Weekly News Impacting Global Employers Covered by Greenberg Traurig’s Business Immigration & Compliance Practice
In This Issue
Greenberg Traurig to Host Webinar Addressing Business Immigration Risks in Global Markets
Ian Macdonald
When companies with a globally mobile workforce expand operations, win projects or are faced with a reduction in force they must navigate the ever-changing regulations in markets abroad. With penalties for the misuse of immigration programs on the rise, it is crucial that global employers remain compliant and address key changes in global immigration in … Continue Reading
USCIS Has a New Looking Website with Enhancements
Ian Macdonald
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) launched its new-look website late last week. Visitors to the website will find a cleaner looking page with better navigation tools than before. The mobile device version of USCIS’s website has been updated with an enhanced Case Status tool that allows visitors to get updates on pending cases, including … Continue Reading
Ebola-Related Immigration Restrictions: Canada, Australia, Singapore and the United States
Ian Macdonald
In response to the Ebola epidemic, Canada, Australia and Singapore have all implemented immigration restrictions on citizens from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Other countries are expected to implement similar restrictions. Starting today, Singapore requires all citizens of Ebola-stricken countries to obtain entry visas before they can be admitted into the country – previously visas … Continue Reading
Some Reciprocity Changes Announced by DOS
Ian Macdonald
The Department of State (DOS) announced changes to the Country Reciprocity Tables for immigrant visa cases. Specifically, the DOS update provided the following country-specific updates… Continue Reading
Irish Employment Permits: Original Signatures No Longer Required
Rebecca Schechter
Ireland’s Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation announced on its website last week that it would now accept scanned signatures on its employment permit application forms. In its update, the Department noted that it may still request original signatures on a case by case basis. Employers should note that the Employment Permit forms still indicate … Continue Reading
The Visa Waiver Program’s Security is Strengthened in Response to National Security Concerns
Ian Macdonald
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that all travelers seeking admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) will be subject to enhanced security measures. This measure is being implemented in response to concerns that a significant number of foreign fighters, including U.S. and European nationals, have traveled to Syria to support terrorist groups whose … Continue Reading
Philippines to Begin Requiring Registration of Foreign Nationals
Dillon Colucci
The Bureau of Immigration for the Republic of the Philippines is now requiring all foreign nationals to provide biometric information. From Oct. 1, 2014, until Sept. 30, 2015, foreign nationals must present themselves before the Bureau of Immigration to have their fingerprints and image captured and entered into the Bureau of Immigration’s database. This does … Continue Reading
DOL Directives on Business Necessity and Finite Employment Unearthed Through PERM FOIA Litigation
Shaun Staller
A recent Freedom of Information (FOIA) request has led to the Department of Labor (DOL) releasing 272 documents relevant to the operation of the Office of Foreign Labor Certification’s (OFLC) Program Electronic Review Management System (PERM). These documents provide some useful insight into DOL policy. For further information, see the Gluckman v. U.S. Dept. of Labor opinion here. … Continue Reading
Report Calls for Simplifying Australia’s 457 Visa Program and Increased Worksite Compliance
Rebecca Schechter
In a government-commissioned report published in September 2014, an independent panel concluded that Australia’s 457 visa program was too complicated and burdensome for employers and applicants. The report proposed several changes to simplify and streamline the 457 visa process. The Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) allows skilled workers to work for a sponsoring employer … Continue Reading
British-Irish Visa Scheme Announced for Chinese and Indian Nationals
Ian Macdonald
In an effort to increase travel by Chinese and Indian nationals between the United Kingdom and Ireland, authorities in both countries recently announced a single visa option for certain short stay and visitor visas. Under this scheme, Chinese and Indian nationals will be able to take short trips to one country and then the other … Continue Reading
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