Important Updates
Important Updates
January 15, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Minimum Salary Requirements for Employment Pass To Be Increased
January 16, 2026 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: Longer Processing Times and Increased Security of D-8 and D-9 Visa Applications
January 16, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Hong Kong SAR Chinese and Taiwan Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot to Open February 10, 2026
January 15, 2026 | GuyanaGuyana: Approval Validity Reduced, Work Authorization Timelines Tightened
January 15, 2026 | KuwaitKuwait: New Immigration Rules Increase Residency and Visa Stay Periods, Clarify Visit Visa Conversion, Relax Passport Requirements, Increase Fees
January 15, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Minimum Salary Requirements for Employment Pass To Be Increased
January 16, 2026 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: Longer Processing Times and Increased Security of D-8 and D-9 Visa Applications
January 16, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Hong Kong SAR Chinese and Taiwan Youth Mobility Scheme Ballot to Open February 10, 2026
January 15, 2026 | GuyanaGuyana: Approval Validity Reduced, Work Authorization Timelines Tightened
January 15, 2026 | KuwaitKuwait: New Immigration Rules Increase Residency and Visa Stay Periods, Clarify Visit Visa Conversion, Relax Passport Requirements, Increase Fees
January 15, 2026 | MalaysiaMalaysia: Minimum Salary Requirements for Employment Pass To Be Increased
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Weekly Immigration Update: May 5, 2023- May 11, 2023

May 11, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • Switzerland has ended the relaxed visa policies that had been implemented for those affected by the earthquake in Türkiye. Germany has extended the exemption for eligible individuals to obtain a residence permit. See the consolidated alert for more information.
  • In Luxembourg, the government has confirmed that the deadline is June 30, 2023 for UK nationals who still hold a Luxembourg residence certificate as an EU national to submit their Article 50 residence card renewal applications. See the consolidated alert for more information.
  • Worldwide/Russia: In Lithuania, the government has suspended the acceptance of temporary residence permit applications for Russian citizens. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • In Sweden, the government published a memorandum proposing an increase of minimum salary requirements for work permit applicants. For more information, see our consolidated alert.
  • Mexico: The government is expected to lift the COVID-19 health emergency soon. Once this occurs, COVID-19-related concessions will end, and foreign nationals should be prepared to comply with immigration-related deadlines. See our COVID website for more information.

These items and other news from Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, Guyana, the Middle East, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

United States, May 5, 2023
ICE Gives Employers Until August 30 for In-Person Form I-9 Verification After COVID Flexibilities Expire

  • Employers will have a 30-day period – until August 30, 2023 – to comply with physical Form I-9 document inspection requirements after the temporary COVID I-9 flexibilities expire on July 31, according to an ICE announcement.
  • Employers that have been relying on the temporary policy to perform remote I-9 inspections should ensure that all physical inspection of Form I-9 documents is completed by August 30, or earlier, if required under the policy.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

United States, May 5, 2023
State Department Releases FY 2024 Diversity Visa Lottery Winners Tomorrow

  • Starting at noon ET on May 6, 2023, lottery entrants must check the State Department’s official Diversity Visa Lottery website to learn whether they have been chosen to apply for a diversity visa. Entrants may experience delays accessing the official website due to heavy user traffic.
  • The State Department does not send direct notification to lottery winners.
  • Selected entrants can submit an application for permanent residence during FY 2024, which begins on October 1, 2023.

To view the entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Australia, May 11, 2023
Expanded Pathway to Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residency and Increase in Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold Forthcoming

Canada, May 11, 2023
Extension of Agri-Food Pilot Program Announced

Costa Rica, May 5, 2023
Biometric Appointment Delays Impacting Initial Visa and Residence Applications

Guyana, May 9, 2023
New Requirements for Visa on Arrival Applicants Implemented

Guyana, May 10, 2023
Further Restrictions on Issuance of Permission to Land Permits

Middle East, May 5, 2023
Update on Diplomatic Relations

Peru, May 4, 2023
Technical Issues with Online Visa Application System Causing Delays and May Result in Travel

Russia, May 11, 2023
New Visa Waiver for Georgian Nationals

Saudi Arabia, May 11, 2023
Increased Immigration and Labor Inspections

United Arab Emirates, May 8, 2023
Further Update on the Unemployment Insurance Scheme

United Arab Emirates, May 10, 2023
Stricter Fines for Circumventing the Emiratization Requirements Introduced

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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