcci?n Nacional de Migraciones or "DNM") will require citizens of Australia, Canada and the United States pay an online reciprocity fee (La Tasa de Reciprocidad) prior to their first business visit or tourist entry to Argentina.
January 30, 2013
RUSSIA | Several Changes to Immigration Law to Include New Five-Year Investment Visitor Visa
The Russian Federal Migration Service (FMS) has issued several new laws regarding the creation of a five-year Investment Visitor Visa category.
January 30, 2013
UNITED KINGDOM | Reminder to Allocate Fiscal Year 2013-2014 Certificates of Sponsorship
Under UK immigration law, a UK company's Sponsor License with the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is valid for four years; however, the allocation of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) runs between the fiscal year of April to April.
January 18, 2013
CHINA | 2013 Chinese Lunar New Year Festival May Briefly Slow Processing Times
From February 9-15, 2013, The Chinese Government will observe the annual Spring Festival celebrating the Lunar New Year. Processing of work and residence permits in China and visa applications processed by Chinese consular posts worldwide may experience a brief delay of a few days during this holiday week.
January 10, 2013
VIETNAM | Immigration Department Curtails Issuance of Three-Month, Multi-entry Business Visas On Arrival
The Immigration Department has suddenly changed its policy by no longer issuing three-month, multi-entry Business Visas on Arrival (BVOA). For the foreseeable future, only three-month single-entry BVOA’s will be issued at designated Vietnamese ports of entry.
January 8, 2013
CHINA | Beijing: Third-Party Agents No Longer Permitted to file Employment License Applications
The Beijing Labor Bureau is advising that it will no longer accept Employment License applications filed by third-party agents that will also include local immigration suppliers.
January 7, 2013
ROMANIA | 2013 Work Permit Quotas Announced
The Romanian Ministry of Labor (MOL) has published the categories of work authorization available in 2013. The total, national number calendar year 2013 is initially set at 5,500 permits.
January 7, 2013
BRAZIL | Normative Resolution 99 Introduces New Requirements for Work Contract Visas
Brazil's National Immigration Council recently published Resolução Normativa No. 99 (Normative Resolution #99 or "RN99") to replace Normative Resolution 80 (RN80).
January 3, 2013
CANADA | New Biometric Requirements for Certain Nationalities to be Introduced in 2013
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has recently announced that beginning in September 2013, applicants of certain nationalities will be required to submit biometric data for all visa applications in Canada’s temporary residence visa stream.