Weekly Immigration Update: October 28–November 3, 2022
November 3, 2022
In immigration news this week:
- Worldwide: As we enter the endemic phase of the COVID-19 era, travel restrictions and health requirements are waning based on growing vaccination initiatives. We are tracking related updates on our COVID-19 website.
- United States: Fiscal Year 2024 Diversity Visa lottery entrants have until November 8 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.
- Canada: The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced the 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan which aims to increase immigration targets in order to fill critical labor market shortages.
- Indonesia: A new multiple-entry tourist visa called the ‘second home visa’ for high-net worth foreign nationals will be available starting December 25, 2022.
- Poland has restricted new Special Permission applications for Russian citizens – see our consolidated alert for details. Poland has also amended its immigration rules for those fleeing the war in Ukraine – see our consolidated alert for details.
- Sweden revised its minimum salary requirements, as detailed in our consolidated alert.
These items and other news from Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Latvia, Mexico, Mozambique, Qatar, Spain, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
United States, November 2, 2022
Reminder: FY 2024 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Ends November 8
- Entrants have until Tuesday, November 8, 2022 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.
Canada, November 1, 2022
Immigration Levels Plan Announced, Emphasizing Filling Labor Market Shortages
The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship announced the 2023 to 2025 Immigration Levels Plan which aims to increase immigration targets in order to fill critical labor market shortages. Specific details of the plan include:
- Increasing overall immigration admissions over the next three years;
- Attracting French-speaking individuals and those with targeted skills;
- Raising family reunification targets; and
- Increasing the number of asylees and refugees welcomed in the country
To view entire article, click here.
Indonesia, October 31, 2022
New Long-Term Tourist Visa for Investors and Others
- Starting December 25, 2022, the Indonesian government will implement a new multiple-entry tourist visa valid for up to five or 10 years, called the ‘second home visa’.
- Foreign nationals who have at least IDR 2 billion or its equivalent in their bank accounts will be eligible to apply online for the new ‘second home visa’.
- ‘Second home visa’ holders will be granted with either a five- or 10-year validity, which includes multiple-entries, as opposed to the regular single-entry tourist visas granted to foreign nationals upon entry.
- Under the visa, foreign nationals must limit their activities to tourism and must not conduct hands-on or profit generating work in Indonesia.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Armenia, November 1, 2022
New Citizenship-by-Investment Program Forthcoming
Australia, November 3, 2022
New Skilled Visa Processing Priorities Released
Bahrain, October 31, 2022
Flexible Work Permit Program Discontinued
Latvia, October 3, 2022
New Digital Services Launched
Mexico, October 31, 2022
Federal INM Offices Announce Unanticipated Holiday Closures on November 1-2
Mexico, November 3, 2022
New Online System to Obtain Federal Police Records
Mozambique, November 1, 2022
Changes in Entry, Stay and Exit Law for Foreign Nationals Forthcoming
Qatar, October 28, 2022
Qatar Financial Centre Suspends Select Visa Categories
Spain, October 28, 2022
Simplified Procedures for Foreign Degree Recognition Forthcoming
Switzerland, October 28, 2022
Some Long-Term Residents Now Require Proof of Language
United Kingdom, October 31, 2022
Offshore and Wind Project Workers’ Concession Extended
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
