Weekly Immigration Update: March 10–16, 2023
March 16, 2023
In immigration news this week:
- Worldwide: As we enter the endemic phase of the COVID-19 era, travel restrictions and health requirements are waning based on growing vaccination initiatives, though some countries are imposing testing requirements for travelers from Mainland China, Macau SAR and/or Hong Kong SAR. We are tracking related updates on our COVID-19 website.
- United States: Employers and their immigration counsel have until March 17 at noon ET to submit registrations for the FY 2024 H-1B cap lottery. As of March 10, there is no longer a COVID test requirement for air travelers coming from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from March 18, 2023 to September 17, 2024. DHS is also suspending certain employment authorization restrictions for Somali students in F-1 status.
- Panama: The Ministry of Labor has published a decree which restructures Panama’s work permit categories and implements numerous other changes to work permit regulations.
- Minimum salary updates: Estonia and Oman have revised minimum salary thresholds. See our consolidated alert for details.
- European Union/Ukraine: Croatia has published guidelines on extending the Temporary Protection Status. In the Netherlands, there is a delay in the Immigration and Naturalisation Service sending letters to Temporary Protection Status extension applicants. See our consolidated alert for details.
- European Union: As an update to our previous news brief, following a meeting of the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (EU-Lisa), the Entry/Exit System (EES) will not be operational in 2023.
These items and other news from Estonia, Hong Kong SAR, Italy, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
Panama, March 14, 2023
Significant Work Permit Reforms Implemented
- The Ministry of Labor has published a decree which restructures Panama’s work permit categories and implements numerous other changes to work permit regulations.
- Under the decree, there are overall stricter quota requirements for employers in Panama but relaxed quota requirements for short-term technicians; stricter work permit rules for SEM and EMMA visa holders; stricter documentary requirements for certain employers; and new work permit options for self-employed foreign nationals and students, among numerous other changes.
- Though the decree is effective immediately, the Ministry has granted a grace period until March 31, 2023 so that foreign nationals who already hold a valid work permit in Panama or submit their work permit application on or before that date are unaffected by the changes
To view entire article, click here.
United States, March 13, 2023
FY 2024 H-1B Cap Registration Period Closes March 17
- Employers and their immigration counsel have until Friday, March 17 at noon ET to submit registrations for the FY 2024 H-1B cap lottery.
- Employers should work with their Fragomen team to complete their review and approval of draft registrations as soon as possible.
- USCIS is expected to receive a very large number of online registrations during the registration period. Technical issues are possible as a result. Early completion and submission can help minimize problems.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, March 13, 2023
DHS Extends and Redesignates Somalia for Temporary Protected Status; Expands Employment Options for Somali F-1 Students
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Somalia for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from March 18, 2023 to September 17, 2024.
- The registration period for new TPS applicants will run from March 13, 2023 to September 17, 2024. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
- Current Somali TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register between March 13, 2023 and May 12, 2023. Those whose current EADs will expire before receiving a new one will receive an automatic extension through March 17, 2024.
- DHS has also announced that it will suspend certain employment authorization restrictions for Somali students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the crisis in Somalia.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, March 10, 2023
CDC Lifts COVID Test Requirement for Travel from China
- As of March 10, 2023 at 3pm ET, there is no longer a COVID test requirement for air travelers coming from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
- Nonimmigrants traveling to the United States from abroad remain subject to COVID vaccination requirements, unless eligible for an exception.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Estonia, March 10, 2023
Higher Minimum Funds Requirements and New Language Requirement for Renewals
Hong Kong SAR, March 16, 2023
Relaunch of Residency-by-Investment Scheme Announced
Italy, March 14, 2023
Updated Quota and Longer Residence Permit Renewal Validity
Russia, March 14, 2023
New Vaccination Requirement for Work Permit Holders
Saudi Arabia, March 15, 2023
E-Visa Eligibility Expanded to GCC Residents of All Professions
Singapore, March 16, 2023
Global Investor Program Threshold Increased
Taiwan, March 13, 2023
New Polio Vaccination Requirement for Certain Travelers
United States, March 16, 2023
Global Entry Opens to Eligible Citizens of Croatia
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
