Weekly Immigration Update: February 16–22, 2024

United States, February 21, 2024
Reminder: Effective February 26, Premium Processing Fees to Increase

• The premium processing fee for I-140 immigrant worker petitions and most Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions will increase to $2,805, from $2,500. Fees for premium processing of certain other petitions and applications will also increase.
• The new fees will take effect for filings postmarked on or after February 26.
• Under a separate new rule, starting April 1, premium processing adjudication timeframes will change from calendar days to business days, effectively increasing processing times by one week or more, depending on the case type.

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Serbia, February 20, 2024
Significant Overhaul of Immigration Processes Comes into Effect

• In February 2024, Serbia implemented a significant overhaul of its immigration processes and rules, including:
  • launching a new portal for submitting visa and permit applications;
  • overhauling its labor market testing processes; and
  • relaxing the validity period and renewal process for its Assignment and Intra-company Transfer Work Permits.
• These new processes and rules are in addition to other significant changes – which all came into effect on February 1, 2024 or earlier. This includes a new ‘Single Permit’, which combines the Residence and Work Permit.
• These changes seek to streamline, expedite and relax the visa application process for applicants and employers as part of a broader strategy of attracting and retaining foreign talent.

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United Kingdom, February 20, 2024
Statement of Changes Affects Skilled Worker Pathway, Ukraine Scheme

• As anticipated, the UK government has formally presented changes to rules restricting the eligibility and dependency rights of health and care workers under the Skilled Worker pathway.
• The changes were presented in the form of a Statement of Changes to the UK’s immigration rules, which also included changes to the UK’s temporary protection schemes for Ukrainian nationals.
• The Skilled Worker pathway changes are likely to have only a limited direct impact on the businesses, charities and voluntary organisations who use these routes to sponsor workers.

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