Important Updates
Important Updates
October 29, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: K-Star Visa for Science and Tech Talent Implemented
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, United StatesGames Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, BelgiumPeople Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?
October 29, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Increased Saudization Requirements for Certain Private-Sector Healthcare Roles
October 29, 2025Saudi Arabia: Mandatory Health Insurance Prior to Temporary Work Visa Issuance
October 29, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: K-Star Visa for Science and Tech Talent Implemented
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, United StatesGames Industry: US H-1B Visas: Alternatives to a $100,000 Fee
October 29, 2025 | United Kingdom, BelgiumPeople Management: How Will EU Travel Rule Changes Impact Employers?
October 29, 2025 | Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: Increased Saudization Requirements for Certain Private-Sector Healthcare Roles
October 29, 2025Saudi Arabia: Mandatory Health Insurance Prior to Temporary Work Visa Issuance
October 29, 2025 | Republic of Korea (South Korea)South Korea: K-Star Visa for Science and Tech Talent Implemented
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Weekly Immigration Update: November 3–9, 2023

November 9, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • Israel/Palestinian Territories: Access our consolidated alert for updates. This alert will be updated on an ongoing basis – please check the alert frequently. Please also check our dedicated page for relevant information.
  • United States: If appropriations legislation or a stopgap spending bill is not passed by Congress by November 17, the federal government will enter a partial shutdown on November 18. Employers with urgent LCA and time-sensitive PERM application needs should file the applications soon.
  • Italy: Effective November 17, Italy will introduce new EU Blue Card requirements, establishing a more relaxed EU Blue Card framework.
  • Denmark: Effective November 17, eligible non-EU nationals will be able to work in Denmark without a work permit for two separate periods of 15 business days within a 180-day period. 
  • South Africa: The High Court dismissed a request from the Minister of Home Affairs for the issuance of an order to deport Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) holders who do not apply for a valid visa to work in South Africa by December 31, 2023. As a result, ZEPs are still valid until June 30, 2024. See our news brief for more details.
  • Worldwide/Ukraine: Danish residence permits for individuals displaced from Ukraine were recently extended until March 17, 2025. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Minimum salary updates: Bulgaria will increase its minimum salary in 2024. See our consolidated alert for details.

These items and other news from Australia, Germany, Malaysia, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Thailand follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Canada, November 9, 2023
Quebec Immigrant Investor Program to Reopen in January 2024 with Some Stricter Eligibility Requirements 

    • The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration will officially reopen Quebec’s Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP) on January 1, 2024, with changes to criteria and requirements.
    • Key changes include stricter French language requirements, residence requirements and financial contributions in Quebec, and a new Work Permit step.
    • On the other hand, the program will ease some measures such as eliminating quotas and relaxing the applicant selection process.
    • The QIIP program will offer foreign investors an additional pathway to permanent residence in Quebec.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, November 8, 2023
Holiday Travel Guidance for Foreign Nationals

    • If you are a foreign national planning to travel internationally this holiday season, make sure that you have all the necessary documents, including a passport with sufficient remaining validity, a valid U.S. visa in the appropriate classification, and advance permission to travel if necessary.
    • If you will need to apply for a visa while you are abroad, be prepared for possible delays in visa issuance.
    • On reentry to the United States, expect thorough screening at the port of entry.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Denmark, November 7, 2023
Short-term Work Permit Exemption for Intra-Company Transferees to Commence November 17

    • Effective November 17, 2023, eligible non-EU nationals will be able to work in Denmark without a work permit for two separate periods of 15 business days within a 180-day period. 
    • The two 15-day periods must be separated by a stay outside of Denmark of at least 14 days.
    • The foreign national must be working for a company that has an affiliated entity registered in Denmark.
    • The work permit exemption will not apply to employees in certain industries, unless the applicant is performing mid- to senior-level management duties.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, November 6, 2023
Preparing for a Possible November 17 Federal Shutdown

    • If appropriations legislation or a stopgap spending bill is not passed by Congress by November 17, 2023, the federal government will enter a partial shutdown on November 18.
    • A shutdown would mean that Department of Labor immigration functions such as LCA, prevailing wage, and PERM processing would be suspended until Congress passes a further stopgap spending measure or a FY 2024 budget.
    • Fee-based immigration processing – including USCIS benefit and State Department visa and passport processing – will continue, though with potential delays. However, the USCIS E-Verify and the Conrad 30 programs would expire if Congress fails to extend them.
    • Employers with urgent LCA needs should file soon to ensure that cases can be certified in advance of November 17. Time-sensitive PERM applications should be filed by the same date.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Australia, November 9, 2023
Government Applying Stricter Policy Interpretation to Labor Market Test

Australia, November 7, 2023
Further Details Released on Forthcoming Changes to Temporary Skill Shortage and Employer Nomination Scheme

Germany, November 8, 2023
New Digitized Process for Obtaining Identification Cards, Passports, Residence and Work Permits

Malaysia, November 7, 2023
Additional Details on i-KAD Issuance Released

Oman, November 8, 2023
In-Country Conversion of Visitor to Employment Visa No Longer Possible

Qatar, November 6, 2023
Evidence of School Registration Now Required for Certain Children’s Family Dependent Residence Permit Renewals

Saudi Arabia, November 8, 2023
Additional Law Enforcement Clearance Now Required for Saudi Work Visa Applications in United States; Forthcoming Requirement in Pakistan

Thailand, November 9, 2023
Changes to Documentary Requirements for Long-Term Visa Extension/Renewal at Certain Government Offices

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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Learn more

Media mentions

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Partner Jo Antoons and Manager Andreia Ghimis explain how businesses can navigate Europe’s new ETIAS pre-travel authorisation and avoid disruptions.

Learn more

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Learn more

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