Fragomen Immigration Update: February 19 - 25, 2016
February 26, 2016
In United States immigration news this week, nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who have traveled to Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 1, 2011 are now prohibited from using the program unless they qualify for an exemption or obtain a waiver.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced legislation to amend the Citizenship Act, with the goal of allowing more foreign nationals to become Canadian citizens. IRC Canada's selection process for the Express Entry draw continues to indicate flexibility. Employers in Malaysia registered with the Expatriate Services Division can now place eligible international students in certain short-term projects under a Social Visit Pass (SVP) through the SVP - International Students Mobility Program. Indonesia launched a new Limited Stay Permit online application portal, which is expected to streamline the KITAS application process.
Person of India Origin (PIO) card holders are advised to apply for Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) in lieu of PIO cards prior to March 31, 2016 in the absence of clear guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
Effective July 1, 2017, eligible New Zealand nationals currently in Australia holding a Special Category Visa will be eligible to apply for permanent residence under a new stream in the Skilled Independent visa category.
These items and other news from Australia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Hungary and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
United States, February 19, 2016
U.S. Government Broadens Visa Waiver Program Restrictions
Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries who have traveled to Libya, Somalia or Yemen since March 1, 2011 are now prohibited from using the program unless they qualify for an exemption or obtain a waiver. Individuals subject to VWP travel restrictions must obtain a B-1/B-2 visa from a U.S. consulate to visit the United States for business or tourism.
To view entire article, click here.
Canada, February 25, 2016
Proposed Amendment Seeks to Relax Citizenship Eligibility Rules
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has introduced legislation to amend the Citizenship Act, with the goal of allowing more foreign nationals to become Canadian citizens by easing residency, language knowledge and other requirements.
To view entire article, click here.
Canada, February 24, 2016
Latest Express Entry Selection Shows Ongoing Flexibility
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will invite 1,484 candidates to apply for permanent residence in its most recent Express Entry draw, which ends tomorrow. The selection process continues to indicate flexibility since IRCC is selecting candidates who do not have a valid Labour Market Impact Assessment or Provincial Nomination approval at the time their profile is selected.
To view entire article, click here.
India, February 24, 2016
Reminder - PIO Card Holders Are Advised to Switch to OCI in Lieu of PIO Cards
Following the merger of the Person of India Origin (PIO) card and the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card in January 2015, PIO card holders are advised to apply for OCI in lieu of PIO cards prior to March 31, 2016 in the absence of clear guidelines from the Ministry of Home Affairs.
To view entire article, click here.
Malaysia, February 23, 2016
New Sponsorship Program for International Students
Employers registered with the Expatriate Services Division can now place eligible international students in short-term projects involving training, internships or other qualifying activities under the new Social Visit Pass - International Students Mobility Program.
To view entire article, click here.
Australia, February 23, 2016
New Zealand Nationals to be Eligible for New Permanent Residence Visa Category
On or after July 1, 2017, eligible New Zealand nationals currently in Australia holding a Special Category Visa who meet residence and income requirements will be eligible for a new permanent residence visa in the Skilled Independent visa category, which also provides a path to citizenship.
To view entire article, click here.
Czech Republic, February 23, 2016
Visa Processing Delayed
Due to significant visa processing delays, start dates will likely be delayed for assignments in the Czech Republic.
To view entire article, click here.
Indonesia, February 19, 2016
New Online Permit Application System Launched
Due to a new online application portal, Limited Stay Permit applicants should expect processing delays during the next few weeks. Employees should work with their immigration professionals to file Limited Stay Permit applications as soon as possible following their arrival in Indonesia.
To view entire article, click here.
Other Immigration News This Week
Australia/Hungary: Hungary Joins Australian Work and Holiday Visa Program – Hungary is the latest country to sign the reciprocal agreement to participate in the Australian Work and Holiday Visa program (subclass 462 visa). When the program is fully implemented, nationals from each country ages 18 to 30 will be able to travel to the other country to study and work for up to one year. Interested participants should contact their immigration professional to discuss eligibility criteria and the application process.
Dominican Republic: Exit Procedures Change, Requiring Earlier Submission of Departure Document – Effective immediately, employers will now remain responsible as a sponsor and for foreign workers' deportation expenses, if necessary, until the immigration authorities issue a document approving the departure process (Retiro de Garantia), instead of at the point of submission of the departure document. The document approving the departure process is usually issued within 45 calendar days of submission. Employers should work with their immigration professional to submit their departure documents as soon as the termination/resignation date is known.
United States: USCIS Updates H-2B Cap Count – USCIS reports that as of February 22, 2016, it had received filings on behalf of 36,688 H-2B beneficiaries for the first half of FY 2016. Of these, 26,384 had been approved and 10,304 remained pending. For the second half of FY 2016, USCIS received filings on behalf of 334 H-2B beneficiaries, which remain 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.
Global Immigration News Links
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton told Nevada voters that she would address immigration reform in the first 100 days of her presidency, the Huffington Post reports.
New York Times columnist David Brooks urges the GOP to work on sensible reforms to the U.S. immigration system, and decries the party’s anti-immigrant rhetoric.
Net migration to Britain from the European Union rose nearly nine percent in one year, according to recently released official data, putting pressure on British Prime Minister David Cameron in advance of a vote on European Union membership.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
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