Weekly Immigration Update: January 27–February 2, 2023

Switzerland, February 2, 2023
Implementation of Relaxed Rules for Highly-Skilled Non-EU Nationals

The Swiss Federal Council has implemented the following measures to streamline third-country nationals’ residence and work permit processes:

• Employers seeking to hire third-country nationals in industries with a skills shortage (the government has published this list) may no longer need to conduct a labor market test;
• Third-country nationals in skills shortage occupations may be eligible for a residence permit even without an academic education; and

Foreign nationals who have been granted a B-permit with no restrictions or conditions, may apply for self-employment through a facilitated process with simplified requirements

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Kingdom, January 31, 2023
Tech Nation, Processor of Digital Technology Visas, to Cease Operations

• Tech Nation, the vendor that processes visas under the Digital Technology category of the Global Talent route, will wind down operations as of March 31, 2023 due to funding issues.
• As a result, Tech Nation will shortly stop endorsing visa applicants for this category.
• Tech Nation has stated that it will continue to accept new endorsement applications; however, they have not announced at what date they will stop accepting new applications.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Slovakia, January 31, 2023
Visa for Highly-Skilled Foreign Nationals and Relocated Employees Now Available

• Highly-skilled foreign nationals can apply for a temporary employment permit (National Visa) valid for up to one year, with the possibility of an extension.
• The National Visa is suitable for foreign nationals outside of the European Union seeking relocation to a Slovakian entity of their current employer or highly-qualified foreign nationals from specified universities seeking initial employment in Slovakia

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, January 27, 2023
USCIS Announces Registration Schedule for FY 2024 H-1B Cap Season

• The FY 2024 cap registration period will open at noon ET on March 1, 2023 and will close at noon ET on March 17, 2023. All cap registrations must be drafted and submitted online during this period.
• Prospective H-1B cap employers may use their existing “registrant” myUSCIS accounts for FY 2024 cap registration. Employers setting up new “registrant” accounts may do so beginning Tuesday, February 21 at noon ET and continuing through the registration period.
• After registration closes, USCIS will conduct the FY 2024 H-1B cap selection and notify sponsoring employers of selected entries by March 31, 2023.
• USCIS has not yet announced the period for submitting petitions for selected registrations, but it is expected to begin on Monday, April 3, 2023. The petition filing period will remain open for a minimum of 90 days.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, January 27, 2023
President Biden Extends and Expands Deferred Enforced Departure for Hong Kong

• President Biden has approved a two-year extension for Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for eligible Hong Kong residents.
• The President has also authorized an expansion of DED to cover eligible Hong Kong residents who arrived in the United States after the initial DED designation was announced in August 2021.

To view entire article, click here.