Weekly Immigration Update: November 3–9, 2023

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.