Important Updates
Important Updates
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Supreme Court Again Permits DHS to Terminate 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela While Litigation Continues
October 3, 2025 | ArgentinaArgentina: Provisional Certificate Policy Change Extends In-Country Work Authorization Timelines
October 3, 2025 | KazakhstanKazakhstan: New Work Permit Process Rules, Including Labor Market Test and New Online Portal
October 3, 2025 | United StatesThe American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Lawsuit Filed Challenging New H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Supreme Court Again Permits DHS to Terminate 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela While Litigation Continues
October 3, 2025 | ArgentinaArgentina: Provisional Certificate Policy Change Extends In-Country Work Authorization Timelines
October 3, 2025 | KazakhstanKazakhstan: New Work Permit Process Rules, Including Labor Market Test and New Online Portal
October 3, 2025 | United StatesThe American Lawyer: Proposed H-1B Changes Make Foreign Lawyers More Expensive, but Also More Accessible
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Lawsuit Filed Challenging New H-1B Restrictions and $100,000 Fee
October 3, 2025 | United StatesUnited States: Supreme Court Again Permits DHS to Terminate 2023 TPS Designation for Venezuela While Litigation Continues
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Weekly Immigration Update: September 22–28, 2023

September 28, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • United States: Effective immediately, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is increasing the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) in several work authorization categories to five years, including adjustment of status EADs. Starting October 1, USCIS is eliminating the $85 biometrics fee and in most cases, routine biometrics collection, for Form I-539 applicants. Fiscal Year 2025 Diversity Visa lottery registration opens October 4 at noon EDT. Starting November 30, Israeli nationals will be able to apply for travel to the United States as B-1/B-2 visitors under the Visa Waiver Program.
  • Vietnam: The government has introduced its amendment to Decree 152, impacting various aspects of Work Permit applications and requirements.
  • European Union: Press reports citing EU officials announced that ETIAS will be postponed until May 2025, with a possibility for further delays. See our news brief for details.
  • Europe/Ukraine: The European Commission has proposed extending the Ukraine Temporary Protection system to at least March 3, 2025. The European Council must now consider whether to adopt this extension. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Worldwide/Russia: Latvia has extended the deadline for Russian nationals to apply for EU long-term residence status and has established new residence permit pathways for Russian nationals. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • European Union/Ukraine: Finland recently ceased issuing temporary protection residence permits to foreign nationals or stateless persons who had resided in Ukraine on a temporary residence permit. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Minimum salary update: On October 1, Romania will update its minimum salary guidance. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • United Kingdom: Uruguay has been added to the list of countries that will participate in the United Kingdom’s Youth Mobility Scheme. See our related alert for details.
  • Germany: Regulations that will create and expand immigration pathways for skilled workers from non-EU countries – which were originally expected to enter into force by March 2024 – are now coming into effect in phases, across November 2023, March 2024, and June 2024. See our alert for details.

These items and other news from Canada, Egypt, Indonesia, Namibia, Qatar, Singapore, South Africa, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

United States, September 28, 2023
FY 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 4

  • Entrants have from Wednesday, October 4, 2023 at noon EDT until Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official Diversity Visa lottery website.
  • Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 27, 2023
USCIS Increases Maximum Validity Period to Five Years for Several Categories of EADs, Including Adjustment of Status EADs  

  • Effective immediately, USCIS is increasing the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) in several work authorization categories to five years, from a maximum of one or two years under its prior policy.
  • The new five-year maximum validity will apply to both initial and renewal EADs issued in connection with pending adjustment of status applications and in connection with certain humanitarian classifications or protection from removal.
  • The policy change will apply to Forms I-765 that are pending on or filed on or after September 27, 2023.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 27, 2023
Israeli Nationals Eligible for Visa Waiver Program Starting November 30

  • Starting November 30, 2023, Israeli nationals will be able to apply for travel to the United States as B-1/B-2 visitors under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). If deemed eligible, they will not need a visa from a U.S. consulate for their business visitor or tourist travel.
  • Business visitors under the VWP are permitted to engage in allowable B-1 business activities in the United States for no more than 90 days.
  • VWP applicants must submit their applications at least 72 hours in advance of travel using the online application system, Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 25, 2023
Starting October 1, USCIS Eliminates Biometrics Fee and Routine Biometrics Collection for I-539 Applicants

  • Form I-539 applications to change or extend nonimmigrant status that are postmarked on or after October 1, 2023 will not require a biometrics fee and in most cases, will not be scheduled for a biometrics appointment.
  • USCIS is following through with its previously stated commitment to remove biometrics collection as a standard requirement for the Form I-539 process.
  • In some cases, USCIS may still determine that biometrics are required, so applicants should attend any scheduled biometrics appointments.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 25, 2023
DHS Extends and Redesignates Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status; Extends Relaxed Employment Options for Afghan F-1 Students

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Afghanistan for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from November 21, 2023 to May 20, 2025.
  • The registration period for new TPS applicants will run from September 25, 2023 to May 20, 2025. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
  • Current Afghan TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register between September 25, 2023 and November 24, 2023. Those whose current EADs will expire before receiving a new one will receive an automatic extension through November 20, 2024.
  • DHS is also extending the relaxation of certain employment authorization rules for Afghan students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the current armed conflict and humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Vietnam, September 22, 2023
Amendment to Labour Decree 152 Affecting Foreign Nationals Issued

The Vietnamese government has introduced its amendment to Decree 152 (issued in the form of new Labour Decree No. 70) impacting various aspects of Work Permit applications and requirements. Key changes include:

  • An update to the degree and experience requirements for foreign experts and technicians, now placing greater emphasis on relevant experience rather than the degree's major.
  • From January 1, 2024, sponsoring entities will need to submit proof of a labor market test at least 15 days before seeking to hire a foreign national.
  • Department of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs and the Ministry of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs have been identified as the sole authorities for the approval, issuance, and management of foreign labor demands, work permits, and exemption certificates.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Canada, September 28, 2023
First Invitations to Apply Under Express Entry for Agriculture and Food Occupations Issued

Egypt, September 25, 2023
Immigration Fees Must Now Be Paid in U.S. Dollars

Namibia, September 27, 2023
Online Tourist Visa Introduced

Indonesia, September 25, 2023  
Expanded Activities for Multiple Entry Business Visa Holders

Singapore, September 27, 2023
Automated Immigration Clearance Forthcoming

South Africa, September 22, 2023
Zimbabwe Exemption Permit Update

Thailand, September 26, 2023
Visa-Free Tourism Scheme for Travelers from China and Kazakhstan Announced

United Arab Emirates, September 28, 2023
Visa Waiver for Armenian Nationals Entering United Arab Emirates

United Arab Emirates, September 25, 2023  
New Dubai Health Authority Training Initiative for Emirati Nationals Forthcoming

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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