Important Updates
Important Updates
September 30, 2025 | PolandPoland: Mandatory Online Processes Implemented for Work Permits and Contract Submission
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal Government Enters a Shutdown, Though Most Immigration Functions Remain in Operation
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Senators Grassley and Durbin Introduce H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act
September 30, 2025 | New ZealandNew Zealand: Major Changes Announced for Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
September 30, 2025 | United StatesPartner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"
September 30, 2025 | PolandPoland: Mandatory Online Processes Implemented for Work Permits and Contract Submission
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal Government Enters a Shutdown, Though Most Immigration Functions Remain in Operation
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Senators Grassley and Durbin Introduce H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act
September 30, 2025 | New ZealandNew Zealand: Major Changes Announced for Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
September 30, 2025 | United StatesPartner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"
September 30, 2025 | PolandPoland: Mandatory Online Processes Implemented for Work Permits and Contract Submission
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Weekly Immigration Update: May 31-June 6, 2019

June 6, 2019

insight-news-default

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

In immigration news this week:

  • United States: A Department of Homeland Security proposal is under review to impose a yet-to-be disclosed fee on employers who register for the H-1B cap under an online system that will take effect next year. The House of Representatives passed a bill to provide a path to permanent residence and citizenship for Dreamers and others, though the bill is not expected to be taken up on the Senate. Starting June 10, E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor visa status will be available to qualifying New Zealand employers and nationals.
  • Zambia: Foreign nationals will be allowed to apply for work authorization only for positions appearing on a new critical skills list, under a recently enacted employment act that took effect on June 1. The act also introduces new local worker succession plan requirements, requiring employers to designate a local understudy for each foreign national employee and create a training program.
  • Panama: Recently implemented immigration reforms extend the validity of some work permits and create a new visa for U.S. citizens seeking to study, work or invest.
  • Taiwan: A Work Permit holder’s same-sex spouse may apply for a dependent Alien Resident Certificate that will allow them to stay in Taiwan, provided both spouses come from a list of 26 countries that recognize same-sex marriage.


These items and other news from Canada, Malaysia, Mexico, Switzerland, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, June 5, 2019
U.S. Embassy in New Zealand Announces E-1/E-2 Treaty Trader and Investor Visas Available for New Zealand Nationals Starting June 10

Starting June 10, E-1 treaty trader and E-2 treaty investor visa status will be available to qualifying New Zealand employers and nationals.

To view article, click here.

 

Mexico, June 5, 2019
Immigration Processing Delays Expected Due to Government Restructure

  • Foreign nationals and their employers can expect significant processing delays for new temporary residence visas, permanent residence applications and corporate registrations due to a government restructure of personnel within several of its institutions, including the National Immigration Institute.
  • These delays could extend for several months, depending on how quickly the government finalizes the reorganization.


To view article, click here.

 

United States, June 5, 2019
House of Representatives Passes Relief Bill for Dreamers and Others

  • The bill would permit foreign nationals who entered the United States before the age of 18 and met other requirements to apply for conditional residence, with a path to full permanent residence and citizenship.
  • Nationals of countries designated for Temporary Protected Status, and those who have received a grant of Deferred Enforced Departure could apply for permanent residence within three years after enactment of the bill.
  • Though relief for Dreamers has bipartisan support, the bill is not expected to be taken up on the Senate.


To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, June 3, 2019
Visa Applicants Now Required to Disclose Social Media Use, Prior Contact Information

  • Foreign nationals must provide five years of social media history, email addresses and phone numbers when applying for a U.S nonimmigrant or immigrant visa.
  • The requirement is the latest step in the Trump Administration’s extreme vetting initiative.
  • Consular officers are likely to review the new information during the visa adjudication process, which could result in additional screening and visa issuance delays.


To view entire article, click here.

 

Zambia, May 31, 2019
New Occupational Limitations and Local Worker Succession Plan Requirements Introduced for Work Authorization Applications

  • Foreign nationals seeking to work in Zambia will be allowed to apply for work authorization only for positions appearing on a new critical skills list, under a recently enacted employment act that takes effect on June 1, 2019.
  • The act also introduces new local worker succession plan requirements, under which employers will have to designate a local understudy for each foreign national employee. They must also create a training program to ensure that skills are transferred from the foreign worker to his or her understudy.
  • Employers will be required to provide details of all foreign nationals to the Labour Commission, which will be maintaining a register of expatriate workers in the country.


To view entire article, click here.

 

Panama, May 31, 2019
Immigration Reforms Extend the Validity of Some Work Permits and Create a New Visa for US Citizens, Among Other Changes

Key changes of recently implemented immigration reforms include:

  • Longer validity periods for work permits in the 10% quota, 15% quota, short-term technical worker, professional worker, and spouse of a Panamanian national categories.
  • Process changes for professional work permit applications that will result in shorter lead times.
  • The creation of a new visa category for United States citizens seeking to study, work, or make an investment in Panama.


