by Frank Alvarado | Nov 13, 2020 | Global
Decision of 11th November 2020 of the General Directorate of Public Health, related to health controls to undertake at the entry points of Spain Spain announced the obligation of passengers travelling to Spain by air or sea to undertake a COVID-19 RT-PCR test within...
by Frank Alvarado | Nov 12, 2020 | Global
Due to the current political climate in Hong Kong, new temporary and permanent immigration pathways, as well as fast-track processes, are being implemented for Hong Kong residents. New policies include expedition of processing for work and study permits, open work...
by James Pinedo | Nov 12, 2020 | Investor Visas
The U.S. House of Representatives recently joined many states by voting to decriminalize marijuana via legislation that would remove cannabis from the list of scheduled substances under the Controlled Substances Act and eliminate criminal penalties for individuals who...
by Frank Alvarado | Nov 9, 2020 | Global
The UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) has published the Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules which set out the legal framework for the new immigration system. Important Dates 12/1/2020: skilled worker route opens 12/31/2020: free movement rights end for EU citizens...
by Frank Alvarado | Nov 9, 2020 | Global
In order to provide proactive strategies related to the hiring of foreign workers in Singapore in the context of the increasing labor market restrictions, here are recommended steps companies can take in advance of immigration sponsorship to meet government...
by James Pinedo | Nov 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Bernard Wolfsdorf, Joseph Barnett, and Robert Blanco USCIS has issued new policy guidance to clarify that violations of federal controlled substance law, including violations involving marijuana, are generally a bar to establishing good...
by James Pinedo | Oct 30, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett Canada has officially legalized the production, distribution, sale and possession of cannabis across Canada. While some foreign nationals may want to head north and celebrate, beware of potential consequences upon re-entry into the United...
by James Pinedo | Oct 22, 2020 | Investor Visas
Twenty-four states, including California, and the District of Columbia have enacted laws which legalize or decriminalize the use and possession of marijuana in some form for medicinal purposes. Four of these states (Colorado, Washington, Oregon, and Alaska) and...
by James Pinedo | Oct 16, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett Writ of mandamus lawsuits against U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) are en vogue, and for good reason: as of December 2, 2019, the estimated time range to process a Form I-526 petition has skyrocketed from...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 23, 2020 | Global
Summary: The Home Office has published further details on the new post-Brexit immigration system. Also, there was an update on international travelers arriving in the United Kingdom (UK). Overview: The Home Office recently published further details on the proposed new...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 23, 2020 | Global
Beginning on July 15, 2020, foreign citizens and those crossing the Russian border on a regular flight, and entering Russia with any purpose except work, must present documentation of a negative COVID-19 test in Russian or English: (1) The document should confirm a...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 23, 2020 | Global
When Germany agreed to change its skilled immigration laws in 2019 to facilitate the immigration of skilled employees from abroad, its economy was thriving and the labor market was robust and on the edge of turning into an employee market. IT professionals, engineers,...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 23, 2020 | Global
Last Updated: September 22, 2020 LEGAL DISCLAIMER WR maintains a Global Travel Advisory for American travelers on our COVID-19 Resource page. Due to the evolving and unpredictable nature of the global pandemic, please be advised that COVID-19 related travel...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 22, 2020 | Global
The government has made changes to the Québec Experience Class (PEQ) program. For the past 10 years, workers and students in Québec had the choice between two permanent residence streams: the expedited ” Québec Experience Class” (Programme de...
by James Pinedo | Sep 18, 2020 | Investor Visas
USCIS processing times have been frustratingly long and made even worse due to COVID-19. Unfortunately, the delays are now getting longer and adversely impacting the lives of employers, employees and families. As a result, more immigrants are turning to the courts for...
by James Pinedo | Sep 11, 2020 | Investor Visas
USCIS processing of Forms I-829 Petition by Investor to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status has taken a turn for the worse, and conditional green card holders are suffering with the bureaucratic challenges that arise from USCIS’ delays, which damage their...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 8, 2020 | Global
Belgium has added to the list of categories of travelers with an essential function or need, and has issued an update on restrictions on non-essential travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. List of categories of essential travelers. Belgium has extended, effective July...
by James Pinedo | Sep 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
USCIS is reporting online that the estimated processing time for a Form I-829 Petition by Entrepreneur to Remove Conditions on Permanent Resident Status at Immigrant Investor Program Office is now 37 to 248 months. USCIS is only allowing case inquiries for cases...
by Frank Alvarado | Sep 3, 2020 | Global
A Turkish work permit cannot be self-sponsored; it must be sponsored by a Turkish legal entity (a joint stock company, joint venture, limited liability company, or liaison office), with the exception of domestic workers, who may be sponsored by the appropriate...
by Frank Alvarado | Aug 18, 2020 | Global
A frequently asked question: What are the policies and procedures on employer sponsorship criteria in Italy? To sponsor a work permit application in Italy, a company/entity must: Be registered with the Italian Business Register (Registro Imprese) or equivalent (see...
by James Pinedo | Aug 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett, Robert Blanco, and Afshan Randera With current Form I-829 average processing times extending beyond 3 years, it’s critical for EB-5 conditional green card holders to maintain lawful immigration status. U.S. laws provide immigration...
by James Pinedo | Aug 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Bernard Wolfsdorf and Joseph Barnett Yesterday USCIS released new guidance on the EB-5 Visa which updates the adjudication policy on issues related to Form I-526 and Form I-829 petitions. In particular, the new guidance...
by James Pinedo | Aug 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett Earlier this week, new Immigrant Investor Program Office Chief Sarah Kendall addressed the EB-5 community at the AILA/IIUSA EB-5 Industry Forum in Chicago, Illinois. We are happy to see this type of engagement by USCIS and are hopeful...
by James Pinedo | Jul 23, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Wolfsdorf Rosenthal LLP On March 8, 2018, a draft of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Visa and Regional Center Program Comprehensive Reform Act (the “EB-5 Reform Act”) was released. This new proposal is similar to earlier congressional reform attempts but...
by James Pinedo | Jul 14, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph M. Barnett, Esq. With 39,443 I-526 EB-5 petitions filed in the past three fiscal years, at least $19 billion has been invested in the U.S. economy through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program during the period from October 1, 2014 to September 30,...
