Important Updates
Important Updates
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
August 1, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Enhanced Online Interview Feature for Certain Applications Forthcoming
August 1, 2025 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough
August 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Postpones TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
August 1, 2025 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Enhanced Online Interview Feature for Certain Applications Forthcoming
August 1, 2025 | United KingdomTimes Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough
August 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal District Court Postpones TPS Terminations for Honduras, Nepal, and Nicaragua
July 31, 2025 | United StatesLaw360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement
July 31, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Fragomen Immigration Update: May 6 - 12, 2016

May 13, 2016

insight-news-default

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
In United States immigration news this week, the cutoff dates for final issuance of an immigrant visa will retrogress by more than four years for EB-2 India and 20 months for EB-2 China, according to the State Department’s June Visa Bulletin.  EB-3 will retrogress by more than three years and seven months for China, but will advance modestly for India and the Philippines. EB-5 will advance by one week for China.
 
In Canada, the 2016 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program quota has been met for several streams, and therefore intake for some high-volume streams has been suspended for the year.  Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's selection process for the 33rd Express Entry draw continues to indicate flexibility.  
 
In Israel, sponsor affidavits are now required with each employee's individual B-1 work permit application. In Bahrain, employers can now apply for work permits even if they cannot comply with the relevant Bahrainization rate; however, they must pay an additional government fee during the application process. 
 
Employers in the United Arab Emirates must provide health insurance coverage to all residents and visitors by June 30, 2016 or incur fines and other penalties. 
 
The European Commission has proposed removing the tourist and business visa requirement for Turkish nationals traveling to EU member states and associated Schengen states, except for Ireland and the United Kingdom.
 
In Mozambique, minimum wages were increased in many key sectors.
 
These items and other news from Australia, the Dominican Republic, Israel and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
 
 
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
 
United States, May 6, 2016
June 2016 Visa Bulletin: Significant Retrogression for EB-2 China and India, EB-3 China
 
In June, the cutoff dates for final issuance of an immigrant visa will retrogress by more than four years for EB-2 India and 20 months for EB-2 China.  EB-3 will retrogress by more than three years and seven months for China, but will advance modestly for India and the Philippines.  EB-5 will advance by one week for China.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
Israel, May 12, 2016
Individual Sponsor Affidavit Now Required for Each Employee
 
The Semech affidavit - a document provided by the sponsoring company containing the company's legal obligations toward the foreign employee and Israel - must now be provided and signed with each employee's individual B-1 work permit application, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Interior.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
United Arab Emirates, May 11, 2016
Health Insurance Coverage to be Mandatory in Dubai
 
Employers in the Emirate of Dubai must provide health insurance coverage to all residents and visitors by June 30, 2016. Noncompliance with the regulation may result in fines and other penalties.
 
To view entire article, click here.
 
 
Dominican Republic, May 11, 2016
New Policy Streamlines Residence Permit Process
 
Foreign nationals seeking to obtain or renew a Temporary Residence or Investor's Residence permit can now provide proof of repatriation insurance instead of a series of documents required for each process.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
Canada, May 11, 2016
Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program Quota Met for Some Streams
 
The 2016 Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) quota has been met for several streams, and therefore intake for some high-volume streams such as the Employer Pre-screen, International Student - Masters Graduate stream and International Student - PhD Graduate stream, has been suspended for the year. Lower-volume streams of the OINP and other options continue to be available. It is expected that the province will reopen the OINP application period in the fall, once the 2017 nomination allocation is received.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
Israel, May 10, 2016
Government Offices Closed on May 12
 
Israeli government offices will be closed on May 12 for Israeli Independence Day. Work permits and visa applications will not be adjudicated in Israel and Israeli consular posts abroad may suspend their operations or conduct limited processing that day.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
Bahrain, May 10, 2016
Employers Noncompliant With Bahrainization Can Now Apply for Work Permits
 
