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Weekly Immigration Update: September 1–7, 2023

September 7, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • United States: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from November 4, 2023 through May 3, 2025. DHS is also extending the relaxation of certain employment authorization rules for South Sudanese students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the crisis in South Sudan.
  • Luxembourg: Effective September 1, Luxembourg has relaxed work and residence rights for certain types of foreign nationals, and sped up processing times for several types of work certificates.
  • Brazil: Starting October 2, two immigration pathways will be available for eligible citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to live and work in Brazil for up to two years.
  • Sweden: The Swedish government has published a report on its plans to implement new International Recruitment Units to improve the work permit application process.
  • Minimum salary updates: Pakistan and Sweden have updated their minimum salary guidance. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Africa: Borders and government offices in Niger and Gabon have reopened. Kenya’s eCitizen portal is now operational, following an outage.
  • Belarus/Russia: The enforcement date for a mutual visa recognition program between Belarus and Russia has been delayed until early 2024.

These items and other news from the Bahamas, Germany, Indonesia, Israel, Qatar, and Rwanda follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Sweden, September 7, 2023
Report Published on How New International Recruitment Units Will Improve Work Permit Process

The Swedish government has published a report on its plans to implement new International Recruitment Units to improve the work permit application process. Key topics covered in the report include:

  • a new tiered application category system based on the applicant’s profession and educational background, instead of the current Fast Track scheme; and 
  • elimination of the Fast Track scheme due to its inefficiency.

The policies are likely to enter into force by the end of 2023 or early 2024.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Brazil, September 7, 2023
Immigration Pathways for Citizens of Portuguese-Speaking Countries Forthcoming

  • Brazil has introduced two immigration pathways for eligible citizens of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) to live and work in Brazil for up to two years.
  • The first pathway is a consular-issued Temporary Visa available to foreign nationals of certain professions or who will conduct certain activities in Brazil. The second is an in-country Residence Authorization available to any national of CPLP countries who is in Brazil.
  • Both immigration pathways will open on October 2, 2023.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Luxembourg, September 6, 2023
Relaxed Work and Residence Rights for Certain Foreign Nationals, Application Processing Times Reduced

Effective September 1, 2023, Luxembourg has relaxed work and residence rights for certain types of foreign nationals and sped up work certificate processing. Key changes include:

  • Allowing dependents of foreign national residents to work without arranging a separate work permit (as was previously required);
  • Reducing processing times for shortage and non-shortage work certificate applications; and
  • Increasing the validity period of Job Search/Business Creation residence permits to 12 months (up from nine months).

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 6, 2023
DHS Extends and Redesignates South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status; Extends Relaxed Employment Options for South Sudanese F-1 Students

  • The Department of Homeland Security has extended and redesignated South Sudan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from November 4, 2023 through May 3, 2025. 
  • The initial registration period for new TPS applicants will run from September 6, 2023 through May 3, 2025. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
  • Current South Sudanese TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register by November 6, 2023. Those with expiring TPS EADs will receive an automatic EAD extension, through November 3, 2024.
  • DHS is also extending the relaxation of certain employment authorization rules for South Sudanese students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the crisis in South Sudan.

To view entire article, click here. 

Other weekly news briefs

Bahamas, September 6, 2023
Work Permit Expedited Processing and Higher Government Fees

Germany, September 1, 2023
Significant Liberalization of Citizenship Law Proposed

Indonesia, September 7, 2023
Golden Visa Program Introduced

Israel, September 5, 2023
Upcoming Immigration Office Holiday Closures

Qatar, September 5, 2023
Forthcoming Expansion of Hayya Card to Expo 2023 and AFC Asian Cup 2023 Visitors

Rwanda, September 6, 2023
Update to Visa Waiver Program

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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Important Updates
Important Updates
October 1, 2026 | JapanJapan: Stricter Permanent Residence Requirements
October 2, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Draft Code on Expanded Right to Work Scheme Clarifies Employer Obligations
October 2, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Expanded RTW Scheme in Effect; Further Employer Guidance Published
October 2, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: September 2026 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
October 2, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: U.S. Consular Services in Brazil Suspended
October 1, 2026 | JapanJapan: Stricter Permanent Residence Requirements
October 2, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Draft Code on Expanded Right to Work Scheme Clarifies Employer Obligations
October 2, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Expanded RTW Scheme in Effect; Further Employer Guidance Published
October 2, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: September 2026 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
October 2, 2026 | United StatesUnited States: U.S. Consular Services in Brazil Suspended
October 1, 2026 | JapanJapan: Stricter Permanent Residence Requirements
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