Weekly Immigration Update: October 27–November 2, 2023

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.