To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, May 31, 2019
Proposed H-1B Cap Registration Fee Under Federal Review

  • The Department of Homeland Security has submitted to the Office of Management and Budget a proposal to impose a fee on employers who register for the H-1B cap under an online system that will take effect next year.
  • Once OMB clears the proposal, it will be published in the Federal Register for public comment. It is expected to be made final in time for the FY 2021 H-1B cap season.
  • The fee amount is not yet known.


To view entire article, click here.

 

Taiwan, May 31, 2019
Same-Sex Spouses from 26 Countries Granted Dependent Status

  • Effective immediately, the same-sex spouse of a Work Permit holder may apply for a dependent Alien Resident Certificate that will allow them to stay in Taiwan, provided both spouses come from a list of 26 countries that recognize same-sex marriage.
  • A Taiwanese national in a same-sex marriage with a foreign national may also apply for a dependent Alien Resident Certificate for the foreign spouse provided the latter is a national of one of the 26 countries.


To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Weekly News Briefs

Canada: British Columbia Technology Pilot Program Extended – The British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program has announced that British Columbia’s Tech Pilot program will continue until June 2020. The Tech Pilot program was introduced in 2017 and provides a fast-tracked pathway to foreign nationals with a job offer in one of 29 eligible tech occupations. The job offer must be at least one year in duration and have at least 120 days remaining on it at the time of application. Employers will benefit from the ability to continue to hire internationally-trained technology workers with the required skills, experience and qualifications and international students who completed their education in Canada within two to three months of the submission of the application, which is faster than the typical processing time for a typical work permit in British Colombia.

Malaysia: Planned Fee Increases at MYXpats Postponed – The MYXpats Centre has suspended plans to increase processing fees for online transactions filed with the MYXpats Centre. The higher fees would have affected Employment Pass (EP), Dependant Pass (DP), Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications processed by MYXpats Centre. Fragomen will report on further developments on this topic.

Switzerland: Work and Residence Permit Quota for Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals Eliminated – Effective June 1, 2019, Bulgarian and Romanian nationals seeking to work and stay in Switzerland will be subject to the general rules applicable to other EU nationals, due to the expiry of the quota specific to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals. EU nationals must obtain work authorization subject to a quota limitation to work and stay in Switzerland. Previously, Bulgarians and Romanians were subject to a separate annual quota limitation of 966 spots. The change will benefit Bulgarian and Romanian nationals, who will no longer need to apply for a quota spot before filing their work permit applications.

United States: Latest PERM and PWD Processing Times – As of May 31, 2019, the Department of Labor (DOL) was conducting analyst review for PERM applications filed in April 2019 or earlier, and processing audited cases filed in November 2018 or earlier. DOL is working on standard reconsideration requests submitted in February 2019 or earlier. There is no update on the government error queue, though these cases appear to be current.  

DOL is issuing prevailing wage determinations for PERM and H-1B requests filed in February 2019. The agency has been processing PERM and H-1B redeterminations requested in April and May 2019, respectively, and PERM center director reviews requested in April 2019. There are no pending H-1B center director reviews. These reports are available on the iCERT page.

United States: Diversity Visa Applicants Now Require Valid Passport to Enter DV Lottery – Effective June 5, 2019, the State Department requires Diversity Visa applicants to provide information from a valid, unexpired passport when entering the Diversity Visa (DV) lottery. An interim final rule was published in the Federal Register and the agency is accepting comments on the rule through July 5, 2019.

The FY 2021 DV program registration is expected to begin in October 2019. The new electronic DV entry form will request the foreign national's passport number, passport country or authority of issuance, and passport expiration date. The requirement will apply only to the principal applicant, not to derivative family members, and the new rule contains exceptions for foreign nationals who are stateless, a national of a Communist-controlled country and unable to obtain a passport, or the beneficiary of a DHS waiver in certain circumstances. The regulation clarifies that failure to provide any information required by the DV entry form will result in disqualification of the applicant's entry for that fiscal year.

United States: Restrictions on Non-family Travel to Cuba Effective June 5 – Effective June 5, 2019, the Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is amending the Cuban Assets Control Regulations (CACR) to remove the authorization for group people-to-people educational travel. The amendment implements portions of President Trump's June 16, 2017 memorandum announcing a stricter U.S. policy toward Cuba. The amendment also provides a "grandfathering" provision to authorize group people-to-people educational travel that previously was authorized and where the traveler completed at least one travel-related transaction (such as purchasing a flight or reserving accommodation) prior to June 5, 2019. Travel-related transactions continue to be permitted by general licenses for certain categories of travel and certain authorized export transactions. A detailed FAQ and fact sheet on this amendment are available for review.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

Countries / Territories

  • 🌐

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Businesses Need to Be Ready for Government Crackdown on Sponsor Licences

Partner Louise Senior highlights the impact of record-breaking UK sponsor licence revocations and the steps hospitality businesses can take to manage compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

Folha de São Paulo: Taxa de US$ 100 mil para visto dos EUA muda planosde brasileiros; veja opções

Partner Bo Cooper explores the impact of H-1B visa changes on companies and their talent strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Lawyers Try to Make Sense of Trump’s Confusing H-1B Fee Hike

Partner Bo Cooper explains that while new H-1B fees affect future petitions, US opportunities for international talent remain highly valued.

