Weekly News Impacting Global Employers Covered by Greenberg Traurig’s Business Immigration & Compliance Practice
In This Issue
November Visa Bulletin Confirms Fears of Significant Retrogression for EB-2 India
Scott Decker
The Department of State released its November Visa Bulletin today. It is a mixture of good news and really bad news. The good news is that the EB-2 and EB-3 categories for all countries, except for India, continue to experience forward movement. Worldwide, EB-2 availability remains current and EB-3 availability advanced to June 1, 2012. … Continue Reading
Russia: Employers Have Until October 30 to Report Salaries of Highly Qualified Specialists
Shaun Staller*
The Russian Federal Migration Service requires that companies operating in Russia that employ Highly Qualified Specialists (HQS) report the salaries paid to those HQS during the third quarter of 2014 (July 1 to Sept. 30) before the end of the month. Employers that do not comply face administrative fines ranging from 400,000 rubles to 1 … Continue Reading
FBI Clearance Requests Delayed Following New Computer System Roll-Out
Shaun Staller*
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is presently processing clearance requests at a very slow pace and has suspended processing of all nongovernmental fingerprint requests until further notice due to a new computer system at the FBI’s Criminal Justice Information Service division. The slowdown is affecting requests pending as of September 7, 2014, and possibly … Continue Reading
Argentina’s Move to Electronic Visa Filings Results in Delays
Rebecca Schechter
Argentina’s transition to an electronic filing system for visa and work permit applications has produced lengthy processing delays. The Direccion Nacional de Migraciones (DNM)’s new electronic system eliminates jurisdictional rules and allows companies to submit documents at any DNM office as all DNM offices have access to uploaded applications. However, applicants must still appear in … Continue Reading
Visa Procedures to Change at the U.S. Embassy in the Dominican Republic
Ian Macdonald
Employers and employees should take note that the U.S. Embassy in Santo Domingo in the Dominican Republic will implement several changes to the visa application process, effective November 12, 2014. Specifically, applicants for B-2 Tourist Visas will need to follow a multiple-step process: (i) they will first have to go to the U.S. Embassy’s webpage … Continue Reading
India Expected to Implement E-Visa Processing in 2015
Ian Macdonald
In a statement by India’s tourism minister, employers and employees can look forward to E-Visa processing by June 2015. E-Visa processing, also known as Electronic Visa Authorisation (ETA), is expected to be available to approximately 15 countries initially. The list of countries is a point of contention among the three Indian government agencies involved in … Continue Reading
USCIS to Purge 10-Year Old E-Verify Records
Ian Macdonald
Starting January 1, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will start purging the E-Verify records of employers that are 10 years old or more. This initiative is in accordance with the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) records retention and disposal requirements which mandate that USCIS dispose of E-Verify records after 10 years. In … Continue Reading
Uruguay Enhances Intra-MERCOSUR Mobility in EU-like Move
Shaun Staller*
The Uruguayan government has enacted a new immigration law—effective later in October—that will offer expedited 30-business-day processing of permanent residence permits and accompanying work authorization to MERCOSUR nationals. It is expected to issue implementing regulations and specify application requirements within the next several weeks. Residence permit applications, which will be less burdensome, can be filed … Continue Reading
USCIS Launches myE-Verify with Identity Protection Features
Scott Decker
On October 6, 2014, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodríguez announced the launch of myE-Verify — a new website designed to be a “one-stop shop” for employees to create and maintain secure personal accounts and access new features for identity protection. myE-Verify provides workers with a free and secure outlet to interface … Continue Reading
Australia: Fair Work Inspectors Can Now Check For Immigration Compliance
Shaun Staller*
All Australian businesses were already under the obligation to only employ staff authorized to work in Australia. Those businesses that are registered to sponsor overseas employees have additional obligations as well, such as a duty to provide notifications to the Department of Immigration and Border Protection and to ensure that visa holders receive market salary … Continue Reading
Delays in Kenya Work Permit Applications
Rebecca Schechter
Kenya’s Department of Immigration Services has effectively put all pending work permit applications on hold. The Department’s work permit review committee has not worked on applications for the last few weeks. Those applicants who urgently need work authorization may apply for short-term work passes, which have not been affected. It appears that the work stoppage … Continue Reading
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*Not admitted to the practice of law.