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Important Updates
February 4, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Offshore Well Boat Workers Concession Extended
February 5, 2026 | QatarQatar: Long-Term Residence Permit for Executives and Entrepreneurs Announced
February 4, 2026 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Global Citizenship of Indonesia Program Announced
February 4, 2026 | Sri LankaSri Lanka: New Visa Options for Digital Nomads and Tourists Launched
February 4, 2026 | ThailandThailand: Mandatory Online Work Permit and Foreign Worker Registration System Forthcoming
February 4, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Offshore Well Boat Workers Concession Extended
February 5, 2026 | QatarQatar: Long-Term Residence Permit for Executives and Entrepreneurs Announced
February 4, 2026 | IndonesiaIndonesia: Global Citizenship of Indonesia Program Announced
February 4, 2026 | Sri LankaSri Lanka: New Visa Options for Digital Nomads and Tourists Launched
February 4, 2026 | ThailandThailand: Mandatory Online Work Permit and Foreign Worker Registration System Forthcoming
February 4, 2026 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Offshore Well Boat Workers Concession Extended
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Weekly Immigration Update: September 23–29, 2022

September 29, 2022

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In immigration news this week:

  • Worldwide: Jurisdictions around the world continue to adapt their coronavirus-related travel restrictions and health requirements based on several factors, including fluctuating infection rates and growing vaccination initiatives. Visit Fragomen’s COVID-19 website for the latest immigration updates.
  • United States: Effective September 26, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has increased the automatic extension granted to green card renewal applicants to 24 months, up from an automatic extension of 12 months under the prior policy. Foreign nationals who wish to enter the FY 2024 Diversity Visa lottery have from October 5 at noon EDT until November 8 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official Diversity Visa lottery website. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from November 26, 2022 through May 25, 2024. DHS is also extending the suspension of certain employment authorization rules for Burmese students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in Burma.
  • Malaysia: Effective October 1, the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) will accept online applications for the newly introduced Digital Nomad Pass under the DE Rantau Nomad Pass Program.
  • United Kingdom: In early 2023, the United Kingdom will begin rolling out electronic travel authorization for visa-exempt travelers, with full implementation anticipated before the end of 2023.
  • European Union/Russia: Estonia confirmed local exceptions to the entry ban for Russian citizens holding valid short-term Schengen visas. Latvia has suspended long-term (D) visa issuance to Russian citizens. Lithuania confirmed local exceptions to the regional entry ban for Russian citizens holding valid short-term Schengen visas. Norway has suspended the visa facilitation agreement for Russian citizens. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Minimum salary changes: In Albania, the national minimum wage increased to ALL 34,000 gross per month, up 5.9 percent and in Serbia, the national minimum wage will increase in 2023. See our consolidated alert for more information.
  • Schengen Area/Vietnam: The Ministry of Public Security in Vietnam now automatically includes the place of birth in new passports. See our consolidated alert for details.

These items and other news from Austria, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lithuania, Mexico, New Zealand, Oman, Panama, Singapore, Sri Lanka, and the United Kingdom follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

United States, September 28, 2022
USCIS Increases Green Card Validity Extension for Renewal Applicants

  • Effective September 26, 2022, USCIS has increased the automatic extension granted to green card renewal applicants to 24 months, up from an automatic extension of 12 months under the prior policy.
  • Lawful permanent residents who properly file a Form I-90 application to renew their green card will receive an application receipt notice documenting the new 24-month extension.
  • USCIS is expected to update its M-274 Handbook for Employers to reflect the changes for purposes of Form I-9 employment eligibility verification under the new policy.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Malaysia, September 27, 2022
New Digital Nomad Program Forthcoming

  • Starting October 1, 2022, the Malaysian government will start accepting online applications for the newly introduced Digital Nomad Pass under the DE Rantau Nomad Pass Program.
  • Eligible foreign nationals who earn over USD 24,000 annually will be able to apply for the Nomad Pass.
  • Nomad Pass holders will be able to stay and work in Malaysia for up to three to 12 months initially, with the option to extend for up to 12 months per application.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 26, 2022
DHS Extends and Redesignates Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status; Extends Relaxed Employment Options for Burmese F-1 Students

  • The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended and redesignated Burma (Myanmar) for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from November 26, 2022 through May 25, 2024. 
  • The initial registration period for new TPS applicants will run from September 27, 2022 through May 25, 2024. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
  • Current Burmese TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register by November 26, 2022. Those whose EADs expire on November 25, 2022 will receive an automatic one-year extension, through November 25, 2023.
  • DHS is also extending the suspension of certain employment authorization rules for Burmese students in F-1 status who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the humanitarian crisis in Burma.

 

United Kingdom, September 26, 2022
Roll-out of Electronic Travel Authorisation for Visa-Exempt Travellers to Begin January 2023

  • The United Kingdom will start to roll-out its system for the issuance of ‘Electronic Travel Authorisation’ (“ETA”) as part of its ‘Permission to Travel Scheme’ for visa-exempt travellers starting from 2023, with full operations anticipated to be in place by Q3 2023.
  • The ETA application process should take less than 15 minutes and a decision provided within 78 hours.
  • Securing ETA is not the same as getting a visa. ETA is simply a digital travel authorisation for visa-exempt travellers visiting the United Kingdom. It only gives permission for a person to board a plane for travel to the United Kingdom. It is comparable to the ESTA in the United States and is designed to strengthen the control and compliance of UK borders.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 23, 2022
FY 2024 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens October 5

  • Entrants have from Wednesday, October 5, 2022 at noon EDT until Tuesday, November 8, 2022 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.

Other weekly news briefs

Austria, September 26, 2022
Red-White-Red Card Improvements Forthcoming

Iraq, September 23, 2022
Delays Expected in Processing Immigration Applications for Companies in Oil and Gas Sector

Italy, September 23, 2022
Deadline to Change Immigration Status Extended

Jordan/Oman, September 23, 2022
Additional Special Visa Programs Announced to Facilitate Regional Travel for the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar

Kenya, September 28, 2022
Old Generation Passport to Expire in November 2022

Lithuania, September 27, 2022
Jobseeker Permit, Job Search Timeframe Introduced

Mexico, September 23, 2022
Electronic Entry (FMM) Program Expanded to More Travelers

New Zealand, September 28, 2022
New Active Investor Plus Visa Launched

Oman, September 29, 2022
New Digital Residence Sticker

Panama, September 26, 2022
Passport Requirements for Work Permit Applications Temporarily Relaxed

Singapore, September 29, 2022
Revised Vaccination Requirements for Some Work Pass Applicants

Sri Lanka, September 28, 2022
New Five-Year Multiple Entry Tourist Visa Forthcoming

United Kingdom, September 28, 2022
New Employment Checking Service Forthcoming, Temporary Right to Work Check Measures Cease

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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