Employers that do not comply with the relevant Bahrainization rate can now apply for work permits for foreign nationals, provided that they pay an additional government fee. In April 2017, this option is also expected to become available for employers that do not meet Bahrainization rates but that seek to renew work permits.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
Canada, May 6, 2016
Latest Express Entry Selection Shows Ongoing Flexibility
 
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will invite 799 candidates to apply for permanent residence in its most recent Express Entry draw, which ends tomorrow. The minimum score required to be invited to apply for permanent residence was increased in this round of invitation and subsequently, the number of candidates receiving those invitations has dropped from that seen in recent rounds of invitation.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
European Union/Turkey, May 6, 2016
Proposal Would Exempt Turkish Nationals from Schengen Visa Requirement
 
The European Commission has proposed to remove the tourist and business visa requirement for Turkish nationals traveling to EU member states and associated Schengen states (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) except for Ireland and the United Kingdom. Until the proposal is approved, Turkish nationals will require Schengen visas. If the proposal is approved, Turkey is expected to remove visa restrictions for nationals of EU member states and associated Schengen states.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
Mozambique, May 6, 2016
Minimum Wage Levels Increased
 
Minimum wages were increased between 3.6% and 12.5% in many key sectors on April 1, 2016, and are effective immediately and retrospectively.
 
To view entire article, click here. 
 
 
Other Immigration News This Week
 
United States: USCIS Updates H-2B Cap Count – USCIS reports that as of May 9, 2016, it had received filings on behalf of 36,150 H-2B beneficiaries for the second half of FY 2016. Of these, 31,637 had been approved and 4,513 remained 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.
 
Australia: Work and Holiday Visa Introduced for Israeli Nationals – Israeli nationals between the ages of 18 to 30 with secondary school qualifications and who have completed military service or are legally exempt from military service will be able to travel to Australia for up to one year, as part of  a new Work and Holiday Visa (subclass 462 visa) agreement between Australia and Israel. The visa allows work for any one employer for up to six months. Interested applicants should contact their immigration professional to discuss application options.
 
 
Global Immigration News Links
 
Representative Don Beyer (D-Va.) unveiled a bill that would ban religious discrimination in the context of immigration.
 
According to the Office for National Statistics, UK’s immigration statistics gap—the growing gap between headline official immigration statistics and the number of people arriving in the UK registering for National Insurance numbers, which are necessary to work and receive benefits in the UK—is largely due to a rise in the numbers of short-term migrants, the Wall Street Journal reports.
 
In the run up to the upcoming EU referendum, voters share their views on whether the UK should leave or remain with the EU. 
 
British travelers heading for the United States are now required to possess a modern electronic passport.
 
A Paris museum puts immigration back into French history, in an effort to provide education about immigrant communities that migrated to France and to integrate their histories into the national conversation. 
 
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
 
 
© 2016 Fragomen
 

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Arab News: Saudi Arabia’s High-End Dining Scene Fuels Culinary and Cultural RevivalLearn more

Awards

Fragomen Ranks as Band 1 in Chambers and Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025

Fragomen is ranked in Band 1 in Chambers & Partners High Net Worth Legal Guide 2025.

Learn more

Media mentions

Toronto Star: Ford and Other Premiers Want Provincial Work Permits for Refugee Claimants. It May Not Solve Anything

Partner Rick Lamanna discusses the potential option of decentralizing work permit issuance in Canada, emphasizing the need for clear coordination between the provincial and federal governments.

Learn more
Generic Insights

Video

Transfer Tactics & Talent Pipelines – The UK Angle with Alex Hood ⚽ | #FragomenFC - Ep. 10

Fragomen FC hosts are joined by Manager Alexander Hood to examine how immigration rules are reshaping global football, from EPL transfers to the rise of international transfers into the Women’s Super League.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: More Declines Loom in “Seriously Concerning” US Visa Trends

Partner Aaron Blumberg noted that enhanced screening measures, including social media vetting, may be contributing to delays in US student visa processing.

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: Immigration Reforms: What’s Next for Construction Employers?

Associate Ilaria Iovieno outlines how recent UK immigration reforms will impact construction employers and their ability to sponsor overseas talent.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.