Learn more

Media mentions

Kommunal topinform: Staatsdienst am Limit

Fragomen explores in an article how international recruitment can help solve Germany’s public sector staffing crisis and support the future of essential services.

Learn more

Blog post

UAE Golden Visa: Work Permit Requirements for Employers and Professionals

Assistant Manager Charo Medida explains the work permit requirements for employers and professionals under the UAE Golden Visa programme.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: Trump's $100,000 Visa Fee Threatens Wall Street's Pipeline of Junior Bankers and Tech Talent

Partner Bo Cooper explains how proposed H-1B fee and lottery changes impact hiring of skilled international talent across sectors.

Learn more

Media mentions

Asharq Al Awsat: السعودية تمضي مع «رؤية 2030» بدعم التصنيع والتوطين وتوسع الاقتصاد

Partner Haider Hussain underlines the role of talent mobility in shaping future growth sectors in the Kingdom.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Spotlighted in Financial Times for 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards

Fragomen is recognised by the Financial Times for its innovative work in workforce mobility and cross-sector collaboration.

Learn more

Media mentions

Investopedia: ICE Crackdowns Are Changing Workplaces: 37% of Americans Report Feeling Less Safe at Work

Partner Daniel Brown outlines steps companies can take to support employees and maintain smooth operations during compliance-related situations.

Learn more

Video

How to Get Your French Work Visa After Graduation: Job Seeker / Company Creation Permit

Learn how international graduates can stay in France for one year to find work or start a business. Discover eligibility requirements, application steps and transition options for the Job Seeker/New Business Creator permit. 

Learn more

Awards

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp Named 2025 National Law Journal Awards Finalist for "DC Managing Partner of the Year"

Partner Priscilla Muhlenkamp is a finalist for the 2025 National Law Journal Awards category, "DC Managing Partner of the Year."

Learn more

Media mentions

Post Bulletin: Trump’s New $100K Fee on Certain Work Visas Could Impact Rochester’s Medical Staff

Partner Bo Cooper highlights that new $100K H-1B fees could affect US employers, with possible exemptions for critical roles.

Learn more

Media mentions

The Caterer: Businesses Need to Be Ready for Government Crackdown on Sponsor Licences

Partner Louise Senior highlights the impact of record-breaking UK sponsor licence revocations and the steps hospitality businesses can take to manage compliance.

Learn more

Media mentions

Folha de São Paulo: Taxa de US$ 100 mil para visto dos EUA muda planosde brasileiros; veja opções

Partner Bo Cooper explores the impact of H-1B visa changes on companies and their talent strategies.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: Lawyers Try to Make Sense of Trump’s Confusing H-1B Fee Hike

Partner Bo Cooper explains that while new H-1B fees affect future petitions, US opportunities for international talent remain highly valued.

Learn more

Media mentions

Kommunal topinform: Staatsdienst am Limit

Fragomen explores in an article how international recruitment can help solve Germany’s public sector staffing crisis and support the future of essential services.

Learn more

Blog post

UAE Golden Visa: Work Permit Requirements for Employers and Professionals

Assistant Manager Charo Medida explains the work permit requirements for employers and professionals under the UAE Golden Visa programme.

Learn more

Media mentions

Business Insider: Trump's $100,000 Visa Fee Threatens Wall Street's Pipeline of Junior Bankers and Tech Talent

Partner Bo Cooper explains how proposed H-1B fee and lottery changes impact hiring of skilled international talent across sectors.

Learn more

Media mentions

Asharq Al Awsat: السعودية تمضي مع «رؤية 2030» بدعم التصنيع والتوطين وتوسع الاقتصاد

Partner Haider Hussain underlines the role of talent mobility in shaping future growth sectors in the Kingdom.

Learn more

Fragomen news

Fragomen Spotlighted in Financial Times for 2025 Innovative Lawyers Europe Awards

Fragomen is recognised by the Financial Times for its innovative work in workforce mobility and cross-sector collaboration.

Learn more

Media mentions

Investopedia: ICE Crackdowns Are Changing Workplaces: 37% of Americans Report Feeling Less Safe at Work

Partner Daniel Brown outlines steps companies can take to support employees and maintain smooth operations during compliance-related situations.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.