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
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Weekly Immigration Update: November 22–30, 2023

November 30, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • Sweden: The Swedish Migration Agency has announced that the Fast Track company registration program will close on December 15, 2023. Also, the original November 18, 2023 deadline for domestic implementation of the new EU Blue Card Directive has been delayed. No new date for implementation has yet been confirmed. See our news brief for details.
  • Vietnam: Employers sponsoring foreign nationals working in Vietnam must file the second of the required semi-annual reports by January 5, 2024. 
  • Luxembourg: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Immigration Department has ceased issuing all immigration-related documentation amid a reorganization of immigration responsibilities within the government. It is currently unclear when the Department will begin issuing documentation again.
  • Canada: Government authorities have clarified certain details of the new wage review policy under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) that will take effect on January 1, 2024. Additionally, the new permanent residence humanitarian pathway for Colombians, Haitians and Venezuelans announced in October has officially opened. See our news brief for details.
  • Minimum salary updates: Portugal has amended the minimum salaries for several immigration categories. The United Kingdom will increase its standard national minimum salary rates in April 2024 (while also lowering the applicable age bracket). Singapore has clarified the minimum salary level increases for the Employment Pass and S Pass. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Finland: Further Russian border crossing closures went into effect on November 24. The last open border with Russia is temporarily closed until December 13. See our alert for details.
  • European Union/Schengen Area: Poland has extended internal border checks into December 2023, while the Czech Republic’s internal border checks have been extended into January 2024. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Costa Rica: The General Immigration Directorate’s electronic platform is operating, but certain foreign nationals must re-file their immigration applications. See our news brief for details.
  • Worldwide/Ukraine: Belgium, the Czech Republic, and Germany have extended temporary protection status until March 2025. See our consolidated alert for details.

These items and other news from Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Costa Rica, Ghana, Greece, Guyana, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Vietnam follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Luxembourg, November 30, 2023
Authorities Pause Issuance of Immigration Documents Pending Department Overhaul

  • The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Immigration Department has ceased issuing all immigration-related documentation amid a reorganization of immigration responsibilities within the government following the October 2023 parliamentary elections. It is currently unclear when the Department will restart issuing documentation.
  • All foreign workers currently in Luxembourg who are awaiting either initial or extended work permits will not lose their legal migration status if their immigration documentation expires during this time. However, any travel plans should be reconsidered as such foreign nationals would not be able to return to Luxembourg under expired documentation.
  • Affected individuals and employers may need to postpone work start dates.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Canada, November 29, 2023
Certain Details of Upcoming Wage Review Requirements Under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program Clarified 

  • Effective January 1, 2024, employers of foreign nationals employed in Canada under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will be required to annually review their foreign worker employees’ wages to ensure that they reflect increases to prevailing wage rates suitable for the occupation and the region.
  • Government authorities have clarified the method and process for the annual wage review, which will include a wage review at the beginning of a foreign worker’s period of employment and subsequent reviews by January 1 of each year of employment.
  • Employers should review and revise their internal processes to make sure that they comply with new wage review requirements.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Vietnam, November 29, 2023
Deadline for Semi-Annual Report on Foreign Nationals Forthcoming

  • Employers sponsoring foreign nationals working in Vietnam must file the second of the required semi-annual reports by January 5, 2024.
  • Foreign nationals working in Vietnam from December 15, 2022 to December 14, 2023 must be included in the January 2024 report.
  • Failure to file the report may result in administrative fines for employers and possible delays in subsequent foreign labor demand or work permit applications.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Sweden, November 24, 2023
Fast Track Company Registration Program to Close

  • The Swedish Migration Agency has announced that the Fast Track company registration program (under which registered companies benefit from expedited and streamlined processing) will close on December 15, 2023.
  • The program will be replaced by a new work permit processing system starting on January 29, 2024.
  • Employers and foreign nationals should anticipate processing delays for Fast Track (and potentially other) work permit and renewal applications lodged between December 15, 2023, and January 28, 2024, which may result in delays in work start dates in Sweden.
  • Where possible, sponsoring employers should try to submit Fast Track work permit applications as soon as possible and prior to December 15, 2023, to benefit from Fast Track processing.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Canada/United States, November 22, 2023
UPDATE: Rainbow Bridge Remains Closed but Other Niagara-Area Ports of Entry Are Operational

  • After an explosion earlier today, the Rainbow Bridge crossing at the U.S.-Canada border remains closed, but the Peace Bridge and Lewiston/Queenston crossings have reopened.
  • Buffalo International Airport is fully operational despite earlier news reports of suspended international flights, though additional security measures remain in place.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Australia, November 29, 2023
New Flexibilities Introduced for Partner Visas and Temporary Graduate Visas

Canada, November 30, 2023
Increased Regularization and Inadmissibility Filing Fees

Mainland China, November 24, 2023
Visa Validity Periods for Macau and Hong Kong SAR Residents Expanded

Mainland China, November 24, 2023
Visa-Free Entry Announced for Nationals of Five European Countries and Malaysia

Costa Rica, November 27, 2023
New Resolution Changes Processing Times and Renewal Restrictions for Passports

Ghana, November 28, 2023
Relaxation of Pre-Approval Travel Requirements for Certain Foreign Nationals

Greece, November 24, 2023
In-country Digital Nomad Visa Applications to Cease in 2024

Guyana, November 28, 2023
Work Permit Processing Time Reduced; New Application Requirements for Dependents and Added Restrictions for Renewal

Portugal, November 30, 2023
Automatic Extension of Certain Immigration Documents Until June 30, 2024

Qatar, November 28, 2023
Update to the Digital Employment Contracts Service

Saudi Arabia, November 23, 2023
Process Changes for Non-Employment Visa Applications in the United Kingdom

Switzerland, November 29, 2023
Non-EU/EEA Work Permit Work Permit Quotas for 2024 Unchanged

United Arab Emirates, November 27, 2023
Visa-Free Entry for Nationals of Bosnia and Herzegovina Forthcoming

United States, November 27, 2023
October 2023 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times

Vietnam, November 28, 2023
Company Registration Website Now Available for New Labor Market Testing Requirements

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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