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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Blog post
The UK expands its High Potential Individual (HPI) visa for 2025, broadening eligibility for global graduates and entrepreneurs while introducing new requirements and application caps
Video
The latest Mobility Minute features Manager Alex Hood discussing recent updates to the UK’s High Potential Individual route, including expanded university eligibility, a new annual cap and modernized governance measures.
Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Khan discusses how the UAE’s flexible migration policies attract talent and support a competitive labour market.
Media mentions
Senior Counsel Mitch Wexler notes that the US expansion of social-media screening to H-1B and H-4 visa applicants will involve a more detailed review of their online activity.
Media mentions
Partner Edward Raleigh highlights the need for companies to prepare for increased H-1B enforcement and ensure compliance with US worker requirements.
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In this Mobility Minute, Associate Rebeca Lafond outlines key considerations for international travel to the United States during the holiday season, including documentation requirements, visa processing expectations and enhanced screening on entry.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
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