Fragomen Immigration Update: August 8 - 15, 2014

In U.S. immigration news, the State Department will advance the EB-2 India priority date cut-off by more than three months, to May 1, 2009, and EB-3 Philippines will advance by ten months, to April 1, 2011. No other backlogged employment-based immigrant visa categories will advance in September. 

All non-EU nationals seeking to work in Hungary for up to 90 days must obtain a work permit and a type D visa prior to travel, including individuals who are typically visa exempt for short-term visits. 

EU companies posting workers to France must comply with stricter reporting requirements, while the French companies that receive posted workers must comply with tougher verification requirements. Penalties for noncompliance have increased for both the sending and receiving companies. 

Individuals applying to legalize academic credentials at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in New Delhi are no longer required to provide a verification letter from the academic institution. 

These items and other news from Canada, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update. 

Remember that the Immigration Update is available through both e-mail and Web version by clicking on "View as Web Page" above.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, August 12, 2014

September 2014 Visa Bulletin: Further Advancement for EB-2 India, But No Movement for Most Other EB Categories

In September, the priority date cut-off for EB-2 India will advance by more than three months, to May 1, 2009, but could be retrogressed as early as November 2014. EB-3 Philippines will advance by ten months, to April 1, 2011. No other backlogged employment-based immigrant visa categories will advance in September.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Arab Emirates, August 14, 2014

Ministry of Interior Announces Several Major Immigration Reforms

Among the reforms are new multiple-entry visas for business visits and a new entry permit to facilitate cross-border business with neighboring countries. Full details of the reforms are expected in the near future.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Arab Emirates, August 14, 2014

Degree Legalization Requirements Eased at UAE Embassy in India

Individuals applying to legalize academic credentials at the United Arab Emirates Embassy in New Delhi are no longer required to obtain a verification letter, which should alleviate processing delays.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Hungary, August 14, 2014

Work Permit and Visa Required for All Short-Term Employment Stays

All non-EU nationals seeking to work in Hungary for up to 90 days must obtain a work permit and a type D visa prior to travel, including individuals who are typically visa exempt for short-term visits.

To view entire article, click here.

 

France, August 12, 2014

Stricter Requirements for Posting Workers; Increased Penalties for Noncompliance

EU companies posting workers to France must comply with stricter reporting requirements, while the French companies that receive the posted workers must comply with tougher verification requirements. Potential penalties for noncompliance have increased for both the sending and receiving companies.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Immigration News This Week

United States: USCIS Updates H-2B Cap Count – USCIS continues to accept H-2B petitions for employment start dates in the second half of FY 2014. The agency reports that as of August 8, 2014, it had received filings on behalf of 26,677 H-2B beneficiaries for the second half of FY 2014. Of these, 25,442 had been approved and 1,235 remained pending. For employment in the first half of FY 2015, the agency had received filings on behalf of 2,262 beneficiaries. Of these, 1,312 had been approved and 950 remained pending. The cap for each half-year is 33,000, but USCIS accepts filings in excess of the cap because some cases will be denied or withdrawn and because employers may ultimately employ fewer H-2B beneficiaries than reflected in their petitions.

Canada: Quebec Implements Federal Limits on Immigration Benefits for Children - As of August 1, children aged 19 and over no longer qualify for immigration benefits as dependents under any immigration program in Quebec. As previously reported, federal authorities in Canada implemented similar restrictions on August 1, 2014, but Quebec officials had not clarified until now that it would also implement the new age limits. Under the new rules, Canadian citizens and permanent residents may sponsor children aged 19 and older for immigration benefits as dependents only if they are financially dependent on their parents due to mental or physical disabilities. There will be no exceptions to the maximum age for full-time students.

 

Global Immigration News Links 

• An Economic Policy Institute report dispels certain misconceptions about the U.S. immigrant population and the economy.
• The first day of surge docket hearings - an initiative by the federal government to expedite legal processing for unaccompanied minors – took place at federal immigration court in New York City.
• Foreign investors are planning to sue the Canadian government over the termination of an immigrant investor program that left thousands of applicants – mostly Chinese nationals – in the lurch.
• Vancouver is seeing a tech industry boom as companies hampered by stalled U.S. immigration reform set up shop in what some are calling Silicon Valley North.
• Australia has seen a seven to nine percent decline in approval rates for the Subclass 457 professional visa since labor market test requirements were put in place earlier this year.

 

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