In this issue: 1. President Trump Proposes ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program to Replace EB-5 Visa – President Trump said he wants to sell a “gold card” visa for $5 million to noncitizens, including both individuals and companies. The visa would include permanent residence with work authorization and a path to U.S. citizenship. Secretary of Commerce […]
In this issue: 1. DHS Pauses Humanitarian Parole Programs – The top official at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reportedly ordered a pause of various humanitarian parole programs while the agency assesses them. The report describes the scope of the programs to be paused as “vast.” 2. CBP Clarifies Advance Parole Guidance; Practitioners Urge Caution […]
Headlines: 1. CLAWBACK CLAUSES: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an update on clawback clauses in several countries. 2. EUROPEAN UNION – This article takes a look at the European Union’s (EU) stance on citizenship by investment, and temporary protection permits for Ukrainian nationals. 3. ITALY – This article discusses what constitutes a “business” for […]
In this issue: 1. OFLC Reminds Employers About H-2B Application Filing Timelines for 2025 Peak Filing Season – The filing window to submit an H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification (Form ETA-9142B and appendices) requesting work start dates of April 1, 2025, or later, opened on January 1, 2025. 2. VWP Designated Countries List To […]
Headlines: 1. LABOR SHORTAGE PROFESSIONS: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an update on immigration processing for labor shortage professions in several countries. 2. EUROPEAN UNION – The EU has postponed introduction of the Entry/Exit System. Also, all Member States (except for Denmark and Ireland) must transpose a new Single Permit Directive into their national […]
In this issue: 1. DHS Publishes Temporary Final Rule to Supplement H-2B Cap With Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for FY 2025 – The rule provides effective dates for the various allocations and details on what employers must do to qualify for the FY 2025 supplemental caps. 2. DHS Publishes Notice Designating Lebanon for TPS and […]
In this issue: 1. OFLC to Decommission Legacy Permanent Online System on December 1 – The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification will decommission the legacy Permanent Online System on December 1. 2. DOS Corrects DV-2026 Entry Period Dates – The entry period for the DV-2026 program begins on October 2, 2024, and […]
In this issue: 1. FY 2026 Diversity Visa Program Application Period Is Underway – The online registration period for the Diversity Visa (DV)-2026 program began on October 2, 2024, and concludes on November 5, 2024. 2. USCIS Issues New Guidance on EB-1 ‘Extraordinary Ability’ Eligibility Criteria – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued policy guidance, […]
Headlines: 1. BELGIUM – Each region now has its own law regarding work authorization and work permits. 2. CANADA – The Canadian government has acted to further limit the number of temporary residents in Canada. 3. SCHENGEN AREA – The Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin operations on November 10, 2024. 4. UNITED KINGDOM – On […]
In this issue: 1. USCIS Updates Guidance on OPT and Other Issues for F/M Nonimmigrant Students – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated its guidance on when students may be eligible for optional practical training extensions for STEM fields. USCIS also provided clarifying guidance for F and M nonimmigrant students about online study, […]