Weekly Immigration Update: January 5–11, 2024

Ecuador, January 10, 2024
State of Emergency Affecting Mobility and Immigration Processing

• Escalating violence and security concerns in Ecuador are limiting mobility and causing immigration service disruptions.
• Due to security concerns, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility has closed all its branches.
• Employers and foreign nationals will not be able to submit initial or renewal visa applications in Ecuador and will not receive adjudications on their applications until the Ministry reopens.
• Service disruptions and processing delays for all other immigration-related applications can also be expected until the situation normalizes.
• Fragomen is working with affected clients on a case-by-case basis.

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Netherlands, January 10, 2024
Immigration Authority Implements Several Elements of Revised EU Blue Card Directive

• The Immigration and Naturalization Service (IND) has amended the rules for the EU Blue Card permit, mirroring several elements of the revised EU Blue Card Directive.
• Under the reforms, the IND has established alternate professional experience application pathways for information and communication technology managers or professionals. Employment contract durations have also been reduced.
• The rules also expand eligibility to international protection beneficiaries, and provide more generous long-term mobility options, while retaining existing short-term mobility options.
• Although these rule changes already went into effect, the Netherlands has not yet formally transposed the revised EU Blue Card directive. This is expected to occur in early 2024, and may further change the country's EU Blue Card policy.

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United States, January 9, 2024
DHS Fee Rule Under Federal Review – Steep Increases Anticipated for Employment-Based Petitioners

• A final DHS fee regulation that would increase the filing fees for many immigration benefit filings has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review.
• The new fee regulation is expected to increase and create separate fees for H-1B, L-1, and other nonimmigrant case types, increase the H-1B cap registration fee, impose an additional fee on Forms I-129 and I-140, increase premium processing timelines, and unbundle adjustment of status and ancillary benefit fees, among other measures.
• The final regulation is slated to be published in April 2024, but could be finalized earlier.

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South Korea, January 8, 2024
Digital Nomad Visa Trial Program Introduced

• The government of South Korea announced that a digital nomad visa called the ‘Workcation Visa’ is now available. It is currently in a trial program for an indefinite period.
• The visa will allow eligible foreign nationals (and family members) to reside in South Korea while teleworking for their home employer for up to two years.
• Eligibility requirements include a sufficient minimum income according to government regulations; a clean criminal record; and work experience in their field for at least one year, among other requirements.

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Kenya, January 5, 2024
New Visa Waiver for All Nationals; Electronic Travel Authorization Required for Some

• All foreign nationals, regardless of nationality, can now enter Kenya without a visa for tourism or business travel for stays up to 90 days, as of January 1, 2024.
• Travelers must obtain a new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) online prior to travel. The ETA costs USD 30 and government processing takes up to three business days.
• East African Community nationals are exempt from the ETA requirement.
• The ETA is only valid for one trip and affected travelers must obtain a new ETA for each visit to Kenya.

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