Weekly Immigration Update: January 12–18, 2024

United States, January 18, 2024
State Department Posts Guidance on New Domestic Visa Renewal Pilot Program Ahead of January 29 Launch; Online Self-Assessment Tool Available

• The U.S. Department of State’s guidance primarily confirms details already released to the public about the H-1B domestic visa renewal pilot program, with some additional explanations.
• The agency’s online self-assessment tool is available for potential applicants to determine whether they meet the general screening parameters for the domestic visa renewal program.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Kingdom, January 17, 2024
Immigration Health Surcharge Increase Confirmed to Begin February 6, 2024

• The UK Parliament approved a law increasing the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) fees, which will go into effect on February 6, 2024.
  
• The annual IHS fees for adult applicants will increase to GBP 1,035 per person – a 66 percent increase from the current GBP 624.
• Businesses may seek to move up any employee transfers or extensions prior to this date in order to benefit from the current, lower IHS rates.

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Saudi Arabia, January 17, 2024
Five New Premium Residency Permit Categories Introduced

• Saudi Arabia has launched five new categories under its long-term Premium Residency Permit (PRP) scheme, offering self-sponsored long-term residency permits to a wider range of foreign nationals.
• Foreign nationals can apply under one of the following categories: special talent (including executives, and healthcare and scientific professionals); gifted individuals in culture, the arts, and sport; investors; entrepreneurs; or real estate owners or investors.
• The expansion of the PRP – which is likely to increase the number of highly skilled individuals, entrepreneurs, and investors residing long-term in Saudi Arabia – continues the country’s current trend of seeking to attract and retain foreign investment and talent.

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United States, January 12, 2024
USCIS Organizational Accounts and Online Filing for H-1B Petitions Coming Next Month

• In February, USCIS plans to launch online organizational accounts for H-1B filings – including for FY 2025 H-1B cap registrations – and make Form I-129 H-1B petitions and any associated Form I-907 premium processing requests available for online filing.
• Employers will still be permitted to file Forms I-129 and I-907 on paper with USCIS.
• The agency will hold informational sessions starting on January 23 to provide the public with more information on the new tools.

To view entire article, click here.

 

France, January 12, 2024
Special Streamlined Visa Processes Introduced for Olympic Athletes, Staff, Official Guests

• France launched a system to facilitate the visa applications of certain attendees of the Olympic and Paralympic Games in 2024.
• This so-called ‘Olympic Consulate’ will process the short-stay visa applications for accredited athletes, staff, sports teams, delegations, and media (among others) – who will benefit from priority processing, waived visa application and service fees, minimal documentary requirements and the ability to keep their travel document or passport throughout the process instead of submitting it to authorities.
• Additionally, as a warning, travelers planning to travel or relocate to France during this period should be aware that appointment and processing delays are expected due to a significant influx of visitors.

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United States, January 12, 2024
February 2024 Visa Bulletin: Modest Advancement in Worldwide EB-2 and EB-3, EB-3 India, and EB-5 China; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Categories

• In February, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s February 2024 Visa Bulletin.
• The Dates for Filing remain unchanged from the prior month.
• The EB-2 Final Action Date for all countries except India and China will advance by two weeks, to November 15, 2022.
• The EB-3 Professional/Skilled Worker Final Action Date for India will advance by one month, to July 1, 2012. Final Action Dates for the remaining countries (except China) in the category will advance by one month, to September 1, 2022.
• The EB-5 China Unreserved Final Action Date will advance by one week, to December 15, 2015.

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Malta, January 12, 2024
New Highly Skilled Work Permit Option for Non-EU Nationals

• In January 2024, Malta launched the ‘Specialist Employee Initiative’ as a new highly skilled work permit option for non-EU nationals.
• Among other requirements, applicants must be working for a Maltese-registered company, with an annual gross salary of at least EUR 25,000, and have adequate educational qualifications or professional experience.
• The ‘Specialist Employee Initiative’ provides employers with a further pathway to onboard highly skilled foreign talent, ensuring employers can choose from a wider pool of global talent.

To view entire article, click here.