In a world constantly on the move, where borders are permeable and cultures interweave, understanding the intricate dance of global migration is more crucial than ever.
We’ve put together some current happenings in global immigration from a few high volume foreign workforce countries.
What’s happening in the US
- As of December 2023, Visa Bulletin remains stagnant except for a small amount of movement for EB-2 and EB-3 Final Action Dates for China. For all other countries, including India, EB-1, EB-2 and EB-3 for the December 2023 Visa Bulletin remains the same as November 2023. USCIS will accept I-485 Adjustment of Status Applications based on Dates for Filing dates. (December Visa Bulletin)
- In June 2023, the Department of State (DOS) announced a pilot program for H-1B workers to be able to renew their visas domestically. In November 2023, DOS held a briefing regarding updates to the pilot program. To start, there will be 20,000 visas between December 2023 and February 2024. DOS is looking to extend this program throughout 2024. Additional efforts will also be put toward extending visa interview waivers where possible. (DOS Briefing)
- Congress passed a Stopgap Spending Bill on November 16, 2023 that will continue to fund the many agencies. This Bill includes funding for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Labor (DOL) and the Department of State (DOS) until February 2, 2024.
- PERM Processing times. As of October 31, 2023, the Department of Labor (DOL) is processing prevailing wage determinations filed in March 2023. As for PERM applications, PERMS submitted in December 2022 (and earlier) are under Analyst Review. FLAG DOL Processing Times
Updates in China
- To further promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign individuals, and to serve high-quality development and high-level opening-up, China has decided to expand the scope of the unilateral visa-exemption policy.
- From December 1, 2023 to November 30, 2024, China will implement a unilateral visa-exemption policy. This is for ordinary passport holders from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, and Malaysia. Individuals from these countries who hold ordinary passports and come to China for business, tourism, visiting relatives, or transit for no more than 15 days, are exempt from visas.
- Individuals from these six countries who do not meet the visa exemption requirements still need to obtain a visa before entering China.
Big changes to the Swedish work permit process ahead
- The Swedish Migration Agency announced changes to the work permit process in May or 2023. Finally some clarity on the new process has been announced.
- The new model for work permit model will be introduced on January 29th and the current fast-track system will end on December 15th.
- December 14th is the last day for a certified employer to apply for a work permit within the fast-track system.
- The new system will prioritize highly qualified workers which is decided by their position (an SSYK code) and proposes a handling time of 30 days for complete applications.
In an era marked by unprecedented global mobility, the significance of partnering with a reputable Global Immigration provider cannot be overstated. As businesses expand across borders and talent transcends geographical boundaries, staying abreast of the intricate web of immigration legislations worldwide is paramount. A proficient global immigration provider not only ensures real-time updates on evolving regulations, but also navigates the complexities of compliance, safeguarding organizations from legal pitfalls.
Moreover, the ability to keep track of employees scattered across diverse locations is a strategic asset, fostering efficient workforce management and risk mitigation. By entrusting the responsibility of global immigration management to experts, organizations not only demonstrate a commitment to regulatory adherence. but also position themselves to capitalize on international opportunities, fostering a seamless and compliant global workforce.
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