Weekly Immigration Update - August 18 - 24, 2017

In United States immigration news this week, the U.S. Embassy in Russia has suspended all nonimmigrant visa operations for eight days, starting August 23. Nonimmigrant visa operations will resume on a reduced basis starting September 1, with appointments being held at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow only.  

Effective October 1, Venezuelan nationals traveling to Panama must have a valid entry visa.

UK Visa and Immigration has updated its Employer's Guide to Right to Work Checks with a new acceptable documents list and information on maintaining a statutory defence to immigration law violations, and clarified rules for those working as a Volunteer and as an International Student.

In the Czech Republic, a new law went into effect on August 15 which impacts residency and documentary requirements for intracompany transferees, seasonal workers and other workers.

A proposed bill in Australia, if approved, would increase the enforcement of immigration rules. Among other provisions, it would allow the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to publish information on employers that are sanctioned for immigration-related violations.

In Taiwan, dependent spouses of foreign employees now benefit from relaxed work authorization requirements.

These items and other news from Ecuador, France, Latvia, Taiwan and Venezuela follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, August 21, 2017
U.S. Mission in Russia Temporarily Suspends and then Reduces Nonimmigrant Visa Operations

The U.S. Embassy in Russia is suspending all nonimmigrant visa operations for eight days, starting August 23. Nonimmigrant visa operations will resume on a reduced basis starting September 1, with appointments being held at the U.S. Embassy in Moscow only.

To view entire article, click here.

Panama, August 24, 2017
Venezuelan Nationals to Require Entry Visa Starting October 1, 2017

On or after October 1, 2017, Venezuelan nationals traveling to Panama must have a valid entry visa. Until then, Venezuelan nationals can continue to enter and stay in Panama without a visa for up to 90 days.

To view entire article, click here.

Taiwan, August 24, 2017
Diplomas No Longer Required for Some Work Permit Reapplications

Foreign nationals who previously held a Work Permit no longer need to resubmit their diploma when applying for a new Work Permit within the same job category. This may reduce the time it takes to prepare and file a Work Permit application for applicants from countries that require diploma legalization.

To view entire article, click here.

Taiwan, August 24, 2017
Dependent Spouses Subject to Relaxed Work Authorization Requirements

Foreign employees' dependent spouses now benefit from a lower minimum salary requirement, and the dependents' employer benefits from lesser prerequisite amounts in certain company-related factors. Additionally, dependents can now work part time as there is no restriction on the minimum number of hours of work under this relaxed scheme.

To view entire article, click here.

Latvia, August 23, 2017
Implementation of EU Intracompany Transferee Permit

The new EU intracompany transferee (ICT) Permit became available in Latvia as of May 1, 2017, with a transition period until August 31, 2017. The new permit will apply to non-EU qualified managers, specialists and graduate trainees temporarily assigned from an entity outside the European Union to an entity in the same corporate group in Latvia for over 90 days. The new permit was introduced pursuant to the EU ICT Directive.

To view entire article, click here.

Czech Republic, August 23, 2017
New Law Amends Rules for Intracompany Transferees, Seasonal Workers and Other Workers

A new law affecting intracompany transferees, seasonal workers, non-EU permanent residents and company representatives, among other categories of foreign nationals, became effective August 15, 2017. Generally, the law expands the reasons for denial of an Employee Card, increases residency requirements for Business Residency Permit eligibility and imposes stricter documentary requirements for immigration applications.  

To view entire article, click here.

Australia, August 22, 2017
Proposed Law Would Increase Enforcement of Immigration Rules

A proposed bill would among other things, allow the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to publish information on employers that are sanctioned for immigration-related violations, use foreign nationals' tax filing numbers for compliance purposes and enter into a legal agreement with a sponsor who has breached its immigration-related obligations. If the Bill is passed, it is expected to come into effect by the end of 2017.

To view entire article, click here.

Ecuador, August 22, 2017
Regulations Regarding New Immigration Law Released

Ecuadorian Immigration authorities have released regulations related to the immigration law published in February. The rules went into effect August 14, 2017 and impact Temporary Residence Visa holders, Work Contract Visa holders and foreign nationals who transfer to Ecuador to work on projects of national interest.

To view entire article, click here.

France, August 21, 2017
New Posted Workers Fee Forthcoming

Employers of posted workers will be subject to a EUR 40 administrative fee per employee, to be paid at the time the employer files the posted worker notification. The requirement will enter into force by Ministry Order, and in absence of the order it will automatically take effect on January 1, 2018.

To view entire article, click here.

United Kingdom, August 18, 2017
Updates to Employer’s Guide to Right to Work Checks

In an effort to further prevent illegal workers in the United Kingdom and assist employers with conducting acceptable Right to Work checks, UK Visa and Immigration have updated their Employer's Guide to Right to Work Checks guidance with a new acceptable documents list and new information on maintaining a statutory defence to immigration law violations, and clarified rules for those undertaking work as a Volunteer and as an International Student.

To view entire article, click here.

Weekly News Briefs

Venezuela: Delays at Venezuelan Immigration Office – Applications processed by the Venezuelan Immigration Office (SAIME) are delayed due to system failures. The SAIME processes passport and visa applications. It is not yet known how long the delays will last. Affected foreign nationals should contact their immigration professional for questions about how their application may be affected by the delays.

Global Immigration News Links

If Americans were put to the merit-based test required in the recently introduced RAISE Act, only about two percent aged 18 or older would score the 30 points needed to be considered for a visa, assuming they did not have the $1.35 million to invest or won a Nobel Prize or Olympic medal, according to an economist via the New York Times.

Immigrant worker shortages in the U.S. is more likely to lead to increased usage of technology and machinery, not more employment of people in the U.S., CNNMoney reports.

Net migration in Britain fell to a three-year low of 246,000 in year to March, driven by the departure of EU citizens in the wake of the Brexit vote, the Telegraph reports.

Ahead of post-Brexit trade talks, Australia and other Commonwealth countries are demanding their citizens be granted the same rights as Europeans to work and live in the UK after Brexit.

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