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, […]
In this issue: 1. USCIS Will Conduct Second Random Selection for Regular Cap From Previously Submitted FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registrations – U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will select additional registrations for unique beneficiaries to reach the FY 2025 regular cap numerical allocation. USCIS will make the selections from previously submitted electronic registrations using a […]
Headlines: 1. GOVERNMENT IMMIGRATION FEES: AN OVERVIEW – This article provides an overview of government immigration fees in several countries. 2. COLOMBIA – This article discusses visa options for retirees and “digital nomads” in Colombia. 3. EUROPEAN UNION – The Council of the European Union has extended temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees until March 2026. […]
In this issue: 1. Liberian DED Extended Through June 2026 – President Biden has extended through June 30, 2026, deferred removal for Liberians with a grant of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED). President Biden also announced that eligible Liberian nationals will have continued work authorization through June 30, 2026. 2. DHS Releases Details on Haiti TPS […]