Weekly Immigration Update: December 2–8, 2022
December 8, 2022
In immigration news this week:
- Worldwide: As we enter the endemic phase of the COVID-19 era, travel restrictions and health requirements are waning based on growing vaccination initiatives. We are tracking related updates on our COVID-19 website.
- Canada will extend work permit eligibility to additional dependents of temporary workers of all skill levels for a two-year period, beginning January 2023.
- Denmark and the Netherlands have revised their minimum salary requirements. Please see more information in our consolidated alert.
- Czech Republic and Belgium have extended temporary protection status for Ukrainian nationals. Please see more information in our consolidated alert.
- The United States postponed the deadline for individuals to obtain U.S. state driver’s licenses or identification cards that comply with the REAL ID Act security standards until May 7, 2025. Also, DHS is extending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, through August 3, 2024 and redesignating the country for TPS as of November 6, 2022.
These items and other news from Canada, Finland, Ireland Mozambique, Nigeria, Qatar, Russia, Sri Lanka, the United Arab Emirates, the United States of America and Zambia follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
United States, December 6, 2022
DHS to Extend and Redesignate Haiti for Temporary Protected Status
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti, through August 3, 2024.
- DHS is also redesignating Haiti for TPS, allowing Haitian nationals residing in the United States as of November 6, 2022, to apply for initial TPS.
- Details on applying for TPS under the extension and redesignation will be contained in an upcoming Federal Register notice.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, December 5, 2022
DHS Postpones Real ID Deadline to May 2025
- Individuals will have an additional 24 months – until May 7, 2025 – to obtain U.S. state driver’s licenses or identification cards that comply with the REAL ID Act security standards.
- The Department of Homeland Security has extended the full enforcement deadline from May 3, 2023 to May 7, 2025, due to the lingering impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on states’ ability to issue REAL-ID compliant documents.
- Airlines and federal agencies will continue to accept non-REAL ID compliant driver’s licenses and identification cards for domestic air travel and admission to federal facilities until May 7, 2025.
To view entire article, click here.
Canada, December 5, 2022
Work-Permit Eligibility for Family Members of Temporary Workers Forthcoming
- The government of Canada has announced that for a two-year period starting January 2023, Canada will extend work permit eligibility to spouses, common-law partners, and working age dependents of temporary workers of all skill levels.
- Currently, only spouses are eligible for a work permit if the principal applicant is working in an occupation the government considers high-skilled.
- It is anticipated that the measure will result in family members of over 200,000 foreign workers being able to work in Canada, helping the country address pressing labor shortages.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Canada, December 6, 2022
2023 International Experience Canada Program Launched
Finland, December 2, 2022
Delays in Residence Permit Card Delivery to Russia
Ireland, December 8, 2022
Increase in Financial Thresholds for Non-EEA Students
Mozambique, December 8, 2022
e-Visa Platform Launched
Nigeria, December 2, 2022
Foreign Worker Regulations Revised
Qatar, December 7, 2022
Entry Restrictions Relaxed During FIFA World Cup for GCC Citizens and Residents
Russia, December 2, 2022
Invitation Letter Processing Times Reduced
Sri Lanka, December 8, 2022
New Visa for Condominium Owners
United Arab Emirates, December 5, 2022
Salary Subsidies Increased for Emirati Nationals and Penalties Announced for Violation of Emiratization Programs
United States of America, December 8, 2022
USCIS Announces Filing Updates for FY 2023 Supplemental H-2B Petitions
Zambia, December 7, 2022
Decentralization of Long-Term Permits
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
