This week in United States immigration news, the State Department issued the January Visa Bulletin, which announced that the immigrant visa cut-off for the EB-3 category will advance by nine months for China, to March 1, 2011, and seven months for most other countries, to June 1, 2013. In H-1B news, employers are beginning to prepare for the FY 2016 H-1B cap filing season, which will open on Wednesday, April 1, 2015. Though April 1 is several months away, it is not too early for organizations to begin assessing their H-1B needs and making initial preparations for filing.
Russia will be soon implement new work permit rules and changes to the Highly Qualified Specialist visa program. In Italy, foreign nationals who fail to register at their local police headquarters may incur fines.
Effective January 1, 2015, employers of foreign nationals assigned to projects in Austria will see new regulatory provisions, which affect minimum salary compliance and KIAB declarations for EU/EEC/Swiss-based employers.
Saudi Arabia is increasing the percentage of Saudi workers that certain organizations – including large IT companies and financial institutions – must employ, and is subjecting more industries to the requirement. In the United Arab Emirates, the TECOM Freezone has launched a mandatory online portal for immigration services.
These items and other news from Australia, India, Russia, South Africa, Turkey 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.
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Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
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Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
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Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
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Media mentions
Partners Isha Atassi and Rahul Soni discuss US investment-based immigration options for Middle Eastern investors.
Blog post
Partner Ali Haider, Director Shoaib Khaleeli, Manager Ruaida Hussein and Senior Immigration Consultant Katerina Hornickova examine why degree equivalency has become mandatory in the United Arab Emirates and how the process affects employment, professional licensing and visa eligibility.
Video
Senior Associate Isabel Schnitzler explains key eligibility requirements for naturalization in Germany, including residence, language proficiency and financial self-sufficiency, as well as family eligibility considerations.
Media mentions
Partner Bo Cooper explains the impact of wage‑weighted selection on H‑1B registration and compliance.
Media mentions
Partner Aaron Blumberg explains how heightened government scrutiny affecting students from countries such as Venezuela is shaping travel guidance for those studying in the US.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh highlights how recent H-1B changes are shaping employer compliance strategies.
Media mentions
Practice Leader Colm Collins explains that processing delays, shifting demand in information and communication technology (ICT) and renewal cycles contributed to last year’s drop in work permit approvals.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna examines current pressures on Canada’s immigration system, including processing delays, reduced admissions and policy uncertainty and the implications for applicants and employers.
Blog post
Manager Mihaela Dumitru outlines how Swiss authorities assess Employer of Record and body-leasing models, highlighting key compliance risks, licensing requirements and a regulatory update affecting EU and EFTA nationals effective 1 January 2026.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter discusses how courts in Poland are reinforcing timely processing and constitutional protections for foreigners.
Fragomen news