Fragomen Immigration Update: June 3 - June 10, 2016
June 10, 2016
In United States immigration news this week, the cutoff dates for final issuance of an immigrant visa will advance modestly for EB-2 and EB-3 India and EB-3 Philippines, according to the State Department’s July Visa Bulletin. For China, final action cutoff dates will remain unchanged for EB-3 professional and skilled workers, as well as for EB-2 and EB-5 workers, but will retrogress by three years for EB-3 other workers.
In the European Union, the European Commission adopted a proposal to improve the EU Blue Card scheme. Foreign nationals in Denmark will be subject to a higher minimum salary to qualify for a residence and work permit under the Pay Limit scheme for new applications filed on or after June 10, 2016.
South African visa applicants in India must now submit their applications to a VFS office in India instead of an Indian consular post.
In the United Arab Emirates, employment visa applicants from certain countries will soon have to process their immigration applications through designated UAE consular service centers in their home country before entering the UAE.
These items and other news from Nigeria, Panama, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
United States, June 8, 2016
July 2016 Visa Bulletin: Modest Advancement in EB-2 and EB-3 India While China Largely Holds Steady to June Dates
In July, the cutoff dates for final issuance of an immigrant visa will advance by one month for EB-2 and EB-3 India. Final action cutoff dates for China will remain unchanged for EB-3 professional and skilled workers, as well as for EB-2 and EB-5 workers, but will retrogress by three years for EB-3 other workers. Retrogression for EB-1 China and India is expected in the coming months.
To view entire article, click here.
European Union, June 9, 2016
European Commission Adopts Proposal for EU Blue Card Scheme Improvements
To attract highly-skilled foreign workers to the European Union, the European Commission has adopted a proposal to improve the EU Blue Card scheme by relaxing existing eligibility provisions, improving intra-mobility rights of workers in the European Union and reducing processing times, among other improvements.
To view entire article, click here.
Panama, June 8, 2016
Employers of Multinational Visa Holders Must Now Return Identification Cards
Host employers must now return SEM (Multinational) visa holders' identification cards when notifying the immigration authorities of the end of the assignment so that the National Migration Service can cancel the foreign worker's visa. The deadline for notification is 20 business days from the end of the assignment. Failure to cancel a visa may subject the foreign worker to fines and/or re-entry issues.
To view entire article, click here.
South Africa/India, June 6, 2016
South African Visa Applications in India Must be Submitted to VFS
Effective immediately, South African visa applicants in India must submit their applications to a VFS office in India instead of to an Indian consular post. VFS assists consular posts in high-volume cities to process visa applications.
To view entire article, click here.
Denmark, June 6, 2016
Pay Limit Scheme Minimum Salary Level to be Increased
Foreign nationals must earn at least DKK 400,000 per year to qualify for a residence and work permit under the Pay Limit scheme for new applications filed on or after June 10, 2016.
To view entire article, click here.
Nigeria, June 6, 2016
New Registration Requirements Introduced for Oil and Gas Sector Companies
Oil and gas sector companies seeking work permits on or after June 6, 2016 must provide evidence of registration with the Nigerian Content and Development Management Board (NCDMB), and those involved in engineering projects must register with the Council for the Regulations of Engineering in Nigeria (COREN).
To view entire article, click here.
United Arab Emirates, June 6, 2016
Consular Process to be Required for Some Employment Visa Applicants
Employment visa (entry permit) applicants from certain countries will soon have to process their immigration applications through designated UAE service centers in their home country before entering the UAE. The implementation of this rule will take place in phases, and further details on the rule are expected in the coming months.
To view entire article, click here.
Other Immigration News This Week
Philippines: Potential Processing Changes and Delays Ahead – Immigration process and requirements will likely change due to recent national elections that have resulted in new government leadership. This may cause potential application processing delays at the Department of Labor and Employment and Department of Justice (which heads the Bureau of Immigration). Fragomen will report on process changes and delays that occur.
United Arab Emirates: Deadline Extended for Health Insurance Coverage for Dependents – The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has extended the deadline for foreign nationals to provide health insurance coverage to their sponsored dependents or domestic helpers until December 31, 2016. Noncompliance with the regulation may result in severe fines or denial of the immigration application. Employers in Dubai must still cover their employees under qualified health insurance plans by June 30, 2016, as was originally announced by the DHA.
United Kingdom: Certain Business Travelers and Tourists Eligible for Updated Electronic Visa Waiver Program – Omani, Qatari and United Arab Emirates nationals seeking to enter the United Kingdom for business or tourism up to six months can now benefit from an updated electronic visa waiver program called EVW II, for which Kuwaiti nationals have been eligible since February 2016. Travelers under the EVW II must fill out an online form and scan a copy of their passport biographic data page at least 48 hours prior to travel. Travelers under the program avoid a biometrics appointment and a visit to a visa application center. The waiver offers a single entry and costs GBP 15. This program is a streamlined version of the first iteration of the program, launched in 2014.
Global Immigration News Links
Online searches and applications for U.S. citizenship have been higher in the past few months than at any time during the 2012 presidential election cycle, according to data from Google and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
A Brexit could be bad news for those hoping to curb immigration to Switzerland, Business Insider reports.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
