Immigration
United States: Greece Joins Visa Waiver Program
Greece has become a member of the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced. DHS estimates that, in about 30 days, Greek citizens should be able to begin using the program to make short trips for business or tourism visits without the need to obtain a visa, provided that... »
Costa Rica: New Immigration Law Takes Effect
The new Costa Rican immigration law came into effect on March 1, 2010. Among other changes, the new law requires all residence and work permit applicants to submit proof that they have registered with the Costa Rican Social Security Administration, imposes new penalties on foreign nationals who remain in Costa Rica beyond their authorized... »
Brazil: New Procedures for In-Country Registrations
As previously reported, the Foreign Division of the Federal Police Department of São Paulo in Brazil has changed the registration procedures for work permit holders. In general, foreign nationals who will remain in Brazil for more than 90 days must register with the Federal Police within 30 days of entry. Foreign nationals holding work... »
United States Reminder: FY 2011 H-1B Cap Filing Season Opens on April 1
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin accepting Fiscal Year (FY) 2011 H-1B cap petitions on April 1, 2010. Though the business immigration community does not anticipate the huge initial surge of filings and rapid cap exhaustion of past years, filing petitions on April 1, or at least during the first five business days... »
United States: ICE Boosts I-9 Audit Efforts in Several States
Over the past week, Fragomen has learned that numerous employers throughout the United States have recently received notices of I-9 inspection from U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). ICE officials have not been able to confirm that these audits are the result of a nationwide initiative akin to the programs that resulted in the... »
United States: Technical Problems Plague DS-160 Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application
Foreign nationals who are trying to fill out Form DS-160, the new, fully electronic nonimmigrant visa application, have been experiencing widespread technical problems and delays. The Department of State (DOS) is attempting to resolve the problems, but in the meantime, individuals who are unable to complete the online form should check with the consulate... »
Singapore: Foreign Worker Levies to Gradually Increase Over the Next Three Years, Starting July 1, 2010
Companies that sponsor “S” Pass and Work Permit holders will be required to pay increased foreign worker levies starting on July 1, 2010. For “S” Pass holders, the monthly levy per foreign worker will be raised to SGD100-120 (approximately US $71 - $85) beginning July 1, 2010, and gradually increase to a maximum of... »
United States – Some Employers Report Petition Revocation Notices after USCIS Site Visits
Some employers have reported receiving U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notices of intent to revoke an immigration petition and requests for additional information after the agency has conducted a worksite visit to verify the facts stated in a petition. So far, the notices are not widespread, but could become more common as the site... »
USCIS Proposes Significant Revision of Nonimmigrant Worker Petition
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is proposing a significant revision of Form I-129, the nonimmigrant worker petition, that would require employers to make declarations about the third-party placement of foreign workers and about compliance with federal export control laws, among other changes. »
United States: Narrow Exception Allowing H-1B Petitions without Certified LCAs Set to Expire
A temporary U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) policy that allows employers to file H-1B petitions without certified labor condition applications (LCAs) in limited circumstances will expire on March 4, 2010. Unless the policy is extended by the agency, employers with long-pending LCAs will need to wait for certification by the Department of Labor... »