Weekly Immigration Update: January 12–19, 2023

Russia, January 18, 2023
Relaxed Rules for Temporary and Permanent Residence Permits

The Russian government has eased the requirements related to obtaining temporary residence permits (TRPs) and permanent residence permits (PRPs). Key changes include:

• a new rule that issues visa extensions in Russia;
• a new TRP for foreign full-time students; and
• a new method by which rejection notices for residence permits are issued, among other changes.

Most of the changes focus on attracting talent or streamlining processes in order to attract foreign nationals to Russia

To view entire article, click here.

 

Russia, January 18, 2023
New Permanent Residence Permits for Investors and Information Technology Specialists Introduced

• Effective immediately, the Russian government has implemented two new permanent residence permits (PRPs): one for foreign investors and the other for information technology (IT) specialists.
• Eligibility for the foreign investor PRP is based on applicants investing in what the government considers socially significant projects in Russia, creating or investing in current Russian legal entities or obtaining real estate of a specified value.
• Eligibility for the IT PRP requires individuals to have a contract with an employer in Russia and meet certain education requirements, among other criteria.
• The new PRPs will allow individuals an additional and faster route toward permanent residence and eventual citizenship in Russia.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, January 17, 2023
February 2023 Visa Bulletin Update – USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing for Employment-Based Categories

Next month, 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 2023 Visa Bulletin.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Lithuania, January 17, 2023
Changes to EU Blue Card Application Process and Employment Conditions

Lithuanian authorities have amended employment conditions and procedural steps for EU Blue Card holders, including (but not limited to):

• Flexibility in qualification requirements;
• Shorter employment contract durations; and,
• Simplified processes for job or employer changes.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, January 13, 2023
February 2023 Visa Bulletin – Main Employment-Based Categories Hold Steady

• Next month, EB-1 India and EB-1 China will maintain their Final Action cutoff date of February 1, 2022, and their Dates for Filing cutoff date of June 1, 2022.
• The EB-2 India Final Action date will remain at October 8, 2011. The EB-2 India Dates for Filing cutoff will remain at May 1, 2012.
• The EB-3 India Professional/Skilled Worker Final Action date will remain at June 15, 2012, and the Dates for Filing cutoff will remain at August 1, 2012.
• The EB-3 China Professional/Skilled Worker category will remain at August 1, 2018 for Final Action, and September 1, 2018 for Dates for Filing.
• All EB-3 Other Workers countries except for India and China will retrogress to January 1, 2020 for Final Action and February 1, 2020 for Dates for Filing.
• The Final Action Dates and Dates for Filing for all other employment-based categories will remain the same in February.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Malaysia, January 13, 2023
Additional Approval or Registration Requirement for Companies Hiring Foreign Nationals Under MDEC

• Starting February 1, 2023, companies hiring foreign nationals under the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will need to obtain an approval letter from the Department of Labour Peninsular Malaysia (JTKSM) or at least a proof of submission of registration at JTKSM when applying for Projection applications.
• Companies must register under the appropriate sector or industry with the JTKSM, specific to the immigration category of the foreign national they are seeking to hire.
• Companies who do not obtain the required approval or submit a registration will not be able to apply for Work Pass Projections which are required to apply for Work Passes for foreign nationals in Malaysia

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, January 12, 2023
DHS to Extend and Redesignate Somalia for Temporary Protected Status

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced an 18-month extension of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Somalia, through September 17, 2024.
• DHS is also redesignating Somalia for TPS, allowing Somali nationals residing in the United States as of January 11, 2023 to apply for initial TPS.
• Details on applying for TPS under the extension and redesignation will be contained in an upcoming Federal Register notice.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, January 12, 2023
USCIS Expands Premium Processing Eligibility to All EB-1 Multinational Manager and EB-2 National Interest Waiver I-140 Filings, Including New Petitions

• Beginning January 30, 2023, USCIS will accept Form I-907 Premium Processing requests for all new and pending EB-1 Multinational Executive and Manager Form I-140 petitions and EB-2 National Interest Waiver (NIW) I-140 petitions.
• This is the final phase of premium processing expansion for these EB-1 and EB-2 NIW Form I-140 petitions and the first phase to include initial petitions.
• USCIS also announced plans to expand premium processing in phases over Spring 2023 to certain F-1 students with pending and initial Form I-765 OPT and STEM OPT applications, and certain students and exchange visitors seeking a change or extension of status on Form I-539.

To view entire article, click here.