Fragomen Immigration Update: September 19 - 26, 2014

In United States immigration news, the State Department will begin accepting online registrations for the Fiscal Year 2016 Diversity Visa Lottery starting Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at noon EDT. Foreign nationals who wish to enter the lottery have until Monday, November 3, 2014 at noon EST to file online. 

In Australia, the government has announced that it supports an independent panel’s recommendations for reform of the subclass 457 visa program, including elimination of labor market testing requirements and creation of a trusted employer status for sponsors with an established compliance history. 

Employers in Malaysia applying for a Professional Visit Pass must do so electronically, as manual applications will no longer be accepted starting October 1, 2014. 

Foreign nationals in Ireland will no longer be able to apply for employment authorization using current forms starting September 30, 2014. Employers should expect application processing delays due to administrative backlogs and the unavailability of new application forms until October 1, 2014. 

Foreign nationals in France would be able to apply for a new work visa called a Talent Passport, which would confer automatic work authorization in most cases, if a proposed law is enacted. 

These items and other news from Greece, Hong Kong/Singapore, Saudi Arabia, the Schengen Area, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update. 

Remember that the Immigration Update is available through both e-mail and Web version by clicking on "View as Web Page" above.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, September 22, 2014

FY 2016 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 1

Entrants have from Wednesday, October 1, 2014 at noon EDT to Monday, November 3, 2014 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website. Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Malaysia, September 25, 2014

Professional Visit Pass to Require Electronic Applications

Employers in Malaysia applying for a Professional Visit Pass must do so electronically, as manual applications will no longer be accepted starting October 1, 2014.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Saudi Arabia, September 24, 2014

Work Permit Restrictions for Nationals of Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone Due to Ebola Outbreak

Nationals of Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone face an indefinite ban on Saudi work permits amid the worsening Ebola outbreak. Those already authorized to work in Saudi Arabia and those applying for short-term visas may be subject to additional medical exams.

To view entire article, click here.

 

France, September 24, 2014

Lawmakers Propose “Talent Passport” and Elimination of Permit Requirements for Short-Term Assignments

Foreign nationals in France would be able to apply for a new work visa called a Talent Passport, which would confer automatic work authorization in most cases, if a proposed law is enacted. Additionally, work permits would no longer be required for assignments of up to three months.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Ireland, September 23, 2014

Processing Delays Loom with Upcoming Implementation of Employment Permits (Amendment) Act of 2014

Foreign nationals seeking work authorization in Ireland may face delayed start dates, as the Employment Permits (Amendment) Act of 2014, which will significantly change the current Irish employment permit scheme, is implemented October 1, 2014.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Australia, September 19, 2014

Panel Recommends Subclass 457 Reforms

The Australian government has announced that it supports an independent panel’s recommendations for reform of the subclass 457 visa program, including the elimination of labor market testing requirements and the creation of a trusted employer status for sponsors with an established compliance history.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Immigration News This Week

United States: USCIS's New Secure Blue Ink for Certain Immigration Stamps - USCIS has reminded the employer community that the agency began using a new secure blue ink for certain immigration stamps. The older secure red ink was retired and is no longer used by USCIS. Employers should note this new feature when examining documents presented by employees during the Form I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification process. Lists of acceptable documents appear on the last page of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. Employers cannot reject an unexpired acceptable document presented by an employee, nor can they specify which documents they will accept. Additional information about acceptable documents is available here. 

United States: Form I-9 Desktop Shortcut for Employers – USCIS released a new Form I-9 Desktop Widget that enables employers to automatically launch the Form I-9 from their desktop after downloading the widget. Instructions and system requirements on downloading the widget are available here. The desktop shortcut streamlines employers' on-boarding process by facilitating access to and completion of the Form I-9. 

Greece: Work Permit Application Status Check Now Available Online - The Ministry of Interior has introduced a link on its website where non-EU work permit applicants can track the status of their applications. The information is only available in Greek. To use the link, go to http://www.ypes.gr and click on Status of Applicant’s File under Announcements. 

Hong Kong/Singapore: Automated Entry Clearance Program Now Open Between Hong Kong and Singapore - A biometric immigration clearance system allows eligible Singapore and Hong Kong passport holders to clear immigration faster in each country. Known as e-Channel in Hong Kong and e-IACS in Singapore, this program is new only between Singapore and Hong Kong. It opened for enrollment for nationals of Hong Kong and Singapore on September 22, 2014. 

To be eligible to participate in e-Channel, Singaporeans must be at least age eleven and have visited Hong Kong three times or more in the past year. To enroll, Singaporeans can bring their passports to the Hong Kong International Airport or Macau Ferry Terminal, or in Singapore, to the Changi Airport, Woodlands Checkpoint, Tuas Checkpoint or the ICA Building. Hong Kong nationals at least age eleven are eligible to use the system if they use a smart identity card, hold a Document of Identity for Visa Purposes with a smart identity card, have the right to land or are on unconditional stay in Hong Kong (using a smart identity card), are a non-permanent resident holding a notification label (using a smart identity card and carrying a valid travel document), or are a registered cross-boundary primary school student under the age of eleven (using the enrolled valid travel document). Enrollees in both countries aged eleven to 17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian and present documentary proof of the familial relationship. 

For more information regarding the process for Singaporeans visiting Hong Kong, Singapore passport-holders can click here. For information regarding the process for Hong Kong residents entering Singapore, click here. For more information on e-IACS, click here. 

Schengen Area: Increased Enforcement of Passport Validity Requirement for Schengen Area Visitors – Non-EU/EEA/EFTA nationals traveling to the Schengen Area for short-term tourism, business trips, or transit to a non-Schengen destination should renew their passports if they have less than six months of validity remaining, due to recent increased enforcement of a rule that requires passports presented upon entry to a Schengen country to be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date. Affected foreign nationals should renew their passports as soon as possible to avoid processing delays related to holiday travel. There are 26 countries in the Schengen Area and non-EU/EEA/EFTA nationals can visit those countries for a total cumulative stay in the Area of 90 days within a 180-day period. Enforcement levels may vary within the Schengen Area. Nationals of certain countries also require a Schengen Visa for entry. See the U.S. State Department Schengen Fact Sheet for more information.

 

Global Immigration News Links 

• According to The Hill, House Speaker John Boehner said that immigration reform would help boost the economy, but the borders would need to be secured first.
• As tensions still rise in the French port city of Calais, the UK government has pledged £12 million over the course of three years to tackle current and future immigration issues.
• There is an expressed need for an overhaul of the system that is in place for Australia's 457 visas as risk was detected for corruption by training institutions.
• A new "Express Entry" program to be implemented in Canada in January 2015 is intended to match a foreign national's skill set to those in demand by Canadian employers.
• Israel's tight immigration rules create difficulty for growing businesses in Tel Aviv that have a need to increase the number of skilled workers outside of the local talent pool.
• Australian Immigration Minister, Scott Morrison, will be in Cambodia late this week to negotiate possible resettlement of 1,000 asylum seekers.
• Immigration protests will be held in the British port town of Dover to highlight some of the financial burdens put on truckers who are found with immigrants in their vehicles as they enter the UK from France.

 

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