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: October 27–November 2, 2023

November 2, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • Israel/Palestinian Territories: The expiration date for all visas – excluding B-1 work visas – set to expire before February 8, 2024, will now automatically be extended to at least February 8, 2024. Certain domestic caregiving and agriculture sector worker permits have also been automatically extended for various periods. Additionally, the Rafah border crossing in Egypt has been opened in a limited capacity. Access our consolidated alert for further updates. As this alert will be updated on an ongoing basis, please check the alert frequently. Also check our dedicated page for relevant information.
  • United States: President Biden has issued a comprehensive Executive Order on artificial intelligence (AI), instructing federal agencies to consider and, in some cases, develop new ways to attract and retain foreign workers in the AI field. Fiscal year 2025 diversity visa lottery entrants have until November 7 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.
  • Canada: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the 2024–2026 Immigration Levels Plan which aims to stabilize immigration targets to support sustainable growth. IRCC has also announced enhancements to the International Student Program, aimed at strengthening the integrity of this immigration pathway.
  • Peru: The high volume of regularization applications submitted by Venezuelan nationals currently in Peru has resulted in biometric appointment delays for other foreign nationals applying for in-country initial visas, including Appointed Worker, Resident Worker, and Mercosur Visas.
  • Worldwide/Ukraine: Belgium has clarified the scope of protection afforded to Ukrainian family members and dependents under its temporary protection regime. Switzerland has extended its ‘S’ status for Ukrainian nationals. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Minimum salary update: Belarus increased its minimum salary amounts to sponsor dependents. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • European Union/Schengen Area: Italy and Slovenia have extended internal checks at their borders during November 2023. See our consolidated alert for details.

These items and other news from Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Canada, November 2, 2023
Quebec’s 2024 Immigration Plan Published, with Increased Immigration Targets but Stricter French-Language Requirements 

  • The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration has published Quebec’s 2024 Immigration Plan.
  • The plan aims to strike a balance between selecting immigrants who are proficient in French, encouraging younger applicants to move to Quebec to counter the effect of an aging population, promoting the integration of migrants, and encouraging economic development in the province.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

Canada, November 2, 2023
2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan Announced, Emphasizing Sustainable Growth

The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has announced the 2024 to 2026 Immigration Levels Plan which aims to stabilize immigration targets to support sustainable growth. Specific details on the plan include:

  • Maintaining overall immigration admissions over the next three years, with a special focus on economic immigrant categories;
  • Attracting more French-speaking individuals; and
  • Upholding Canada’s humanitarian support efforts for asylees and refugees.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, November 2, 2023
Reminder: FY 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Ends November 7

  • Entrants have until Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.
  • Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, October 31, 2023
New Executive Order on Artificial Intelligence Asks Federal Agencies for Initiatives to Attract and Retain Foreign AI Talent

  • President Biden has issued a wide-ranging Executive Order to establish guidelines for artificial intelligence (AI) security, innovation, and advancement – including several immigration provisions related to the attraction and retention of foreign talent in AI.
  • The order directs the State Department to streamline visa appointment processing times and availability for foreign nationals who seek to work on, study, or conduct research in AI or in other critical and emerging technologies.
  • The order also instructs the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security to undertake reviews of programs and processes that affect foreign AI talent, with a goal towards easing and prioritizing their immigration processes.
  • In most instances, agencies are not required to make substantive changes to existing immigration policies and procedures, so any implementation of the order’s immigration provisions is likely to depend on agency resources and initiative.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Netherlands, October 31, 2023
Preferential Tax Rule for Highly Skilled Workers Likely to be Restricted from January 1, 2024

  • The Dutch lower house of parliament has approved legislation which – from January 1, 2024 – would restrict the ‘30 percent’ preferential tax treatment provided to eligible highly skilled foreign workers.
  • Currently, under this rule, eligible foreign nationals do not need to pay tax on up to 30 percent of their income for five years, but the applicable timeframes and percentages will be reduced over time.
  • Individuals who currently receive the ‘30 percent’ preferential tax treatment will be subject to a transitional arrangement – the details of which remain to be confirmed.
  • The legislation must still be approved by the Dutch upper house of parliament, with a vote on the issue expected in December 2023.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

Peru, October 30, 2023
Biometric Appointment Delays Impacting In-Country Initial Visa Applications

  • The high volume of regularization applications submitted by Venezuelan nationals currently in Peru has resulted in biometric appointment delays for other foreign nationals applying for in-country initial visas including Appointed Worker, Resident Worker, and Mercosur Visas.
  • Foreign nationals applying for initial visas from within Peru, and their employers, should account for delays in work start dates for the next few months, as all in-country initial visa options involve submitting biometrics.
  • Furthermore, foreign nationals who file their in-country initial visa application but cannot schedule a biometrics appointment will face travel restrictions, since Exit Permits (which are issued to foreign nationals with pending immigration applications to travel) are only issued after a biometrics appointment is scheduled.

To view the entire article, click here.

 

United States, October 30, 2023
Reminder: Starting November 1, New Edition of Form I-9 Becomes Mandatory

  • The new edition of Form I-9, dated August 1, 2023, will become mandatory for all employers on November 1, 2023.
  • Through October 31, 2023, employers may continue to use the previous edition, dated October 21, 2019.
  • The new form does not contain any substantive changes from the October 21, 2019 version. However, there are changes to how the form is organized, and the new form recognizes the recent DHS rule that authorizes certain E-Verify employers to use an alternative process to review Form I-9 documents remotely in some circumstances.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Canada, October 27, 2023
Enhancements to the International Student Program Announced

  • Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced enhancements to the International Student Program, aimed at strengthening the integrity of this immigration pathway by preventing fraud and protecting students.
  • These include a stricter verification process for Letters of Acceptance submitted in support of study permit applications and a forthcoming Recognized Institutions Framework for eligible Canadian colleges and universities.
  • IRCC also announced plans to review and reform the Post-Graduation Work Permit program in the coming months.

To view the entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Australia, November 2, 2023
Employer-Sponsored Permanent Residency Reforms Implementation Date, Migration Strategy Plans Announced

Canada, October 27, 2023
Temporary Foreign Worker Program Improvements Extended with Key Changes Including Shorter Validity of LMIAs

Hong Kong SAR, October 30. 2023
Part-time Work Rule for Foreign Post-Graduates Expanded

Kazakhstan/Mainland China, October 30, 2023
Reciprocal Tourism and Business Visa Waiver Agreement Forthcoming

Malaysia, November 2, 2023
MDEC and ESD Reinstate i-KAD card Issuance

Mexico, November 1, 2023
Many INM Offices Announce Unanticipated Holiday Closure on November 3

Panama, October 27, 2023
Protests May Cause Immigration Processing Delays

Senegal, November 2, 2023
New Police Clearance Certificate Requirement for Pre-Approved Business Visa Applications

Sri Lanka, October 31, 2023
Visa-Free Entry Program for Tourists Expanded

Thailand, November 2, 2023
Duration of Tourist Visa for Russian Nationals Extended

United Arab Emirates, October 27, 2023
Fast-tracked Vehicle Border Crossing System Established

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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