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Weekly Immigration Update: August 18–24, 2023

August 24, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • United States: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Ukraine and Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from October 20, 2023 to April 19, 2025. DHS is also relaxing certain employment authorization rules for Ukrainian and Sudanese citizens in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship due to the current armed conflict in Ukraine and Sudan. 
  • Kazakhstan: Effective July 2023, the Labor Ministry has started applying new rules for work permits, with the changes increasing restrictions in certain areas, while relaxing limits in other areas.
  • Czech Republic: Effective July 2023, under the digital nomad program, eligible foreign nationals can now obtain visas allowing them to stay in the Czech Republic while they either telework for their home employer or work as a self-employed freelancer.
  • Montenegro: Eligible digital nomads can now apply for either the long-term Digital Nomad Permit or the shorter-term D Visa.
  • Worldwide/Russia: Switzerland has stopped accepting travel documents issued after certain dates from various regions in Ukraine as well as Abkhazia and South Ossetia. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Minimum salary updates: Slovenia has updated its minimum salary guidance. See our consolidated alert for details.

These items and other news from Azerbaijan, Brazil, Ethiopia, Germany, Japan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Vietnam follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Montenegro, August 23, 2023
Digital Nomad Permit, Visa Pathways Available  

  • Eligible digital nomads can now apply for either the long-term Digital Nomad Permit or a shorter-term D Visa.
  • Digital Nomad Permit holders can stay in Montenegro for up to four years, while D Visa holders can remain for up to 180 days in a one-year period.
  • In both cases, eligible applicants must be conducting business electronically for a foreign company.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

Kazakhstan, August 23, 2023
New Work Permit Rules Implemented

Kazakhstan has implemented new rules for work permits, with key changes including:

  • Work permits can now be issued for multiple regions, subject to the approval of the relevant regional governments;
  • foreign-to-local worker ratios must now account for outsourced foreign employees providing services; and
  • employers no longer need to submit a labor market test for intra-corporate transferee work permits.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

United States, August 21, 2023
DHS Extends and Redesignates Ukraine and Sudan for Temporary Protected Status; Expands Employment Options for Ukrainian and Sudanese F-1 Students

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Ukraine and Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from October 20, 2023 to April 19, 2025.
  • The registration period for new TPS applicants will run from August 21, 2023 to April 19, 2025. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
  • Current Ukrainian and Sudanese TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register between August 21, 2023 and October 20, 2023. Those whose current EADs will expire before receiving a new one will receive an automatic extension through October 19, 2024.
  • DHS has also announced that it will relax certain employment authorization rules for Ukrainian and Sudanese students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current armed conflict in Ukraine and Sudan.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Czech Republic, August 18, 2023
Digital Nomad Program Introduced

  • Effective July 2023, under the digital nomad program, eligible foreign nationals can now obtain visas which allow them to stay in the Czech Republic while they either telework for their home employer or work as a self-employed freelancer.
  • The program is available to nationals from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
  • Applicants must have either three years of experience in the field of information technology, or hold a university level degree, or higher, in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Azerbaijan, August 24, 2023
Increased Labor Market Scrutiny for Foreign Worker Permits

Brazil/Japan, August 18, 2023
Reciprocal Visa Waiver Agreement Announced

Ethiopia, August 21, 2023
New Online Registration Requirement for Employers

Germany, August 21, 2023
Replacement of Traditional Children’s Passports with Biometric Equivalents in 2024

Qatar, August 23, 2023  
Mandatory Health Insurance Scheme Expanded to Holders of Multiple-Entry Work Visas

Saudi Arabia, August 24, 2023
New Requirement for Certain Companies to Disclose Training Data

Spain, August 18, 2023
Increased Scrutiny of ICT Applicant Health Insurance Certificates

Vietnam, August 21, 2023
Updates on the Expanded Multiple-Entry E-Visa Program

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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November 3, 2026 | ItalyItaly: Job Offers for EU Blue Card Applications in Milan Require Specific Digital Signature
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November 3, 2026 | IrelandIreland: Employment Permits Portal Offline Following Unauthorized Activity
November 3, 2026 | ItalyItaly: Job Offers for EU Blue Card Applications in Milan Require Specific Digital Signature
November 5, 2026 | BelgiumSHRM: Why ‘Hush Trips’ Can Pose Big Risks for Employers and Workers
November 4, 2026 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
November 3, 2026 | BrazilBrazil: New Work Authorization Pathway for Foreign Nationals Supporting Megaevents
November 3, 2026 | IrelandIreland: Employment Permits Portal Offline Following Unauthorized Activity
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