Weekly Immigration Update: July 14–20, 2023

United Kingdom, July 19, 2023
Second Ballot for India Young Professional Scheme to Open July 25

• The Home Office will open the second (and final) ballot for the 2023 India Young Professional Scheme on July 25, 2023 and will close the ballot on July 27, 2023 under the same guidance issued for the first ballot.
• The scheme is reciprocal – nationals of each country can apply to live, study, travel and work in each other’s country.
• At this time, there is no official announcement of a second ballot from the government of India; however, they usually announce ballots closer to the date they will open. Fragomen will report on any developments.

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United Kingdom, July 18, 2023  
Restrictions on Student Visas and Access to Pre-Settled Status for Qualifying Individuals, Among Other Clarifications and Amendments, in New Statement of Changes

Among other updates, the new Statement of Changes:

• Introduces new restrictive rules for student visas that prohibit students from switching onto work routes until they have completed their course of study and from sponsoring dependents unless on designated courses;
• Implements a High Court decision stating that individuals with pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme did not lose their residence rights if they did not submit an application;
• Closes two routes to new applicants under the EU Settlement Scheme which granted residence rights to: (1) family members of qualifying British citizens on their return to the United Kingdom after exercising free movements rights in the European Economic Area or Switzerland; and (2) the primary carers of British citizens; and
• Adds construction and fishing occupations to the Shortage Occupation List.

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Canada, July 17, 2023

Work Permit Stream Now Open for Individuals Holding H-1B Status in United States; Additional Guidance Published

• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has opened the work permit stream for individuals holding H-1B specialty occupation status in the United States and published related guidelines on its website the same day.
• Under this stream, individuals currently holding H-1B specialty occupation status and residing in the United States can apply for an open work permit in Canada (which allows foreign nationals to work in almost any occupation for employers across Canada) valid for up to three years.
• The measure will remain in effect for one year or until IRCC receives 10,000 applications, whichever comes first. It is expected to fill up rapidly.

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Russia, July 14, 2023
Wide-ranging Changes to Highly Qualified Specialist Employee Framework

With effect from January 7, 2024, Russia’s Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) employee regime will undergo wide-ranging changes, including (among others):

• Eligible HQS employees will be able to apply for standard permanent residence permits;
• Documentary requirements for HQS work permit applications (including renewals) will be relaxed; and
• Restrictions will be made to the allowable regions to which employers can apply for HQS permits.

To view entire article, click here.