Fragomen Immigration Update: July 31 - August 6, 2015
August 7, 2015
In United States immigration news this week, U.S. consulates worldwide are suspending visa appointments on August 7 and 10 and rescheduling visa applicants for later dates. The State Department is performing maintenance on its consular systems during this time.
India expanded its e-Tourist Visa program to applicants from China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region. Also in India, overseas citizens of India (OCIs) who obtain new passports can travel with their OCI booklet and passport, and no longer need to carry their old passport with universal visa endorsement.
The third-quarter quota for L-Permits in Switzerland – reserved for EU nationals on assignments lasting more than four months – has been exhausted. Employers must wait until October 1, 2015 to send EU nationals on assignment to Switzerland.
Effective immediately, Ukrainian nationals can only remain in Russia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a work or residency permit. They are no longer eligible for indefinite extensions after the expiration of their original 90-day stay period.
These items and other news from Turkey and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
United States, August 5, 2015
United States, August 5, 2015
State Department Confirms Worldwide Suspension of Visa Appointments on August 7 and 10
Foreign nationals with U.S. visa appointments scheduled for August 7 or 10 will have their appointments rescheduled while the State Department performs consular system maintenance. Emergency services should remain available during the suspension.
To view entire article, click here.
Russia, August 6, 2015
Ukrainian Nationals No Longer Eligible for Extensions of Stay
Effective immediately, Ukrainian nationals can only remain in Russia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a work or residency permit. Prior to this rule change, Ukrainian nationals working in Russia were eligible for indefinite extensions after the expiration of their original 90-day stay period due to a grace period in effect since 2014.
To view entire article, click here.
Switzerland, August 5, 2015
Third Quarter Quota for EU Nationals Exhausted
The quota for L-Permits for EU nationals on assignments lasting more than four months has been exhausted. Employers must wait until October 1, 2015 to send EU nationals on assignment to Switzerland.
To view entire article, click here.
India, August 4, 2015
OCI and OCI in Lieu of PIO Card Holders Can Travel Without Universal Visa
Foreign nationals who apply for new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards or for the new category of OCI in lieu of Person of India Origin (PIO) cards will no longer be issued Universal (U) visa stickers in their passport but will instead only be issued an OCI booklet. Those with new passports will no longer have to carry their old passports bearing the U visa endorsement.
To view entire article, click here.
Turkey, July 31, 2015
Residence Permit Applicants Facing Delays Due to Online System Error
Foreign nationals in Istanbul attempting to book initial residence permit appointments for their dependents on the Istanbul Migration Directorate website are likely to face delays as the system has not displayed any available appointment dates for several days. A solution is not expected soon as many government offices will be understaffed for the next month.
To view entire article, click here.
India, July 31, 2015
e-Tourist Visa Extended to China, Hong Kong and Macau
India has expanded its e-Tourist Visa (eTV) program to applicants from China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region. Visitors eligible for the eTV include those traveling to sightsee, visit friends or relatives or to make short medical visits. Business visitors are also eligible for the program.
To view entire article, click here.
Foreign nationals with U.S. visa appointments scheduled for August 7 or 10 will have their appointments rescheduled while the State Department performs consular system maintenance. Emergency services should remain available during the suspension.
To view entire article, click here.
Russia, August 6, 2015
Ukrainian Nationals No Longer Eligible for Extensions of Stay
Effective immediately, Ukrainian nationals can only remain in Russia for up to 90 days in a 180-day period without a work or residency permit. Prior to this rule change, Ukrainian nationals working in Russia were eligible for indefinite extensions after the expiration of their original 90-day stay period due to a grace period in effect since 2014.
To view entire article, click here.
Switzerland, August 5, 2015
Third Quarter Quota for EU Nationals Exhausted
The quota for L-Permits for EU nationals on assignments lasting more than four months has been exhausted. Employers must wait until October 1, 2015 to send EU nationals on assignment to Switzerland.
To view entire article, click here.
India, August 4, 2015
OCI and OCI in Lieu of PIO Card Holders Can Travel Without Universal Visa
Foreign nationals who apply for new Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards or for the new category of OCI in lieu of Person of India Origin (PIO) cards will no longer be issued Universal (U) visa stickers in their passport but will instead only be issued an OCI booklet. Those with new passports will no longer have to carry their old passports bearing the U visa endorsement.
To view entire article, click here.
Turkey, July 31, 2015
Residence Permit Applicants Facing Delays Due to Online System Error
Foreign nationals in Istanbul attempting to book initial residence permit appointments for their dependents on the Istanbul Migration Directorate website are likely to face delays as the system has not displayed any available appointment dates for several days. A solution is not expected soon as many government offices will be understaffed for the next month.
To view entire article, click here.
India, July 31, 2015
e-Tourist Visa Extended to China, Hong Kong and Macau
India has expanded its e-Tourist Visa (eTV) program to applicants from China, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and Macau Special Administrative Region. Visitors eligible for the eTV include those traveling to sightsee, visit friends or relatives or to make short medical visits. Business visitors are also eligible for the program.
To view entire article, click here.
Other Immigration News This Week
United States:Approved PERM Applications and LCAs Will No Longer Contain DOL Official’s Signature – The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has implemented a change in the official signature on approved labor certifications and labor condition applications (LCAs). As of July 31, 2015, the electronic signature on approved PERM applications; H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 LCAs; and H-2A and H-2B temporary labor certifications will be shown as "Certifying Officer." The electronic signature of the OFLC Acting Administrator, William W. Thompson, II, will no longer appear on certified applications.
United States:Approved PERM Applications and LCAs Will No Longer Contain DOL Official’s Signature – The Department of Labor’s Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) has implemented a change in the official signature on approved labor certifications and labor condition applications (LCAs). As of July 31, 2015, the electronic signature on approved PERM applications; H-1B, H-1B1 and E-3 LCAs; and H-2A and H-2B temporary labor certifications will be shown as "Certifying Officer." The electronic signature of the OFLC Acting Administrator, William W. Thompson, II, will no longer appear on certified applications.
DOL has notified USCIS of the change for purposes of Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker and Form I-140 immigrant visa petitions.
Turkey: Upcoming Holiday Closures – Turkish government offices will likely be closed September 23 – 27, 2015 and October 28 – 29, 2015 in observance of Turkish holidays. Delays will likely follow the reopening of offices. Foreign nationals seeking services at Turkish consulates worldwide during this time should check with their respective consulate ahead of the expected closures. Foreign nationals seeking government services in Turkey during this time should submit applications in advance to avoid delays.
Global Immigration News Links
FWD.us launched a new tool that tracks what 2016 presidential candidates are saying about immigration.
Firms in the United States continue to experience a shortage of skilled workers, according to a July 2015 National Association for Business Economics Business Conditions Survey. The shortage covers multiple professions in various industries and has several causes. The survey found that more than 35 percent of respondents reported their firms experienced shortages of skilled labor during the quarter ending in June, up from 25 percent in the quarter ending in March.
New UK immigration proposals require landlords to check migrants' status in advance and to evict tenants when they no longer have the right to rent property.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
FWD.us launched a new tool that tracks what 2016 presidential candidates are saying about immigration.
Firms in the United States continue to experience a shortage of skilled workers, according to a July 2015 National Association for Business Economics Business Conditions Survey. The shortage covers multiple professions in various industries and has several causes. The survey found that more than 35 percent of respondents reported their firms experienced shortages of skilled labor during the quarter ending in June, up from 25 percent in the quarter ending in March.
New UK immigration proposals require landlords to check migrants' status in advance and to evict tenants when they no longer have the right to rent property.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
© 2015 Fragomen
