Weekly Immigration Update: June 2–8, 2023
June 8, 2023
In immigration news this week:
- United States: According to the State Department July Visa Bulletin, most employment-based immigrant visa categories will hold steady. EB-3 India will retrogress steeply, while most other EB-3 countries, excluding China, will retrogress moderately.
- Canada: Effective immediately, the Canadian government has approved visa-free entry for nationals of 13 additional countries when traveling to Canada by air for tourism or business, if they meet certain criteria.
- Azerbaijan: Effective May 16, the government implemented several restrictions to residence and work rights for foreign nationals in Azerbaijan.
- Worldwide/Russia: Russians applying at the Slovak Embassy for Schengen visas may be required to obtain a verified invitation in addition to the standard documents submitted with their visa application. See our consolidated alert for details.
These items and other news from Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany, Guyana, Hong Kong SAR, Italy, Lithuania, Malaysia, Nigeria, Oman, Panama, Senegal, South Africa, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
United States, June 8, 2023
July 2023 Visa Bulletin: Most Employment-Based Categories Hold Steady; EB-3 India Retrogresses Steeply and EB-3 Rest of World, Mexico, and Philippines Retrogress Moderately
- In July, EB-3 India will retrogress by more than three years to January 1, 2009.
- EB-3 for all other countries except China will retrogress by four months to February 1, 2022.
- EB-1, EB-2, and EB-5 cutoff dates for all countries will remain the same in July.
- The Dates for Filing chart cutoff dates will remain the same in July.
To view entire article, click here.
Canada, June 6, 2023
Visa Waiver Program Expanded to Additional Nationalities
- Canada will allow nationals of 13 countries to enter without a visa by air for tourism or business if they either held a Canadian temporary resident visa in the last 10 years or if they currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa.
- The 13 countries are: Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Costa Rica, Morocco, Panama, the Philippines, Seychelles, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Uruguay.
- These individuals will no longer need to obtain a temporary resident visa but instead must utilize the electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) program, like other visa-exempt nationals.
- Eligible foreign nationals will find a streamlined process for entering Canada as the eTA is usually issued electronically within minutes of filing as opposed to obtaining a temporary resident visa, which can take months.
To view entire article, click here.
Azerbaijan, June 2, 2023
Residence Right and Work Permit Exemption Restrictions Implemented
The government has restricted several immigration categories in Azerbaijan:
- Deputy directors, some directors, and some founders and shareholders of legal entities with foreign investment established in Azerbaijan must apply for work permit as they no longer qualify for a work permit exemption; and
- Fewer foreign nationals qualify for temporary and permanent residence in Azerbaijan, which is meant to restrict the foreign national pool of workers.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Australia/United Kingdom, June 2, 2023
Free Trade Agreement to Bring Immigration Benefits
Canada, June 7, 2023
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program Expected to Reopen with Stricter Criteria
Costa Rica, June 6, 2023
Air Transit Visa Now Required for More Foreign Nationals, Among Other Restrictions
Denmark, June 5, 2023
Some Applications No Longer Accepted in Paper Form
Germany, June 5, 2023
Relaxed Rules for Foreign Nurses
Guyana, June 7, 2023
Restrictions on Issuance of Visitor Visas on Arrival Implemented
Hong Kong SAR, June 2, 2023
Expanded Talent List Introduced
Hong Kong SAR, June 2, 2023
Expansion of Criminal Conviction Declaration Requirement Forthcoming
Italy, June 8, 2023
Significant Delays in Scheduling “Contract of Stay” Appointments in Milan
Lithuania, June 7, 2023
Internal Schengen Border Controls Temporarily Reinstated
Malaysia, June 5, 2023
Centralized Platform for Expatriate Support Letter Application Introduced
Nigeria, June 5, 2023
New Indefinite CERPAC Card; New Comptroller-General of Immigration
Oman, June 8, 2023
Self-Service Medical Fitness Examination Tool Launched
Panama, June 2, 2023
Visa Renewal Deadlines Extended to Incentivize Regularization
Senegal, June 7, 2023
Immigration Processing Delays Due to Ongoing Protests
South Africa, June 8, 2023
Further Extension of Zimbabwean Exemption Permit to December 31, 2023
United Arab Emirates, June 8, 2023
Grace Period for Overstays for Most Categories of Visitors Now Discontinued
United Arab Emirates, June 8, 2023
Select Free Zones Clarify that Unemployment Insurance Scheme is Optional for Employees of Registered Companies
United Kingdom, June 6, 2023
Fee for Electronic Travel Authorisation for Gulf Cooperation Council Nationals Announced
United Kingdom, June 6, 2023
Time Spent Under Short-Term Visas No Longer Counts Towards Permanent Residence
United States, June 7, 2023
ICE Issues Termination of SEVP COVID-19 Flexibilities After 2023 Summer Semester
United States, June 8, 2023
May 2023 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
