U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Announces Strengthened Integrity Measures for H-1B Program / USCIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on January 30 announced a final rule to strengthen the integrity of and reduce the potential for fraud in the H-1B registration process, including by reducing the potential for gaming the registration system and ensuring each beneficiary would have the same chance of being selected, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf. USCIS is also announcing the initial registration period dates for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap, and the launch of an online filing option for Forms I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for H-1B petitioners.

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U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule will allow USCIS to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications.

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China, Thailand sign mutual visa exemption agreement which will come into effect from March 1

China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement on Sunday, which will come into effect from March 1, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

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H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, co-signed the “Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Ordinary Passports and Passports for Public Affairs”, at Narathip Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of H.E. Mr. Wang Yi’s official visit to Thailand between 26 - 29 January 2024. 

READ THE NEWS FROM THAILAND MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HERE

Mutual 30-Day Visa-Exemption Arrangement Between Singapore and The People’s Republic Of China

With effect from 9 February 2024, holders of ordinary passports issued by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be exempted from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in Singapore. 

There will be no refund of the visa processing fee for those who had earlier submitted an application.

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The Pacific Engagement Visa – Australia’s new permanent visa

The Australian Government has heard the calls from Pacific leaders for deeper connections and easier movement around the region and are taking steps to improve access, mobility and migration opportunities. Boosting Pacific permanent migration to Australia is an essential part of our plan to build a stronger Pacific Family.

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Exploring Edinburgh 2024 Trailer

Dropping the trailer to my upcoming YT video - Exploring Edinburgh 2024!

UK and South Korea expand Youth Mobility schemes for young people

The expansion takes effect 31 January 2024, with increased annual quota, increased age range and the removal of the ballot process.

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Signing of the Japan-Austria Social Security Agreement

According to the provisions of this agreement, temporarily dispatched employees whose dispatch period is less than five years are, in principle, covered by the pension system of the sending country. 

Additionally, you will be able to establish your pension entitlement by adding up the insurance periods in both countries.

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Taiwan - TSMC's Kumamoto fab to open on Feb. 24

Mark Liu (劉德音), chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, said Thursday Jan. 18 that the company's overseas expansion is proceeding as planned with a wafer plant in Kumamoto, Japan slated to open on Feb. 24.

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Ireland - Processing of Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications on hand following the closure of the Programme

Following the closure of the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) on 14 February 2023 it was agreed that arrangements in relation to the orderly winding down of the Programme would be put in place. These arrangements have now been finalised.

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China - National Immigration Administration (NIA) Releases Five New Measures to Facilitate Entries of Foreigners

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has officially implemented five measures on January 11, aimed at simplifying the process for foreign nationals seeking to visit China. The measures are designed to make business activities, education, and tours in China more accessible for foreign nationals. The measures will further eliminate hurdles related to doing business, studying, and traveling in China and better serve China's high-level opening up and high-quality development.

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