Fragomen Immigration Update: January 8 - 15, 2015

This week in United States immigration news, the Obama Administration is forging ahead with its plans for administrative reforms to the U.S. immigration system, despite the passage of a Homeland Security spending bill that contains provisions to de-fund executive action on immigration by the House of Representatives, and a hearing in the federal district court filed by 25 U.S. states challenging executive action.

According to the State Department’s February 2015 Visa Bulletin, the immigrant visa cut-off for the EB-2 category will advance by more than six months for India, to September 1, 2005, and EB-2 China will move ahead by six weeks. EB-3 will advance by six months for China, to September 1, 2011, and seven months for most other countries, to January 1, 2014. EB-3 India will advance by one week, to December 22, 2003.

Citizens of Panama are now eligible to apply for membership in the United States’ Global Entry trusted traveler program. Successful applicants benefit from expedited immigration and customs clearance when entering the United States through a participating airport.

In Hong Kong, the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme was suspended January 15, 2015 until further notice. The suspension will not affect applications received or postmarked before January 15 or already-approved applications as of that date. There will be a transition period that will allow certain applications after the suspension date.

In Australia, the Department of Immigration and Border Protection is conducting a review of skilled migration and temporary entry visa programs. Recommendations include facilitating entry for short-term skilled work assignments and a key proposal which would eliminate the need for intracompany transferees to apply for subclass 457 visas for projects up to twelve months.

The Person of India Origin (PIO) card has been merged with Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card and the PIO category has been withdrawn with immediate effect.

Israel’s border control officers have partially suspended operations due to a strike. During the suspension, travelers should expect long lines at entry and departure points at Ben Gurion Airport.

These items and other news from Australia, Colombia, Israel 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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