Weekly Immigration Update: February 2–8, 2024

Kuwait, February 7, 2024
Significant Expansion of Family Visa Eligibility Following Resumption of Program

• Effective January 28, 2024, Kuwait has significantly expanded the scope of eligibility for family visas, and now includes the spouses and children of a wide range of skilled foreign nationals residing in Kuwait (subject to education and minimum salary requirements).
• Since December 2022, the country has been progressively reopening family visa options, after wholly suspending the pathway in August 2022.
• These changes are likely to make employee attraction and retention easier, with eligible foreign workers now able to ensure that certain close family members can reside in Kuwait.

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Asia Pacific, February 5, 2024
Processing Delays, Government Closures and Travel Delays May Occur Around Lunar New Year

• Millions of people are expected to travel throughout East and Southeast Asia during the Lunar New Year holiday season.
• Travelers should be aware that government offices in many observing countries will be closed during this time, which will cause travel-related delays and government and business interruptions.
• Visa and permit applicants should submit applications as early as possible as applications submitted nearer to closure dates may not be accepted or acted upon until government offices reopen.

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United States, February 2, 2024
USCIS Announces H-1B Cap Registration Schedule for FY 2025, Including Initial Details on the New Organizational Account System 

• The FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period will open at noon ET on March 6, 2024 and will close at noon ET on March 22, 2024. All cap registrations must be drafted and submitted online during this period.
• A beneficiary-centric H-1B cap registration system will be in effect for the FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period, a change intended to deter misuse of the registration process.
• USCIS’s new organizational account system will go live at noon ET on February 28, 2024. Prospective H-1B employers creating new organizational accounts or upgrading existing accounts may do so beginning February 28 and throughout the registration period.
• After registration closes, USCIS will conduct the FY 2025 H-1B cap selection and notify all sponsoring employers of selected beneficiaries by March 31, 2024.
• On April 1, 2024, USCIS will begin accepting H-1B petitions. The petition filing period will remain open for a minimum of 90 days.

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