Weekly Immigration Update: March 22–28, 2024

Netherlands, March 28, 2024
Review Commences Into Recent ‘30 Percent’ Preferential Tax Rule Restrictions

• Following the commencement of restrictions earlier this year on the ‘30 percent’ preferential tax treatment for highly-skilled foreign workers, the Dutch Ministry of Finance has decided to commission research agency SEO Amsterdam Economics to assess the impact of this policy change.
• The review may affect whether the current restrictions remain in place.
• As part of this process, stakeholder input is being sought.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Ireland, March 28, 2024
Residence Permit Application Process Changes for Residents of Certain Counties

• The application process (including renewals) for Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards has changed for residents of Counties Kildare, Meath, and Wicklow.
• First time IRP applicants from these counties must now apply in person at the Burgh Quay Registration Office in Dublin; while IRP renewal applicants from these counties must now apply online, using the Immigration Service Delivery Online portal.
• Many first-time applicants may now face a more difficult application process given they now need to travel to Dublin; while renewal applicants now benefit from a simpler process.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Germany, March 26, 2024
New Citizenship Law to Enter into Force in June 2024

• On March 26, 2024, the legislative process for the citizenship law was completed and the law will enter into force on June 26, 2024.
• Among other changes, the law will:
  • reduce the minimum period of German residence necessary for naturalization to five years (and even three years in exceptional circumstances), down from eight years.
  • allow German citizens to hold multiple citizenships whereas currently, dual citizenship is possible only in rare circumstances.
• This law is expected to increase uptake of German citizenship, especially as many potential citizenship applicants are citizens of other countries and therefore currently barred from naturalizing without giving up their current citizenship. It is also likely to make Germany a more attractive labour market for foreign talent, as access to a German passport will be easier.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, March 25, 2024
New USCIS Fees to Take Effect April 1, with Significant Increases for Employment-Based Filings

• Effective April 1, 2024, USCIS will increase and create separate filing fees for H-1B, L-1, and other temporary worker case types. The H-1B petition fee will rise to $780, from $460, a 70% increase. The L-1 petition fee will increase to $1,385, from $460 – a 201% rise. Certain small employers and nonprofits will be subject to reduced fees, however.
• In addition to increased base filing fees, Forms I-129 and Forms I-140 will be subject to a new Asylum Program Fee of $600. Qualifying nonprofit petitioners will be exempt from the new fee, while small employers will be subject to a reduced fee of $300.
• The fee for H-1B cap registration will increase to $215, from $10, per registered beneficiary, though the increase will not take effect until the FY 2026 cap season, which begins in March 2025.
• The rule also lengthens the premium processing timeframe from calendar days to business days and unbundles adjustment of status and ancillary benefit fees, among other measures.
• Although the new fee schedule has been challenged in court, unless a court enjoins all or part of the new USCIS fee rule, the new fees will take effect as scheduled on April 1.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, March 25, 2024
DHS Extends and Redesignates Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status; Extends Relaxed Employment Options for Burmese F-1 Students

• The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from May 26, 2024 through November 25, 2025.
• The registration period for new TPS applicants will run from March 25, 2024 to November 25, 2025. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
• Current Burmese TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register between March 25, 2024 and May 24, 2024. Those whose current EADs will expire before receiving a new one will receive an automatic extension through May 25, 2025.
• DHS is also extending the relaxation of certain employment authorization rules for Burmese students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Burma.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, March 25, 2024
Immigration Agencies Funded for the Rest of FY 2024

Over the weekend, Congress passed a minibus spending package that will fund several federal agencies – including immigration agencies – through September 30, 2024, and President Biden signed the bill into law.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Canada, March 22, 2024
Temporary Resident Numbers to be Revisited Through New Measures

• In line with the government’s goal to reduce the temporary resident population in Canada from 6.2% to 5% over the next three years, the government has now announced that certain temporary relaxed policies under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will not be renewed and will end earlier than planned. As a result, effective May 1, 2024:
  • Labour Market Impact Assessments will be valid for six months, down from the current 12-month validity; and
  • The cap for low-wage foreign workers employed by employers in certain sectors will decrease from 30% to 20%.
• Employers will need to better manage their labour needs and may have less flexibility to hire foreign nationals instead of Canadians.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, March 22, 2024
USCIS Extends FY 2025 H-1B Cap Registration Deadline to March 25 at Noon ET

• USCIS is extending the registration deadline because of outages that affected the H-1B cap registration system.
• Employers and their immigration counsel will have more time to submit registrations for the FY 2025 H-1B cap selection lotteries. The original deadline was noon ET today.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Qatar, March 22, 2024
New Five-year Residence Permit for Talented Individuals and Entrepreneurs Announced

The government of Qatar announced the launch of a new residence permit program for talented individuals and entrepreneurs, which will allow them to work and reside in Qatar for five years, with the possibility of renewal.

• The new residence permit offers foreign nationals the opportunity for long-term stability and investment in Qatar, while also signaling continued efforts by the Qatari government to attract and retain talented individuals and entrepreneurs who can boost economic growth and innovation in the country.
• The new residence permit program is expected to open for applications in the next few months.

To view entire article, click here.