Weekly Immigration Update: April 17-23, 2020

In immigration news this week:

• Worldwide: Jurisdictions around the world continue to adapt their coronavirus-related travel restrictions and quarantine measures, and many have implemented extension policies and other concessions. Visit Fragomen’s coronavirus-related news page for the latest immigration updates.
• United States: Effective 11:59pm EDT on April 23, President Trump's proclamation suspends the entry of certain immigrants for 60 days, with exceptions for current U.S lawful permanent residents, holders of valid immigrant visas and similar U.S. travel documents, the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, and EB-5 immigrants, among others. The order does not affect the filing or processing of applications for adjustment of status in the United States. Visa Waiver travelers who have already been granted a period of satisfactory departure may apply to either USCIS or CBP for an additional 30-day period if they remain unable to depart the United States due to COVID-19.
• United States/Canada/Mexico: Border travel restrictions permitting only essential travel across the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders has been extended through May 20.

 

These items and other news from Azerbaijan, Czech Republic, and Georgia follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, April 22, 2020
Presidential Proclamation Suspends Some Immigrant Entry for 60 Days

• President Trump has signed a proclamation suspending the entry of certain immigrants for 60 days, with exceptions for current U.S lawful permanent residents, holders of valid immigrant visas and similar U.S. travel documents, the spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens, and EB-5 immigrants, among others. The order takes effect at 11:59pm EDT on April 23, 2020.
• The order does not affect the filing or processing of applications for adjustment of status in the United States.
• H-1B, L-1 and other nonimmigrant worker programs are not immediately affected, but the proclamation directs DHS and DOL to make a study of the impact of temporary foreign workers on U.S. workers. The results of the study could prompt future restrictions on these nonimmigrant programs.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, April 21, 2020
VWP Entrants May Apply for Additional 30-Day Satisfactory Departure; All CBP Ports to Accept Satisfactory Departure Requests

• Visa Waiver travelers who have already been granted a period of satisfactory departure may apply to either USCIS or CBP for an additional 30-day period if they remain unable to depart the United States due to COVID-19.
• Satisfactory departure requests can now be made at any CBP port of entry or deferred inspection site nationwide, according to CBP headquarters.
• Grants of satisfactory departure are discretionary, and must be supported by evidence of inability to depart the United States.

 

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, April 20, 2020
U.S.-Canada and U.S.-Mexico Land Border Restrictions Extended Through May 20

• CBP border travel restrictions permitting only essential travel across the U.S.-Mexico and U.S.-Canada borders will be extended through May 20.
• Essential travel includes travel by U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and foreign nationals traveling to work in the United States, among others. 
• Visa Waiver and other business travelers may face additional scrutiny at the border. 
• “Non-essential travel” at land borders is not permitted, which includes travel that is considered tourism or recreational in nature.

 

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Weekly News Briefs

Azerbaijan: Quota Reports for Future Foreign Workforce Due May 1 – As a reminder, companies intending to hire foreign workers in Azerbaijan in 2021 must submit quota reports to the State Migration Service by May 1, 2020. The quota reports should estimate the number of foreign workers required through 2021. A special commission will review the reports and will submit a quota proposal to the government by September 1, 2020. Companies are advised to seek immigration support for quota submissions.

Czech Republic: EU Blue Card Salary Level to Increase – Effective May 1, 2020, the EU Blue Card salary level for the Czech Republic will increase to CZK 51,188 gross per month, up seven percent from the previous threshold. The new threshold will apply to current permit holders, and pending and new applications. Benefits and bonuses may not be included in the salary calculation. As a reminder, Employee Cards, the most-commonly-used Czech work authorization type, are subject to the national minimum wage of CZK 14,600, which increased in January. The exchange rate at the time of publication is 1 CZK to 0.04 USD.

Georgia: Strict Annual Turnover Requirement Introduced – Following a legislative change, companies in Georgia must now have an annual turnover of at least GEL 50,000 per foreign worker under the standard temporary residence permit application process. Since non-entrepreneurial and Value Added Tax-exempt companies typically do not have turnover, foreign nationals seeking a temporary residence permit based on employment with these types of companies are subject to a cumbersome and lengthy application process outside standard requirements.

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