Fragomen Immigration Update: April 29 - May 5, 2016

In United States immigration news this week, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proposed an increase in the filing fees for many employment-based petitions and applications.  Filing fees would increase by an average of 21 percent if the proposed revisions are implemented. 

The U.S. State Department has selected the winners of the FY 2017 Diversity Visa Lottery.  Lottery entrants must check the State Department’s official Diversity Visa Lottery website to learn whether they have been chosen.  Successful entrants can submit an application for permanent residence during FY 2017, which begins on October 1, 2016.

The quota for the CzechRepublic’s Fast Track program quota has almost been reached.  In Denmark, technical problems shut down the electronic visa application system, making it impossible to process visas at Danish consular posts or at the Danish Immigration Service or to access or submit immigration forms on the visa website.

In the Dominican Republic, an expedited processing option for the Residence Permit application has been introduced.

These items and other news from Australia, Ecuador and Indonesia follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, May 5, 2016

U.S. State Department Selects FY 2017 Diversity Visa Lottery Winners

Lottery entrants must check the State Department’s official Diversity Visa Lottery website to learn whether they have been chosen.  The State Department does not send direct notification to lottery winners.  Successful entrants can submit an application for permanent residence during FY 2017, which begins on October 1, 2016.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, May 3, 2016

USCIS Seeks Immigration Filing Fee Increase

Filing fees for most USCIS petitions and applications would increase by an average of 21 percent if proposed revisions to the agency's fee schedule are implemented.  The most substantial increases would be imposed on EB-5 investor and Regional Center filings.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Czech Republic, May 3, 2016

Fast Track Program Quota Almost Exceeded

The Fast Track program quota has almost been reached.  The Ministry of Industry and Trade accepts 100 applications for the program and the quota is expected to be met in July or August.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Denmark, May 2, 2016

Electronic Visa Application System Shutdown to Cause Delays

Technical problems have shut down Denmark's electronic visa application system, making it impossible to process visas at Danish consular posts or at the Danish Immigration Service or to access or submit immigration forms on the visa website. Additionally, travelers into and out of Denmark may be subject to added security measures since the technical problems have affected the Visa Information System.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Dominican Republic, April 29, 2016

Expedited Residence Permit Processing Option to be Introduced

On May 1, 2016, the Dominican Republic will introduce an expedited processing option for the Residence Permit application, which will reduce the current processing time of four to six months to 40 business days.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Immigration News This Week

Australia: Temporary Work Visa Processing Delayed - Subclass 457 Work Visa processing times have increased from four to six weeks to up to nine weeks. It is not clear when the delay will be resolved, but applicants should consider the delay in their start date and travel plans. MARN: 1461596.

Ecuador: Change of Status Process Restrictions Implemented -  According to an unofficial policy change by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dependents can no longer file their visa applications concurrently with the principal applicant, and must instead enter as a tourist and change their status to dependent after the principal applicant has received his/her passport containing a visa. It takes approximately five to eight business days to complete the change of status process once the application is filed.

Additionally, tourists can now only change their status from tourist to another visa category (e.g. short- and long-term work visas) if their status expires in 30 or more days. Previously, tourists were able to change their status up until the last day of their tourist visa validity period.

Lastly, visa nationals seeking a work visa in country are advised to enter Ecuador under an Acts of Commerce Visa, and not under tourist status, to change their status to a work visa.

Indonesia:Visa-Free Program Expanded - Nationals from a total of 169 countries are now eligible to enter Indonesia without a visa according to a recently-signed regulation.  Although the regulation is silent on the allowable activities under this status, the previous version of the law restricted its use to tourism. Fragomen therefore recommends that eligible business travelers continue to use the Visa-on-Arrival facility, or apply for a Business Visa at an Indonesian consular post abroad prior to travel.  Visa-exempt nationals can enter through a total of 124 air, land, and sea ports.
                                           

Global Immigration News Links

U.S. lawmakers from both parties are quietly launching a new effort to expand visas for low-skilled foreign workers in government funding bills, a push that could drive a deep ideological rift through both parties later this year.

Foreign students caught up in the Department of Homeland Security’s recent student visa fraud sting operation face deportation.
 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

© 2016 Fragomen