Weekly Immigration Update: September 30–October 6, 2022

United States, October 6, 2022
Fifth Circuit Affirms Lower Court’s Ruling Against DACA But Remands to Lower Court in Light of New DACA Regulation and Preserves Status Quo for Current DACA Beneficiaries

• On October 5, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit upheld a lower court’s finding that the Department of Homeland Security’s 2012 memorandum establishing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program is substantively and procedurally unlawful, but the Court of Appeals has returned the case to the lower court to consider the legality of the DACA regulation recently promulgated by the Biden Administration.
• The Fifth Circuit’s ruling preserves the current stay that allows current DACA beneficiaries to continue to maintain and renew DACA status.

To view entire article, click here.

 

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

• Entrants have until Tuesday, November 8, 2022 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.

 

Malaysia, October 5, 2022
New Short-Term Social Visit Pass Program Launched

• The Malaysian government has launched a new short-term Social Visit Pass program called PLS@XPATS, which allows foreign nationals to work in Malaysia for up to 30 days.
• Foreign nationals seeking to perform certain work in specific sectors are eligible to apply online for work authorization under the program.
• Applicants benefit from a three-day government processing time, which is much shorter than the short-term Professional Visit Pass entry option

To view entire article, click here.

 

Ecuador, October 3, 2022
Temporary Residence Visa for Digital Nomads Available

• Ecuador introduced a two-year temporary residence visa for digital nomads, which offers foreign nationals who own a company or work for or provide services to a company or person outside Ecuador the option to reside in and work remotely from Ecuador without local sponsorship.
• The visa is available to nationals of 182 countries/territories as determined by the Ministry of Tourism.
• Eligible applicants must have earned a minimum of USD 1,275 per month in the last three months, or a total of USD 15,300 over the past year, among other requirements.
• The visa does not allow foreign nationals to perform local work in Ecuador.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, September 30, 2022
Congress Passes Stopgap Spending Measure, Funding Government Through December 16, 2022, While FY 2023 Budget Is Finalized 

• A stopgap spending measure passed by Congress will fund the U.S. government – including E-Verify and the Conrad 30 program – through December 16, 2022, as Congress considers federal budget legislation to fund the government for the full FY 2023. President Biden is expected to sign the stopgap measure.
• Passage of the short-term spending bill avoids a government shutdown on October 1, 2022 and provides more time for Congress to pass a FY 2023 budget.

To view entire article, click here.