Important Updates
Important Updates
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
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Weekly Immigration Update: July 14–20, 2023

July 20, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • United Kingdom: The second (and final) ballot for the 2023 India Young Professional Scheme will be open July 25–27. Successful applicants under the Scheme can live, work, and study in the UK for a period of 24 months. Also in the UK, the recently published Statement of Changes introduces new restrictive rules on student visas and access to pre-settled status for qualifying individuals, among other changes.
  • Russia: Effective January 7, 2024, the Highly Qualified Specialist (HQS) employee framework will undergo a wide range of changes, including those that both restrict and relax certain aspects of the existing rule.
  • Canada: On July 17, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) received enough applications to exhaust the 10,000 spots under the work permit stream for individuals holding H-1B status in the United States. See our alert for details.

These items and other news from Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Canada, Czech Republic, Ireland, Norway, Oman, Panama, Portugal, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

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.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

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.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

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.

To view entire article, click here.

 

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.

Other weekly news briefs

Azerbaijan/United Arab Emirates, July 14, 2023
Tourist Visa Waiver Agreement Implemented

Bahrain, July 20, 2023
Three-Year National Labor Market Plan Announced

Canada, July 17, 2023
Family Reunification Permanent Residence Pathway for Ukrainian Citizens Announced

Canada, July 17, 2023
Relaxed Education Requirements for Certain Permanent Residence Applicants from Hong Kong SAR

Canada/United Kingdom, July 14, 2023
Bilateral Youth Mobility Arrangement Signed

Czech Republic, July 20, 2023
EU Blue Card Amendments, Residence Restrictions in Force Earlier than Expected

Ireland, July 14, 2023
Visa Requirement for Certain Non-Ukrainian Refugees Extended Another 12 Months

Norway, July 20, 2023
Norwegian Police No Longer Adjudicate Entry of Certain Onshore and Fixed Installation Workers Prior to Arrival at Border 

Oman, July 18, 2023
Implementation Deadlines Issued for the Wages Protections System

Panama, July 18, 2023
New Temporary Protection Residence Permit Released

Portugal, July 20, 2023
Parliament Approves End of Two Golden Visa Pathways

Russia, July 14, 2023
Update on Medical Test Rules for Highly Qualified Specialists’ Dependents  

Saudi Arabia, July 18, 2023
Saudization Requirements for Select Private Schools Announced

United Kingdom, July 19, 2023
Visas Now Required for Certain Previously Visa-Exempt Nationals

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

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