Fragomen Immigration Update: July 29 - August 4, 2016

In United States immigration news this week, eligible F-1 students holding a 17-month STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) extension have until August 8 to request an additional seven months of STEM OPT; USCIS will reject filings received after that date.

In Israel, a one-year pilot program allows spouses of B-1 Foreign Expert Visa holders to obtain employment authorization without a separate employment sponsorship.

According to a new law, companies sending workers to provide short-term services to a client or affiliate in Poland must now submit a new employer statement. Companies with workers already in Poland have until September 18, 2016 to submit the employer statement. 

These items and other news from China, Ireland, Russia and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, August 2, 2016
Deadline to Apply for an Additional 7 Months of STEM Optional Practical Training is August 8

Eligible F-1 students holding a 17-month STEM OPT extension have until Monday, August 8, 2016 to file a request for an additional 7 months of STEM OPT. USCIS will reject filings received after August 8.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Poland, August 2, 2016
New Statement and Record Keeping Requirements for Posted Workers

Companies sending workers to provide short-term services to a client or affiliate in Poland must now submit a new employer statement by the employee's start date and must notify the authorities within seven business days of any changes to such a statement. Companies with workers already in Poland have until September 18, 2016 to submit the employer statement.  There are also new recordkeeping and information change notification requirements.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Israel, August 1, 2016
Foreign Experts’ Spouses Can Work Under Derivative Visa

Spouses of B-1 Foreign Expert Visa holders can work in Israel under a one-year pilot program that qualifies the spouse for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) that does not require sponsorship. The duration of stay under the Spouse EAD is the same as that of the principal visa holder, which is currently one year, renewable annually for up to five years and three months total.  Spouses under the new EAD can work part time or full time, in an office or remotely.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Immigration News This Week

United States: DHS Extends and Redesignates Syria TPS – The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended the designation of and redesignated Syria for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for eighteen months, from October 1, 2016 through March 31, 2018.

Current Syria registrants will have from August 1, 2016 through September 30, 2016 to re-register. USCIS will issue new EADs with a March 31, 2018 expiration date to eligible Syria TPS beneficiaries who timely re-register and apply for EADs under this extension. DHS recognizes that not all re-registrants will receive new EADs before their current EADS expire on September 30, 2016. Accordingly, DHS will automatically extend the validity of EADs issued under the TPS designation of Syria for six months, through March 31, 2017. For Form I-9 employment eligibility verification purposes, through March 31, 2017, employers may accept a TPS-related EAD with a September 30, 2016 expiration date, along with a copy of the most recent Federal Register notice extending Syria TPS.

Under the redesignation, certain nationals of Syria (or those having no nationality who last habitually resided in Syria) who have not previously applied for TPS may be eligible to submit an initial application during the 180-day initial registration period that runs from August 1, 2016 through January 30, 2017. In addition to demonstrating continuous residence in the United States since August 1, 2016, and meeting other eligibility TPS criteria, initial applicants for TPS under this redesignation must demonstrate continuous physically presence in the United States since October 1, 2016, the effective date of this redesignation of Syria, before USCIS may grant them TPS.  

China: New Requirements for Z Visa Invitation Letter – Foreign nationals seeking a Z visa Invitation Letter (IL) in the Shanghai Puxi Area can expect processing times of eight to ten business days, instead of the previous three to five business days, due to an additional step added to the process.  In order to apply for an IL, sponsors registered in Shanghai Puxi Area must now provide stamped company application documents signed by the company representative to the immigration authority. Previously, documents did not have to be stamped or signed by the company representative. Sponsors should contact their immigration professional to ensure that IL applications are properly managed.

Ireland: New Online Appointment System Forthcoming for GNIB Cards at Burgh Quay - A new online system for scheduling immigration registration at the Garda National Immigration Bureau's (GNIB) office at Burgh Quay in Dublin is expected to be introduced later this month. All appointments scheduled on or after September 1 will have to be booked online. Once the system is live, foreign nationals will likely no longer be able to appear in person without an appointment. Appointments will be offered in one-hour time slots. Once the appointment is scheduled, a confirmation email will be sent containing a link to a list of required documents. Those who are renewing their GNIB cards should select an appointment date in the two-week period before their card expires. Those registering at offices outside of Dublin do not need to use this system. This change is being implemented as part of an upcoming transfer of the GNIB's functions to the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS).

Russia: Government Fees Must be Paid from Corporate Bank Account – Effective immediately, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOF) will only accept government fees from the corporate bank account for foreign nationals' work permit applications. Previously, the MOF accepted payment from the bank accounts of company representatives. Employers should arrange for all government fees for work permit applications to be paid from a corporate bank account.

 

Global Immigration News Links

The New York Times provides a few simple truths on immigration.

The Partnership for a New American Economy has launched a 2017 immigration reform drive.

Once Britain exits the European Union, low-skilled immigrants are most likely to leave, the Chicago Tribune opines.

MPs have warned that Britain faces a surge in European Union migrants before leaving the bloc unless Prime Minister Theresa May enforces a cut-off date on those arriving.

 

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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