Fragomen Immigration Update: October 24 - 31, 2014

In United States immigration news, foreign nationals have until Monday, November 3 at noon EST to register for the State Department’s FY 2016 Diversity Visa lottery.

Colombia introduced a new online system for employers and foreign employees working for Colombian companies to report employees’ immigration-related changes. The system is meant to enforce registration documentation and encourage professional licensing

In Israel, new regulations went into effect on October 28 that restrict re-entry on Short Employment Authorization (SEA) visas and prohibit future B-1 visa applications for SEA visa holders.

In Ireland, foreign nationals and employers can now enter scanned signatures in their work permit applications, in most cases.

In the Philippines, a new Alien Registration Program will eventually require certain foreign nationals working in the country to attend a biometrics appointment and obtain an identity card with a unique security number, according to new guidelines from the Bureau of Immigration. 

These items and other news from Argentina, Australia, Colombia, Hungary, Papua New Guinea and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, October 29, 2014

FY 2016 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Ends Monday, November 3

Entrants have until Monday, November 3, 2014 at noon EST to submit their online registration forms and accompanying digital photographs at the State Department’s official lottery website.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Colombia, October 30, 2014

Online Immigration Information System Introduced

Colombia has introduced a new online system for employers and foreign employees working for Colombian companies to report employees’ immigration-related changes. The system is meant to enforce registration and encourage professional licensing. Foreign employees will still have to register their visas in person at the Colombia Migration headquarters.

 

Israel, October 28, 2014

Short Employment Authorization Visa Restrictions Introduced

New regulations restricting re-entry on Short Employment Authorization (SEA) visas and prohibiting future B-1 visa applications for SEA visa holders will be effective starting October 28, 2014, according to a meeting with immigration authorities.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Philippines, October 27, 2014

New In-Person Registration Program for Foreign Nationals

A new Alien Registration Program will eventually require certain foreign nationals working in the Philippines to attend a biometrics appointment and obtain an identity card with a unique security number, according to new guidelines from the Bureau of Immigration. Although the Bureau initially announced that the program will be mandatory, the program is voluntary at this time for most foreign nationals.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Ireland, October 24, 2014

Scanned Signatures Allowed on Work Permit Applications

In most cases, foreign nationals and employers can now enter scanned signatures in their work permit applications.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Immigration News This Week

United States: USCIS Updates H-2B Cap Count – USCIS reports that as of October 24, 2014, it had received filings on behalf of 10,220 H-2B beneficiaries for the first half of FY 2015. Of these, 8,932 had been approved and 1,288 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. 

Argentina:In-Person Attendance Required for MERCOSUR Nationals Seeking Temporary Residence Renewals, 24H Visas – MERCOSUR nationals renewing Temporary Residence (23L) visas originally issued at consulates abroad and those seeking Transitory Residence (24H) visas must be present during the entire visa appointment to take photographs and undergo fingerprinting. Powers of attorney will no longer be accepted for representatives to complete visa administration on behalf of foreign nationals. Applicants should allow one to two hours for the appointment. 

Australia: SmartGate Technology Introduced for More Foreign Nationals – SmartGate automated border processing technology is now available on a trial basis to Canadian and Irish ePassport holders at all major Australian international airports. By early 2015, the trial will also open to ePassport holders from China, the Hong Kong Special Autonomous Region and Japan. SmartGate technology is currently available as a permanent arrangement to ePassport holders from Australia, New Zealand, UK, United States and Singapore. Work is being done to expand the service to Malaysian, Indian, French and Swiss ePassport holders. The expansion in SmartGate eligibility follows the government's announcement in September that next generation automated departures eGates would also be rolled out at each of Australia's eight major international airports in mid-2015. 

Australia/Papua New Guinea: Ebola-related Visa Restrictions Implemented in Australia; Papua New Guinea Conducting Health Screening – Australia is canceling and refusing temporary visas held by nationals from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone who are not yet traveling, and not processing new visa applications for nationals of the affected countries. Permanent visa holders who have yet to arrive in Australia must submit to a 21-day quarantine before departure. In Papua New Guinea, those who have traveled to the Ebola-affected countries may be subject to health screenings and additional questioning or may be refused entry. Refusal to comply with the health checks may result in penalties or refusal of entry. All visa applicants in Papua New Guinea must now fill out a health form indicating whether they have traveled to the affected countries in the last 21 days. 

Colombia: Deadline for Transfer to Biometric Passports Approaching – Colombian nationals must renew their passports before November 24, 2015 to include new biometric features which were implemented in August 2010. Those with passports without the biometric feature will not be able to travel internationally after November 24, 2015. Colombian nationals can renew their passports at any consulate or passport office in Colombia. Applicants can expect 15 business day-processing at consulates, and one to two business day-processing in Colombia. 

Hungary: Stricter Language Requirement Implemented for Citizenship Applicants – Citizenship applicants are subject to stricter Hungarian language proof requirements, according to a new regulation. Applicants must submit a signed declaration and accompanying oath in Hungarian, a resume in Hungarian, and have a discussion in Hungarian with the officer accepting the application. The prior process was the same, but was not strictly enforced. Although the regulation has not yet been and may not be published, it has been implemented in practice. The regulation stems from several cases of abuse of Hungarian naturalization.

 

Global Immigration News Links 

• Immigration reform advocates continue to urge and pressure President Obama to include an expansive executive order on immigration reform by the end of the year.
• Ex-Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano who oversaw DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) - the directive that gave young immigrants reprieve from deportation - showed support for President Obama’s planned executive action on immigration.
• Time Magazine discusses actions that Republicans might take in response to an executive order by President Obama to grant amnesty.
• Swiss business leaders and politicians are urging the voting population to reject a referendum that would limit immigration and impact the Swiss economy. Polls show that the majority of Swiss voters are against such proposals.
• Bloomberg View dispels public (mis)perceptions on immigration in the United Kingdom and elsewhere.
• Former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair warned of the adverse economical and political consequences of curbing immigration would have on the region.
• As a new program in the UK that requires landlords to verify the immigration status of tenants goes into effect in December, landlords will be supported by a system called Ready Rentals to follow the new protocols.

 

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