Weekly Immigration Update: September 15–21, 2023

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.