Weekly Immigration Update: March 3–9, 2023

United Kingdom, March 9, 2023
ETA Updates and Expansion of Youth Mobility Scheme with New Zealand, Among Other Clarifications and Changes, in New Statement of Changes

Among other updates, the new Statement of Changes confirms that:

• The Electronic Travel Authorisation scheme will come into effect in October 2023 for nationals of Qatar and on February 22, 2024 for nationals of Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates;
• Under the Youth Mobility Scheme for New Zealand nationals, the age range and allowable length of stay have been expanded;
• The new Innovator Founder Route (which replaces the old Innovator Route) eliminates the old GBP 50,000 minimum funds requirement and provides more flexible provisions under the program; and
• The salary thresholds for skilled workers and others have increased.

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United States, March 6, 2023
USCIS Expands Premium Processing Eligibility to Certain F-1 OPT and STEM OPT Applications

• Starting today, USCIS will accept Form I-907 premium processing requests for F-1 students with a pending Form I-765 employment authorization document (EAD) application if the student is filing for pre- or post-completion OPT, or for a STEM OPT extension.
• Starting April 3, the agency will accept premium processing requests from these students when their Form I-907 is filed concurrently with a Form I-765 employment authorization application.
• The Form I-907 fee for these newly eligible categories is $1,500, and the premium processing timeframe is 30 calendar days after USCIS receives all prerequisites for the adjudication.
• USCIS will accept both online and paper filings of Form I-907 for these F-1 EAD applications.

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Singapore, March 3, 2023
New Educational Qualification Verification Requirement for Employment Pass Applicants Forthcoming

• Starting September 1, 2023, employers of new Employment Pass (EP) applicants will be required to submit a verification for their foreign nationals’ educational qualifications when filing EP applications.
• Furthermore, starting September 1, 2024, employers of renewal EP applicants will be required to submit this verification as well.
• Employers must submit verification in the form of confirmation from a government-certified background screening company.
• Applicants may experience delays in the processing of EP applications due to the additional step, which can take up to four weeks or more to obtain.

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