Weekly Immigration Update: February 2–8, 2024
February 8, 2024
In immigration news this week:
- United States: USCIS’s new organizational account system will go live at noon ET on February 28. Additionally, the FY 2025 H-1B cap registration period will open at noon ET on March 6, and will close at noon ET on March 22. All cap registrations must be drafted and submitted online during this period.
- Kuwait: Effective January 28, Kuwait has significantly expanded the scope of eligibility for family visas, and now includes certain spouses and children of a wide range of skilled foreign nationals residing in Kuwait.
- European Union/Schengen Area: Poland has extended internal border checks into March 2024. Slovakia has not extended its internal border checks, which expired in January 2024. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Minimum salary updates: Iceland has increased its minimum living standard financial requirements for residence permits and citizenship applications. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Finland’s land borders with Russia will remain closed until at least April 14, 2024. See our news brief for details.
- Worldwide/Ukraine: Czech authorities have confirmed that temporary protection status holders who want to extend their permit into 2025 must submit an extension application by March 15, 2024. Separately, Spanish authorities have stated that they will be accepting temporary protection status extension applications from March 4, 2024. Luxembourg has confirmed that it is extending temporary protection until March 4, 2025. These developments continue the trend of European countries incorporating the extension of the Temporary Protection Directive to March 4, 2025 into domestic law. The Directive came into effect in mid-November 2023. See our consolidated alert for details.
These items and other news from Bermuda, Canada, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, the Philippines, South Africa, Sweden, and the United Kingdom follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
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.
To view entire article, click here.
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.
To view entire article, click here.
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.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Bermuda, February 5, 2024
Change in Period of Stay for Visitors
Canada, February 5, 2024
Two-year Extension to Prohibition on Purchase of Residential Property by Non-Canadians Announced
Canada, February 2, 2024
Updated List of Occupations Eligible for Quebec’s Simplified Labour Market Impact Assessment Forthcoming
Italy, February 2, 2024
Delays in Fingerprinting Appointments
Italy, February 7, 2024
Quota Spot Application Window Postponed
Japan, February 8, 2024
Digital Nomad Visa Under Consideration
Netherlands, February 5, 2024
In-Country Activation of Visa-Exempt Period to Be Possible for Certain Applicants
Philippines, February 7, 2024
Medical Clearance Requirement Eliminated
South Africa, February 6, 2024
New Application Link for ZEP and LEP Holders
Sweden, February 2, 2024
Employment Duration for Permanent Residence Eligibility Reduced
United Kingdom, February 6, 2024
Increased Immigration Application Demand Causing Delays
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
