Tuesday, November 21, 2023

Ireland - Notice regarding Stamp 4 support letters Issued by the Dept. of Enterprise Trade and Employment

Effective from 30 November 2023, the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment (DETE) will cease taking applications for Stamp 4 support letters. 

This will impact Critical Skills Employment Permit holders, Researchers on a Hosting Agreement, and NCHD Multi-Site General Employment Permit holders wishing to transfer to a Stamp 4 Immigration permission. 

Denmark - New rules for exemption from the requirement of a work permit

On 17 November 2023 new rules take effect which means that if you are a foreigner (third country national), you can in some cases work for shorter periods of time in Denmark without a residence and work permit.

Monday, November 20, 2023

China - Visa-free transit policy extended to more visitors. Visitors with such a transit visa exemption are allowed to travel or conduct business-related activities in certain areas permitted by port visa authorities

China's 72-hour and 144-hour visa-free transit policies have been extended to visitors from 54 countries, with Norway being the latest addition to the list, an official from the National Immigration Administration said on Friday. 

Visitors with such a transit visa exemption from these countries, including 40 from Europe, six from Asia and four from South America, are allowed to travel or conduct business-related activities in certain areas permitted by port visa authorities, said Mao Xu, director of the NIA's Department of Foreigners Management, during the China International Travel Mart 2023 held in Kunming, Yunnan province.


Friday, November 17, 2023

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Announces Availability of Additional H-2B Visas for Fiscal Year 2024

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), through the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of Labor (DOL) published a temporary final rule making available an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year (FY) 2024, on top of the statutory cap of 66,000 H-2B visas that are available each fiscal year. 

American businesses in industries such as hospitality and tourism, landscaping, seafood processing, and more turn to seasonal and other temporary workers in the H-2B program to help them meet demand from consumers. 

The supplemental visa allocation will help address the need for these workers in areas where too few U.S. workers are available, helping contribute to the American economy. 

The temporary final rule also advances the Biden Administration’s pledge, under the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection, to expand lawful pathways as an alternative to irregular migration. 

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

Australia - Expanding pathways to PR for temporary skilled sponsored workers

​​​​​From 25 November 2023* (subject to the approval of regulation changes), the Australian Government will be making changes to the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) and Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visas to provide a simpler and clearer pathway to permanent residence for TSS visa holders.

The changes will provide employers and holders of TSS visas with more certainty and ensure Australia attracts and retains the skilled workers it needs.​

Thursday, November 09, 2023

US - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in the next year. 

The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 9, 2023.

Tuesday, November 07, 2023

US - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Supplement H-2B Cap with Nearly 65,000 Additional Visas for FY 2024

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of Labor (DOL), announced that it expects to make an additional 64,716 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, on top of the congressionally mandated 66,000 H-2B visas that are available each fiscal year. 

These additional H-2B visas represent the maximum permitted under the September 2023 Fiscal Year 2024 Continuing Resolution. American businesses in industries such as hospitality and tourism, landscaping, seafood processing, and more turn to seasonal or other temporary workers in the H-2B program to help them meet demand from consumers. 

The supplemental visa allocation will help address the need for seasonal or other temporary workers in areas where too few U.S. workers are available, helping contribute to the American economy. 

The H-2B visa expansion advances the Biden Administration’s pledge, under the Los Angeles Declaration for Migration and Protection, to expand lawful pathways as an alternative to irregular migration.

Wednesday, November 01, 2023

China drops health declaration requirements for cross-border travelers

China's customs authorities on Tuesday October 31 announced the cessation of mandatory health declaration requirements for both inbound and outbound travelers.

China - A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates launched in the WeChat mini program of the State Council app

State Council  jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, have launched A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates (2024 Edi...