Tag Archive
Russia: Employers May Now Apply for Work Permits for 2010
Russian authorities recently released the 2010 work permit quota distributions for each region of the Russian Federation. The Russian government sets a national quota for the maximum number of available work permits each year, which are later allocated by region and occupation. Employers cannot file work permit applications on behalf of foreign workers until... »
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 Kingdom: Upcoming Immigration Changes in 2010
This spring, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) is expected to introduce more stringent overseas employment requirements for new intracompany transferees and limit their ability to apply for permanent residence. The UKBA will also introduce new internship and work experience categories for foreign nationals and is also expected to loosen compliance requirements for foreign nationals... »
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. »
United States: Several State Immigration Laws Went Into Effect on Jan. 1, 2010
While there was relatively little legislative action on the state front in 2009 targeting the employment of foreign nationals compared to past years, at least three important state laws affecting employers became effective on January 1, 2010, in the states of South Carolina, Georgia and Illinois. In addition, there were developments in late 2009... »
Switzerland: Work Permit Quotas Lowered 50% for 2010
Swiss authorities have announced that work permit quotas for non-European Union/European Free Trade Association nationals for 2010 will be cut fifty percent. In addition, work permit applications are expected to face increasing scrutiny. »
Netherlands: Minimum Income Level Requirements for Knowledge Migrants to Increase in 2010
The Dutch government is raising the minimum gross income requirements for Knowledge Migrants, effective January 1, 2010. Applicants under 30 years of age will have to evidence a gross annual starting salary of at least EUR 36,801. The minimum for applicants 30 years of age and over will be EUR 50,183. The Knowledge Migrant... »
United States: State Department Releases January 2010 Visa Bulletin Little Movement for Most Employment-Based Cut-Offs; Projections for Remainder of FY 2010
According to the new Visa Bulletin, immigrant visa priority date cut-offs for the China employment-based second preference (EB-2) immigrant category will advance by one month in January. EB-2 India will remain unchanged. The employment-based third preference (EB-3) category will advance one month for Mexico and approximately two months for all other countries. The Department... »
United States: FY 2010 H-1B Cap Moves Closer to Exhaustion Employers with Remaining H-1B Hiring Needs Must File As Soon As Possible
USCIS has now received 61,100 filings against the fiscal 2010 cap. Employers can still submit petitions for H-1B employment in the current fiscal year, but should do so as quickly as possible because the annual cap is likely to be exhausted soon. »
United States: FY 2010 H-1B Usage Continues to Climb Higher, as 900 New Cap Filings Are Reported
The latest report from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services shows that H-1B cap usage continues to move more rapidly towards the annual quota for the year. Employers can still file H-1B petitions for employment in fiscal 2010, but should plan on filing quickly. »