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September 30, 2025 | New ZealandNew Zealand: Major Changes Announced for Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
October 2, 2025 | NamibiaNamibia: New Online Visa-on-Arrival Launched
October 2, 2025Somalia: Electronic Travel Authorization Launched
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal Government Enters a Shutdown, Though Most Immigration Functions Remain in Operation
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Senators Grassley and Durbin Introduce H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act
September 30, 2025 | New ZealandNew Zealand: Major Changes Announced for Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
October 2, 2025 | NamibiaNamibia: New Online Visa-on-Arrival Launched
October 2, 2025Somalia: Electronic Travel Authorization Launched
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Federal Government Enters a Shutdown, Though Most Immigration Functions Remain in Operation
October 1, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Senators Grassley and Durbin Introduce H-1B and L-1 Visa Reform Act
September 30, 2025 | New ZealandNew Zealand: Major Changes Announced for Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa
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Weekly Immigration Update: September 15–21, 2023

September 21, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • India/Canada: Indian consular posts in Canada have temporarily suspended the acceptance, processing and issuance of Indian visas (including e-visas) until further notice, effective immediately.
  • United States: A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed rule that would amend several aspects of the H-1B program is under federal review and scheduled for publication in December. Next month, India Final Action dates will advance significantly for most employment-based categories, while China will advance modestly. USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s October 2023 Visa Bulletin.
  • United Kingdom: Increases to immigration and nationality fees are set to take effect on October 4.
  • Ireland: Bolivian nationals who can show that they booked and paid for a trip to Ireland before September 12, 2023 and whose scheduled arrival in Ireland is on or before October 12, 2023 may still be eligible for a visa exemption that expired on September 12, 2023. These Bolivian nationals should follow the instructions on the Department of Justice website.
  • Minimum salary updates: Luxembourg has updated its minimum salary guidance; Sweden has clarified its work permit minimum salary; and Germany will decrease the annual gross salary for EU Blue Card holders in November 2023. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • European Union/Ukraine: The Netherlands has extended the right of non-Ukrainian temporary protection status holders to stay beyond September 4, 2023, pending a court ruling on the issue. Ireland has started issuing Irish Residence Permits to Temporary Protected Status holders in a phased plan. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Mexico: The COVID-19-related concessions have ended. The National Immigration Institute did not implement a grace period. See our news brief for details.

These items and other news from Belarus, Canada, Mainland China, Czech Republic, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, the Philippines, Poland, Russia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Vietnam follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

India/Canada, September 21, 2023
Indian Visa Services Temporarily Suspended in Canada

  • Indian consular posts in Canada have temporarily suspended the acceptance, processing and issuance of Indian visas (including e-visas) until further notice, effective immediately. It is unclear when the temporary suspension will be lifted.
  • All Canadian and foreign nationals intending to travel to India from Canada will not be able to apply for Indian visas until further notice.
  • Canadian citizens and foreign nationals intending to travel to India from Canada, who have valid Indian visas, may continue to travel to India.
  • Affected individuals should contact their immigration provider and Nomadic for case-by-case information.

To view entire article, click here. 

 

United States, September 20, 2023
Proposed Regulation Amending Aspects of the H-1B Program Under Federal Review

  • A U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services proposed rule that would amend several aspects of the H-1B program has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for review.
  • The rule is expected to amend the definition of the employer-employee relationship, establish site visit requirements and guidelines, address F-1 cap-gap issues, clarify H-1B amendment requirements, and increase anti-fraud safeguards in the H-1B cap registration system.
  • The proposal is slated for publication in the Federal Register in December 2023.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 15, 2023
October Visa Bulletin: As New Fiscal Year Begins, India Final Action Dates Will Advance Significantly for Most Employment-Based Categories While China Advances More Modestly; USCIS to Honor Dates for Filing in October

  • In October, the EB-1 Final Action Date will advance by five years for India, to January 1, 2017, and by just two weeks for China, to February 15, 2022, while the EB-1 category for all other countries will become current again.
  • The EB-2 Final Action Date for India will advance by one year, to January 1, 2012, for China by almost three months, to October 1, 2019, and for all other countries by one week, to July 8, 2022.
  • The EB-3 Professional/Skilled Worker Final Action Date will advance by more than three years for India, to May 1, 2012, by four months for China, to January 1, 2020, and by nineteen months for all other countries.
  • EB-5 Unreserved Final Action Dates will advance by twenty months for India and by three weeks for China.
  • In October, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Dates for Filing listed in the State Department’s October 2023 Visa Bulletin.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Russia, September 15, 2023
New Law to Improve Citizenship Application Routes and Processes

A new law which makes several changes to citizenship requirements will go into effect on October 26, 2023. Key changes include:

  • Relaxed procedures for reporting foreign citizenship or permanent residence;
  • Relaxed residency requirements for citizenship applications;
  • Changes to citizenship routes and the termination of Russian citizenship; and
  • Shorter processing times for citizenship applications.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Kingdom, September 15, 2023
Visa Fee Increase to Come into Effect October 4, 2023

  • Increases to immigration and nationality fees are set come into effect on October 4, 2023.
  • Most fees will rise between 15-20%.
  • The cost of a typical worker visa submitted from outside the United Kingdom will increase from GBP 719 to GBP 827.
  • Where possible, sponsoring employers should try to submit affected visa applications prior to October 4, 2023 to benefit from the lower fees.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Belarus, September 19, 2023
Power of Attorney-Related Changes

Canada, September 20, 2023
Invitations to Apply Under Express Entry for Transport Occupations Issued

Mainland China, September 20, 2023
New Foreign Permanent Resident Identity Card Forthcoming

Mainland China, September 20, 2023
Expanded Online Services for Visa Applications Forthcoming

Mainland China, September 21, 2023
Optimized Visa Application Forms Introduced

Czech Republic, September 21, 2023
Foreign Nationals Can Now Source Travel, Health Insurance from Multiple Providers

Italy, September 21, 2023
Domestic Implementation of Blue Card Directive Likely Imminent

Kazakhstan, September 20, 2023
Foreign Worker Quota Application Deadline of September 30, 2023 Nears

Kuwait, September 21, 2023
Foreign Nationals Must Now Settle All Government Debts to Renew Residency Permit

Philippines, September 19, 2023
Updated PEZA Visa Documentation Requirements

Poland, September 15, 2023  
Visa Outsourcing Contract Terminated; Delays Ahead

United Arab Emirates, September 15, 2023
End-of-Service Savings Initiative Forthcoming for Private Sector Employees

United States, September 15, 2023
August 2023 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times

Vietnam, September 20, 2023
Amendment to Labour Decree 152 Released

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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