Weekly Immigration Update: August 25–31, 2023
August 31, 2023
In immigration news this week:
- United States: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will allow more individuals who had “aged out” under prior Child Status Protection Act (CSPA) guidelines to submit late green card applications under new and expanded policy guidance.
- Iceland: The government has implemented several key improvements in residence and work permit validity periods and other aspects of the immigration process for foreign nationals, dependents, and students.
- Worldwide/Russia: Delivery of residence cards to the Swedish Embassy in Moscow are experiencing delays. There are also updates on Finnish services in Russia. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Minimum salary update: Sweden has updated its minimum salary guidance. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Brazil: The government delayed the reinstatement of the visa requirement for nationals of Australia, Canada, and the United States until January 10, 2024, after it was set to be implemented on October 1, 2023. See our news brief for details.
These items and other news from Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Mainland China, Egypt, France, Gabon, Germany, Italy, Kuwait, Mali, Niger, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, and Taiwan follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
Iceland, August 31, 2023
Permit Validity and Dependent Rights Improved
The government has implemented several key improvements in residence and work permit validity periods and other aspects of the immigration process for foreign nationals, dependents and students in an effort to improve current labor and skills shortages. Key changes include:
- Four-year validity for a residence permit for a job that requires expertise (up from two years);
- A new rule allowing foreign nationals who completed university studies in Iceland to now renew their residence permit for up to three years from the date of graduation (up from six months) to look for a job in Iceland; and
- A new rule for dependent spouses and children of foreign citizens with a residence permit for work that requires specialist knowledge to work automatically without a work permit in Iceland.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, August 25, 2023
USCIS Gives Beneficiaries of Revised Age-Out Policy Extra Time to File for Adjustment of Status
- USCIS has issued additional Child Status Protection Act guidance to allow the agency to exercise its discretion to accept an adjustment application and accord CSPA protections to a foreign national even if more than one year has elapsed since their priority date became current under the State Department’s Visa Bulletin Dates for Filing.
- New guidance issued Thursday further refined a February 2023 policy that introduced a more generous formula for calculating an applicant’s CSPA age, thereby offering greater protection against a child aging out of the ability to obtain a green card as a derivative of their parent.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Australia, August 31, 2023
Closure of Pandemic Event Subclass 408 Visa
Australia, August 24, 2023
Migration Program Planning Levels for 2023-2024 Announced
Australia, August 24, 2023
Visas for GPs Program Updates
Belgium, August 31, 2023
Flanders Permit Processing Times Changed
Belgium, August 30, 2023
Flanders Expands Shortage Occupation List
Brazil, August 28, 2023
Visa Requirement Date for Nationals of Australia, Canada and the United States Postponed
Burkina Faso/France/Mali/Niger, August 29, 2023
Closure of Visa Centers and Suspensions of Visa Issuance
Mainland China, August 30, 2023
Passports Now Returned During Residence Permit Application
Mainland China, August 30, 2023
Visa-on-Arrival Conversion to Multiple-Entry Visa Now Possible
Mainland China, August 29, 2023
COVID Tests No Longer Required for Entry
Egypt, August 31, 2023
E-Visa and Visa-on-Arrival No Longer Available for Canadian Nationals
Gabon, August 30, 2023
Land Borders and Government Offices Closed
Germany, August 29, 2023
New Visa Application Process for Certain North Macedonian Applicants
Italy, August 30, 2023
Quotas Increased
Kuwait, August 31, 2023
New Requirement for Foreign Nationals to Pay Certain Fines and Bills Prior to Travel
Saudi Arabia, August 29, 2023
Electronic Degree Attestation Process Implemented for Select Foreign Nationals
Singapore, August 30, 2023
Shortage Occupation List Employer Guide Released
Taiwan, August 29, 2023
Relaxed Exit & Entry Permit Requirements for Select Applicants Forthcoming
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
