Weekly Immigration Update: December 29, 2023–January 4, 2024

Canada, January 4, 2024
Expanded Eligibility for Certain Students Applying Under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

• Effective January 1, 2024, the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) expanded eligibility under the Employer Job Offer: International Student Stream to any student who completes a one-year college graduate certificate from an Ontario college and has obtained an Ontario College Graduate Certificate.
• Previously, the stream only allowed individuals to apply with a one-year credential from an eligible institution if the program required the completion of a degree as an admission requirement.
• Consequently, the number of certificate programs that are now eligible for an OINP will increase, which will result in additional applicants being able to apply under the stream and obtain permanent residence in Ontario.

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European Union/Schengen Area, January 2, 2024
Bulgaria, Romania to Partially Join Schengen Area in March 2024

• Effective March 31, 2024, Bulgaria and Romania will partially join Europe’s Schengen Area, with border checks to cease for any air- or sea-based travel between Bulgaria, Romania and other Schengen Area countries.
• Air and sea travel between Bulgaria, Romania and Schengen Area countries will become easier and quicker, as affected travelers will no longer be subject to border control inspections.
• Until further notice, border checks will continue to apply for any land-based travel between either Bulgaria or Romania and other Schengen Area countries. The European Council will continue talks in 2024 to lift such land border checks.
• Update January 8, 2024: Following further guidance from EU officials, it has been clarified that Bulgaria and Romania are expected to start issuing uniform Schengen C visas from March 31, 2024.

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Portugal, January 2, 2024
Residence Permit Appointment Unavailability and Issuance Delays

• The Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) announced that there are currently significant delays in issuing residence permits.
• Further, foreign nationals are currently unable to apply for residence permits as they cannot obtain appointments at AIMA.
• As a concession, AIMA is allowing immigration documents or visas that expire on or after November 10, 2023 to be accepted until June 30, 2024.
• The delays are a result of the transition of responsibility for immigration matters from the Immigration and Border Service to AIMA, a new agency.

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Philippines, January 2, 2024
Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card Registration Due March 1, 2024

• Foreign nationals who hold a valid Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card), such as long-term work visa holders, must file their Annual Report before March 1, 2024 to avoid delays to renewal applications or fines.
• For the first time, an online filing option is available to all registered foreign nationals who hold a valid visa (except those with paper-based ACR cards).
• Foreign nationals may also authorize their Fragomen immigration professional to accompany them to file the report.

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