Important Updates
Important Updates
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Implements Key Reforms to the Immigrant Nominee Program
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Québec Reopens Skilled Worker Program and Unveils Selection Criteria
July 3, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Temporary Pause on Issuing Freelance Visas
July 3, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee to Assess Salary Thresholds, Temporary Shortage List Occupations
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Ontario Implements Key Reforms to the Immigrant Nominee Program
July 3, 2025 | CanadaCanada: Québec Reopens Skilled Worker Program and Unveils Selection Criteria
July 3, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: Temporary Pause on Issuing Freelance Visas
July 3, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee to Assess Salary Thresholds, Temporary Shortage List Occupations
July 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Congress Passes Budget Reconciliation Bill with Immigration Impact
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Weekly Immigration Update: March 15–21, 2024

March 21, 2024

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In immigration news this week:

  • United States: Employers and their immigration counsel have until Friday, March 22, at noon ET to submit registrations for the FY 2025 H-1B cap lottery.
  • Romania: Effective March 8, Romania has implemented laws which relax its EU Blue Card framework, as well as other changes, including extended permit validity periods and relaxed access to certain work permits.
  • Taiwan: Effective March 1, the government adopted several key changes to its immigration policy, including those related to entry bans, entry ban fines, extensions of right of stay, and government notifications.
  • United Kingdom: A newly published Statement of Changes further restricts immigration through increased salary requirements, among other restrictions.
  • Panama: The government has extended the deadline to June 30, 2024 for foreign nationals in Panama whose visas expired on or after March 13, 2020 to regularize their status. See our news brief for details.
  • Minimum salary update: In Romania, the government lowered the EU Blue Card minimum salary level. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • South Africa: There has been an update to the legislative appeal process regarding Zimbabwean Exemption Permits. See our news brief for details.
  • Australia: There are updates to the forthcoming laws that seek to strengthen employers’ compliance responsibilities and protect foreign workers from exploitation. See our news brief for details.

These items and other news from Australia, Indonesia, Mozambique, and Romania follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Taiwan, March 21, 2024
Overstay Ban and Fines Restricted; Extension Policy Relaxed, in New Immigration Policy Updates

The Taiwanese government adopted several key changes to its immigration policy, particularly regarding entry bans, related fines, extensions of right of stay, and government notifications, including:

  • Allowing extensions for visitor visa holders;
  • Extending the amount of days by which foreign nationals must notify the government if they change their address;
  • Extending the time by which foreign nationals must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate from their date of entry; and
  • Extending certain entry ban durations.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, March 18, 2024
FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration Period Closes March 22

  • Employers and their immigration counsel have until Friday, March 22, at noon ET to submit registrations for the FY 2025 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 rolled out a new registration system this year and is expected to again receive a large number of registrations. Continuing technical issues are possible, so early completion and submission of registrations can help minimize problems.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Kingdom, March 14, 2024
New Statement of Changes Further Restricts Immigration through Increased Salary Requirements, Among Other Restrictions

Among other updates, the new Statement of Changes will:

  • Increase the minimum general salary threshold and ‘going rates’ for the Skilled Worker Route, effective April 4, 2024;
  • Abolish the Shortage Occupation List and replace it with the Immigration Salary List, effective April 4, 2024;
  • Broaden the work that a sponsored worker can perform outside sponsored work, effective April 4, 2024; and
  • Increase Family Route minimum salary requirements, effective April 11, 2024.

These changes are intended to reduce net migration to the United Kingdom.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Romania, March 15, 2024
EU Blue Card Regulations Implemented Alongside Other Reforms

Effective March 8, 2024, Romania has implemented laws which relax its EU Blue Card framework (in line with the revised EU Blue Card Directive), as well as other changes, including extending permit validity periods and relaxing access to certain work permits. Key EU Blue Card-related changes include:

  • EU Blue Card permits may now be valid for up to three years;
  • Certain EU Blue Card applicants may also be eligible based on professional experience alone; and
  • Relaxed family reunification eligibility, business activity rules, and employment contract duration requirements.

These changes, which largely relax both EU Blue Card and non-EU Blue Card immigration pathways, are likely to increase the attractiveness of Romania to highly skilled foreign workers, and reduce talent management challenges for employers.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Australia, March 21, 2024
New Permanent Resident Visa Program for Nationals of Pacific Island Countries and Timor Leste To Be Implemented

Indonesia, March 15, 2024
New Job Vacancies Report Requirement for Employers

Indonesia, March 15, 2024
Longer Visit Visa Extension Periods

Indonesia, March 15, 2024
Limited Stay Permit Extension Rules Restricted

Mozambique, March 15, 2024
Immigration Fees Increased

Romania, March 19, 2024
Shortened Government Notification Deadline for Changes in Various Conditions 

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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