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Weekly Immigration Update: April 12–18, 2024

April 18, 2024

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In immigration news this week:

  • Middle East: Air travel within the Middle East and to and from Israel is mostly normal following airspace restrictions over the weekend. Some airlines are operating on a limited basis and travelers should expect delays. Check our alert and spotlight page for details.
  • United States: Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians is valid for 18 months, from February 14, 2024 until August 13, 2025. Palestinians benefiting from DED are now eligible to apply for employment or travel authorization. Palestinian F-1 students also benefit from relaxed employment rules during the same period. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also extended and redesignated Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from June 13, 2024 through December 12, 2025. DHS is also extending certain relaxed employment authorization rules for Ethiopian F-1 students.
  • European Union: The revised Single Permit Directive, which seeks to make the European Union more attractive to foreign workers and further safeguard their rights, has been formally adopted following the European Council’s approval. The implementation date is yet to be confirmed, though it is expected to occur shortly.
  • Greece: A higher minimum investment requirement is in place for Greek Golden Visa applicants seeking to reside in certain popular locations. Limits on the number of properties a single investor can buy in a given area are also in effect. See our news brief for details. Separately, the government has confirmed that it no longer intends to cease in-country digital nomad applications. See our updated news brief for details.
  • South Africa: The Minister of Home Affairs has announced the withdrawal of the draft immigration amendments as a result of an incomplete public comment process. See our news brief for details.
  • Minimum salary updates: The minimum salary level for EU Blue Cards and specialists in Estonia has increased, and Egypt will be increasing its private sector minimum salary on May 1. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Finland: Land border closures with Russia are extended until further notice, while travel to or from several Russian seaports is now prohibited. See our updated news brief for details.
  • European Union/Schengen Area: Denmark, France, Germany, and Sweden have each extended internal border checks to October-November 2024. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Mexico: The government has postponed until May 6 the reinstatement of the visa requirement for nationals of Peru. See our alert for details.

These items and other news from Albania, Austria, Belgium, Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Lesotho, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, the Schengen Area, Serbia, South Africa, Spain, the United States, Venezuela, and Vietnam follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Venezuela/Ecuador, April 18, 2024
Closure of Embassy and Consulates in Ecuador

  • The Venezuelan president has ordered the closure of the embassy and consulates of Venezuela in Ecuador and the return to Venezuela of all Venezuelan diplomatic personnel in Ecuador.
  • As a result, individuals with applications at the Venezuelan Embassy or Consulate in Quito, or the Venezuelan Consulate in Guayaquil should expect processing disruptions and delays until the consular posts reopen.
  • Fragomen is working with affected clients on a case-by-case basis.

To view entire article, click here.

 

New Zealand, April 18, 2024  
Changes to Accredited Employer Work Visa, Compliance Obligations for Employers and Additional Green List Occupations Introduced

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has implemented the following updates:

  • Restrictions to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) for low-skilled occupations such as higher work experience/qualification and English language requirements, a longer labor market testing period and shortened visa duration;
  • A new notification requirement for employers to inform INZ when any of their employees holding an AEWV ceases employment; and
  • New roles added to the Green List, providing residency pathways for new professionals.

These changes are intended to ensure New Zealand is attracting the skilled migrants needed in the economy, and to reduce the vulnerability of migrants to exploitation.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Schengen Area, April 15, 2024
Limited Appointment Availability for Schengen Travel

  •  Appointments for submitting Schengen C visa applications are limited amid increased application numbers in the period leading up to the peak travel season of May to August.
  • Travelers should plan in advance as much as possible for upcoming travel to the Schengen Area.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, April 15, 2024
DHS Announces Details on Deferred Enforced Departure for Palestinians

  • Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Palestinians will be valid for an 18-month period, from February 14, 2024 until August 13, 2025.
  • During this period, eligible Palestinians will be protected from removal and may apply for employment or travel authorization.
  • Palestinian F-1 students will also benefit from relaxed employment rules.

To view entire article, click here.

 

European Union, April 15, 2024  
Revised Single Permit Directive Approved

  • The revised Single Permit Directive, which seeks to make the European Union more attractive to foreign workers and further safeguard their rights, has been formally adopted following the European Council’s April 12, 2024 approval of the scheme. The formal date of implementation remains to be confirmed, though is expected to occur shortly.
  • Changes include:
    • Mandating a right of in-country applications for existing EU residents;
    • A three-month application processing time frame (down from the current four);
    • Greater rights to change employer and remain in country in the event of short-term unemployment; and
    • New compliance monitoring obligations for EU Member States, and a redress mechanism for foreign nationals.
  • EU Member States will have up to two years to domestically implement the terms of this Directive from the date the laws formally go into effect (which is still to be determined). Each country must domestically implement these changes before they have legal effect there.
  • This revised Single Permit Directive may increase the uptake of single permits in the European Union, noting a faster and easier application process and greater room for permit holders to flex with changing labor market conditions and opportunities. Employers, meanwhile, may see a reduced negotiating position vis-à-vis existing employees who hold such a permit.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, April 12, 2024
DHS Extends and Redesignates Ethiopia for TPS, Extends Relaxed Employment Options for Ethiopian F-1 Students

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Ethiopia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months, from June 13, 2024 through December 12, 2025. 
  • The registration period for eligible individuals to submit initial TPS applications under the redesignation will run for from April 15, 2024 through December 12, 2025. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time. 
  • Current Ethiopian TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register between April 15, 2024 and June 14, 2024.
  • DHS is also extending the relaxation of certain employment authorization rules for Ethiopian students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the crisis in Ethiopia.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Albania/North Macedonia/Serbia, April 12, 2024
Open Balkans Scheme Legally Commences; Practical Elements Forthcoming

Austria, April 17, 2024
Red-White-Red Plus Card to Soon Extend to Displaced Persons from Ukraine

Belgium, April 16, 2024
Regions Agree on Unified EU Blue Card Long-Term Mobility Pathway Rule

Brazil, April 18, 2024
Temporary Shutdown of Online Passport Application System

Dominican Republic, April 17, 2024
Possible Processing Delays During Transition to New Immigration Director

Lesotho, April 12, 2024
eVisa Portal Temporarily Suspended

Philippines, April 18, 2024
New Visa Processing Center Established

Saudi Arabia, April 15, 2024
Certain Foreign National Classifications Relaxed Under the Nitaqat Program

Serbia, April 15, 2024
Long-term Delays to Continue due to Backlog from Recent Law Reforms

South Africa, April 18, 2024
Final White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration and Refugee Protection Published

Spain, April 15, 2024
Government Proposes Eliminating Real Estate Golden Visa

United States, April 18, 2024
H-2B Cap Reached for Additional Returning Workers for Early Second Half of FY 2024

United States, April 16, 2024
February/March 2024 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times

Vietnam, April 12, 2024 
Additional Online Step Required for Chinese Nationals Applying in Ho Chi Minh City

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

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