Weekly Immigration Update: May 12–18, 2023

United States, May 17, 2023
Florida Broadens Its E-Verify Requirement, Enacts Prohibitions Against Certain Foreign Ownership of Real Estate and Other Immigration-Related Restrictions

• Beginning July 1, 2023, a new Florida law will require employers with 25 or more employees in Florida to use E-Verify to check the employment eligibility of all new hires, and will impose state civil and criminal penalties on employers who hire individuals without employment authorization.
• Also effective July 1, 2023, individuals and entities from certain countries of concern will be prohibited from owning certain types of real property in Florida, with exceptions for U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and certain individuals purchasing a qualifying residence.
• Court challenges to aspects of the new laws are anticipated.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Canada, May 17, 2023
Accession to Hague’s Apostille Convention

• Canada will join the Convention Abolishing the Requirements of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, commonly referred to as the “Apostille Convention” or the “Hague Convention”, on January 11, 2024. 
• Canada’s accession to the Apostille Convention will allow documents originating in Canada, such as education certificates, birth and marriage certificates, and corporate records, and those legalized according to the requirements of the treaty, to be accepted in the other member countries.
• The new process streamlines recruitment and immigration processing for employers and foreign nationals in Canada by reducing processing times and lowering the cost of document legalization by avoiding complicated legalization steps at consulates. It also streamlines immigration processes for Canadian nationals in other Hague member countries. However, individuals should expect temporary delays as the new process is implemented across consulates. 

To view entire article, click here.

 

Czech Republic, May 16, 2023
EU Blue Card Improvements and Long-Term Visa Restrictions Forthcoming

The Czech Parliament has approved amendments to immigration laws that would, among other changes:

• Improve various terms for EU Blue Card applicants to align with the EU Blue Card Directive; and
• Restrict eligibility for Long-Term Visa and Residence Permit applicants.

These changes are likely to come into effect no earlier than September 2023.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, May 12, 2023
June 2023 Visa Bulletin Update: USCIS to Honor Final Action Dates for Employment-Based Categories

Next month, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Final Action Dates listed in the State Department’s June 2023 Visa Bulletin.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, May 12, 2023
June 2023 Visa Bulletin: Most Employment-Based Categories Hold Steady and EB-5 India Retrogresses in June; EB-3 India Retrogression Possible in July

• In June, EB-5 India will retrogress by more than one year to April 1, 2017.
• EB-1 and EB-2 cutoff dates for all countries will remain the same in June.
• EB-3 cutoff dates for all countries and categories will remain the same, except for China “Other Workers,” which will advance modestly.
• The State Department anticipates retrogression for EB-3 India – including Professionals/Skilled Workers – as early as July.

To view entire article, click here.