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In immigration news this week:
These items and other news from Angola, Australia, and Lebanon follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
Bermuda, August 6, 2020
One Year Residential Certificate Introduced for Remote Workers and Students
To view entire article, click here.
The Netherlands, August 4, 2020
Employment Regulations from Revised Posted Worker Directive Implemented
The Revised Posted Workers Directive covers the following key topics for employers posting workers in the Netherlands:
To view entire article, click here.
United States, August 4, 2020
President Trump Orders Review of Foreign Hiring by Federal Contractors, Directs DHS and DOL to Increase Scrutiny of H-1B Program
To view entire article, click here.
United States, July 31, 2020
USCIS Provides Guidance on Public Charge Requirements in the Wake of a Federal Court Injunction
To view entire article, click here.
United States, July 31, 2020
USCIS Finalizes Significant Filing Fee Increases and Changes to its Current Fee Structure
To view entire article, click here.
Other Weekly News Briefs
Angola: Foreign Nationals Required to Open Local Bank Account – Effective August 29, 2020, foreign nationals working in Angola on an Employment Contract will be required to open a local bank account. Employers will pay the foreign national’s salary directly into their Angolan bank account following which the foreign national will be able to transfer the money to their home country account.
Australia: Review of the Skilled Migration Occupation Lists Likely Forthcoming – Following public consultation on proposed skilled occupation changes in early 2020, it was expected that the revised skilled occupation lists would be released in March 2020. However, this was delayed due to COVID-19. It is now expected that the government will soon conduct a significant review of the skilled occupation lists to ensure they are responsive to the labor market needs in light of the high unemployment rate in Australia due to COVID-19. In the current economic climate, any review of the skilled occupation list may result in a reduction to the number of skilled occupations. Should this occur, business’ ability to utilise the employer-sponsored temporary and permanent visa programs for certain occupations may be affected. As such, Fragomen advises businesses to consider their foreign temporary workforce to identify employees that will require further sponsored temporary visa or permanent residence. Fragomen can assist in this determination and in analyzing the new list when it is released. MARN: 0004980
Australia: New Online Process to Expedite COVID-19 Travel Exemption Requests – Foreign nationals traveling together or for the same purpose who are entering under an exemption to the COVID-19 travel ban can now use a new website to link their exemption applications to streamline processing. The website also allows for travel exemption requests to be lodged prior to visa application submission, which will also streamline processing. Fragomen can assist with these travel requests, since exemption applicants must present strong evidence that they qualify under the exemption. See Fragomen’s COVID-19 website for more information. MARN: 0004980
Lebanon: Government Offices Closed through at Least Next Week – Government agencies, including labour and immigration authorities, are closed until at least August 10 and possibly longer. Affected applicants should contact the relevant agency to determine the reopening date and the extent of related processing delays, if any. There are currently no changes to arrival and departure requirements for passengers travelling to and from Lebanon. However, travelers should confirm by contacting their airlines prior to departure for Lebanon.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.