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Managing the Global Mobility Function 2012: Now Available
Expat
United States: Travel Delays Due to the Icelandic Volcano Eruption
Foreign nationals who are unable to timely depart the United States due to the Icelandic volcano eruption should contact their designated immigration professional as soon as possible to discuss options for extending their period of authorized stay. »
Russia: 2010 Quota-Exempt Occupations Announced
The Russian government has released the list of occupations that are exempt from work authorization quotas for 2010. After January 23, employers may apply for work authorization for foreign nationals in these occupations even if they did not submit an application for a 2010 quota allotment. »
India: New Limitations on Issuance and Use of Tourist Visas
Holders of Indian tourist visas are now required to wait at least two months from their last departure from India before re-entering the country for tourism. Exceptions may be available under certain circumstances. »
United States: H-1B Cap Is Close to Exhaustion
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has now received 64,200 filings against the fiscal 2010 H-1B cap. The agency is still accepting petitions for H-1B employment in the current fiscal year, but the cap could be reached imminently. »
United Kingdom: Migration Advisory Committee Announces Tier 1 Recommendations
The United Kingdom’s Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has recommended a number of changes to the country’s immigration programs for highly skilled foreign nationals under the Points Based System, including adjusting the points allocation for previous salary figures and lowering the minimum education requirement. The MAC’s recommendations will not take effect without further action by... »
Brazil: Travel Issues for Visa Nationals with Pending Renewal or Change of Status Applications; Strike at Government Offices Cause Processing Delays
To avoid problems on reentry, foreign nationals who travel outside Brazil during the pendency of a renewal or change of status application should ensure they are in possession of a valid visa prior to their return travel (unless visa-waived) and carry their Federal Police Protocol when traveling. In a separate development, government workers in... »
Japan: Insurance Requirement for Renewals and Changes of Status; Registration Requirement under Future Residence Card System
The Japanese government recently clarified that while proof of participation in the Social Insurance System will still be requested from renewal and change of status applicants starting April 1, 2010, failure to submit such proof by itself will not lead to a denial of an application. On a separate note, under the upcoming Resident... »
US: State Department Releases December 2009 Visa Bulletin India EB-3 Advances Slightly; Other Employment-Based Cut-Off Dates Are Unchanged
Cut-off dates for the India employment-based third preference (EB-3) immigrant category will advance by just one week in December, but otherwise, priority dates in the first, second and third preferences will be unchanged next month. »
United States: New Proposal Would Limit Nonimmigrant Hiring in the Event of Employer Mass Layoffs
Under a new proposed bill, employers that conduct mass layoffs would be restricted from sponsoring and employing foreign nationals in temporary visa categories. »
United States: Holiday Travel Planning for Foreign Nationals
The winter holiday season is approaching and many foreign nationals are beginning to make plans to travel abroad. Now is the right time for these individuals to make sure that they are prepared, from an immigration perspective, to depart and reenter the United States. Understanding their immigration obligations can help foreign employees minimize the... »