Weekly Immigration Update: September 29–October 5, 2023
October 5, 2023
In immigration news this week:
- United States: President Biden has signed a short-term spending bill that will fund the federal government – including immigration operations – through November 17, averting a government shutdown for now. The second filing period for the Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 H-1B cap season closes on October 31. Diversity Visa entrants for FY 2025 have until November 7 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from March 11, 2024 to September 10, 2025. DHS has also redesignated Venezuela for TPS from October 3, 2023 to April 2, 2025.
- United Kingdom: The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its review of the country’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and ultimately recommended that the SOL should be abolished.
- European Union/Ukraine: The European Council has agreed to extend the temporary protection system until at least March 4, 2025. The agreement is expected to be formally adopted shortly. Once it has been adopted, it will become binding on EU Member States, with specific procedural aspects to be detailed at national levels. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Slovakia: The closure of foreign police offices has been extended to October 8. See our alert for details.
- Portugal: The bill that will end portions of the golden visa pathway will take effect the week of October 9.
These items and other news from Belgium, Bermuda, Canada, Denmark, the European Union, Guyana, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Portugal, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Schengen Area, South Africa, Taiwan, and Thailand follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
United States, October 4, 2023
FY 2025 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Opens
- Entrants have until Tuesday, November 7, 2023 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.
- Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements.
To view entire article, click here.
United Kingdom, October 3, 2023
Migration Advisory Committee Review Recommends Abolishing Shortage Occupation List
- The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) published its review of the country’s Shortage Occupation List (SOL) and ultimately recommended that the SOL should be abolished.
- The MAC further recommended that until the SOL is abolished, or as an alternative to abolishment, the list’s benefits should be curtailed in two ways: (1) employers should not benefit from a lower salary threshold when seeking to fill occupations on the SOL with a foreign worker and (2) a sharp decrease in the number of occupations that should be included in the SOL.
- The MAC, while limited to giving independent advice to the government on migratory issues and making recommendations, is highly influential, and most of its recommendations are typically accepted by the government.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, October 3, 2023
DHS Extends and Redesignates Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status
- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has extended Venezuela for Temporary Protected Status (TPS), from March 11, 2024 to September 10, 2025.
- DHS has also redesignated Venezuela for TPS from October 3, 2023 to April 2, 2025.
- The registration period for new TPS applicants will run from October 3, 2023 to April 2, 2025. Eligible individuals will also be able to apply for TPS-related employment authorization documents (EADs) and travel permission during this time.
- Current Venezuelan TPS beneficiaries who wish to extend their benefits will be required to re-register between January 10, 2024 and March 10, 2024. Those whose current EADs will expire before receiving a new one will receive an automatic extension through March 10, 2025.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, October 2, 2023
H-1B Cap Petition Filing Period Closes October 31
Employers have just a few more weeks to file petitions for foreign nationals selected in the second FY 2024 H-1B cap lottery. USCIS must receive all cap petitions by October 31, 2023.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, October 2, 2023
Federal Shutdown Averted for Now
President Biden has signed a short-term spending bill that will fund the federal government – including immigration operations – through November 17, 2023.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Belgium, October 3, 2023
Wallonia Shortage Occupation List Shrinks
Bermuda, October 3, 2023
Technical Issues with Immigration Department’s Systems May Cause Delays
Canada, October 4, 2023
Upfront Medical Examination No Longer Required Before Submitting Express Entry Applications
Denmark, October 4, 2023
Shortage Occupations Positive List for Graduates Expanded
European Union/Schengen Area, October 5, 2023
Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
European Union/Portugal, September 3, 2023
European Commission Opens Infringement Proceedings Against Portugal's CPLP Residence Permits
Guyana, October 3, 2023
New Requirements for Extension of Work Permit Approval Letters Implemented
Malaysia, September 29, 2023
Issuance of I-Kad Cards for Certain Employment Pass Holders
Netherlands, October 3, 2023
Netherlands to Abolish Golden Visa Regime
Qatar, October 3, 2023
New Digital Platform for Retired Qatari Nationals Seeking to Work in Private Sector
Qatar, October 2, 2023
Certain Categories Exempt from Mandatory Health Insurance
Saudi Arabia, October 2, 2023
Private Dental Sector Saudization Ratio To Increase
South Africa, October 5, 2023
New Occupations and Requirements Added to Critical Skills List
Taiwan, September 12, 2023
Tourism for Mainland Chinese Nationals Resumed
Thailand, October 4, 2023
Upcoming Changes to Long-term Visa Extension Requirements
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
