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July 29, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Revised Brussels Shortage Occupation List Issued
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July 29, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Revised Brussels Shortage Occupation List Issued
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Weekly Immigration Update: December 15–21, 2023

December 21, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • United States: The State Department will open its highly anticipated domestic visa renewal pilot program on January 29, 2024 to a limited group of H-1B visa applicants. The Department of Labor is seeking public input on the possible expansion of the “Schedule A” list of occupations exempt from the PERM labor certification process. Public comments are due by February 20, 2024.
  • Ireland: The Irish government has expanded the list of occupations eligible for employment permits and increased the salary thresholds for certain occupations, among other changes.
  • Saudi Arabia: The Saudi Arabia Cultural Attaché has expanded to allow applicants to use the online platform to attest educational certificates issued in the following new countries: Bhutan, Nepal, Maldives, and Myanmar. See our news brief for details.
  • Worldwide: During the holiday season, many government offices worldwide will close or have reduced staff and operating hours, likely resulting in processing delays for work permits, residence permits and visas over the coming weeks and into the new year.
  • Israel/Palestinian Territories: Amid labor shortages, Israel has opened a quota for individuals to apply as skilled workers in the industrial sector (non-expert). Access our consolidated alert for updates – this alert will be updated on an ongoing basis – please check the alert frequently. Also check our dedicated page for relevant information.
  • Minimum salary updates: Croatia, Egypt, and France have increased their minimum salaries for 2024. See our consolidated alert for details. 

These items and other news from Canada, Mainland China, El Salvador, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Ireland, December 21, 2023
Increased Occupations Eligible for Employment Permits and Increased Salary Thresholds, Among Other Changes

  • The Irish government has announced the largest ever expansion of the employment permits system, resulting in a number of changes to immigration law and policy.
  • Effective December 20, 2023, occupations added to the Critical Skills Occupation list and other, formerly ineligible roles, have been made eligible for an Employment Permit.
  • Additionally, on January 17, 2024, a number of changes will go into effect including:
    • An increased salary requirement for most Employment Permit categories;
    • An increased salary requirement for healthcare assistants, home carers, horticultural workers and meat processors; and the
    • Extension of existing quotas for dairy farm assistants, butchers/deboners, meat processors and horticultural workers.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, December 21, 2023
Labor Department Solicits Input on Occupations Eligible for Streamlined Green Card Processing

  • The U.S. Department of Labor has set a February 20, 2024 deadline for submission of public comments on expanding the list of “Schedule A” occupations exempt from the PERM labor certification process.
  • The DOL notice presents a rare opportunity for organizations to suggest shortage occupations to be added to Schedule A, which has not been updated since the PERM program was introduced in 2005. 

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, December 20, 2023
Domestic Visa Renewal Pilot Program Opens January 29 to Limited Group of H-1B Visa Applicants

  • The pilot program will be limited to eligible foreign nationals who received an H-1B visa from (1) a U.S. consulate in India between February 1, 2021 and September 30, 2021, or (2) a U.S. consulate in Canada between January 1, 2020 and April 1, 2023.
  • The pilot will be limited to 20,000 H-1B visa applications total. The State Department will release approximately 4,000 application slots weekly between January 29 and February 26, 2024.
  • Applicants must file the Form DS-160 visa application online and will begin the process at a dedicated State Department domestic renewal website.
  • The pilot program will close on April 1, 2024 or when all application slots are filled, whichever comes earlier.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Worldwide, December 15, 2023
Immigration Processing Delays During the Holiday Season

  • During the holiday season, many government offices worldwide will close or have reduced staff and operating hours, likely resulting in processing delays for work permits, residence permits and visas over the coming weeks and into the new year.
  • Employers and foreign nationals with travel or relocation plans between now and early 2024 should contact their immigration service provider to discuss the impact of holiday closures on their specific circumstances.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Canada, December 21, 2023
Update on Upcoming Apostille Convention Implementation

El Salvador, December 19, 2023
Visa Program Introduced for Bitcoin Investors

Luxembourg, December 15, 2023
Authorities Recommence Issuing Immigration Documents Following Temporary Pause

Malaysia, December 19, 2023
JTKSM Pre-Approval Now Required for ESD Companies

Netherlands, December 21, 2023
‘30 Percent’ Preferential Tax Treatment Restrictions Effective January 1, 2024

Saudi Arabia, December 18, 2023  
Fines for Labor Violations Significantly Reduced

Singapore/Mainland China, December 18, 2023
Visa Waiver Agreement Forthcoming

South Africa, December 20, 2023
Process and Document Requirements Released for Extension of Exemption Permits for Nationals of Zimbabwe and Lesotho

Switzerland, December 15, 2023
New Digital Visa Format from February 2024

United Kingdom, December 18, 2023
YMS Ballot for Taiwanese Applicants to Open from January 31, 2024

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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