by Frank Alvarado | Apr 14, 2020 | Global
Summary The Macau government has introduced temperature screening at all border checkpoints, including the airport, land crossings, and ferry terminals. All inbound travelers must complete a health declaration form upon arrival. Ferry services between Hong Kong and...
by James Pinedo | Apr 13, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett and Afshan Randera On May 10, 2019, USCIS updated its policy on Expedite Requests, effective immediately. We previously blogged about expedite processing requests in the context of EB-5 applications,...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 13, 2020 | Global
As the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to expand across the globe, international immigration lawyers find themselves in various stages of the crisis management lifecycle, having to advise clients and companies with business travel and immigration needs. This...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 9, 2020 | Global
Briefing: The Ministry of Interior announced a three-month validity extension of residence permit documents expiring between March 16 and May 15, 2020, including long-stay visas, residence permits, provisional residence permits, asylum application certificates, and...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 7, 2020 | Global
Colombia is restricting entry of all passengers who are not Colombian residents or citizens. Colombian citizens and foreign residents who arrive must perform an obligatory 14-day period of self-isolation after arriving in Colombia. Additional developments include:...
by James Pinedo | Apr 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
This article was previously published in the Regional Center Business Journal. The full version of the journal can be viewed in its entirety here. By: Joseph Barnett Time is of the essence, especially in EB-5 petition and application processing. ...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 6, 2020 | Global
The Canadian government, in line with its “speed over perfection” approach, adjusts and revises travel policies on a daily basis. The situation remains fluid. with many moving parts. Note that all individuals returning to Canada must self-isolate for 14...
by Frank Alvarado | Apr 2, 2020 | Global
This article provides an overview of policies and procedures related to the novel coronavirus/COVID-19 outbreak in various countries, as of late March. The article includes brief updates on European Union Member States and the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico,...
by James Pinedo | Mar 27, 2020 | Investor Visas
Summary of the Issue – After much lobbying, the Belgian government is taking actions to reform the single permit application process with the goal of improving processing timeframes. Implemented on January 1, 2019, the single permit application allows non-EU...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 23, 2020 | Global
Summary Until June 30, 2020, travel to Canada will be restricted for all foreign nationals coming from any country other than the United States (U.S.). Other restrictions apply to those travelling from the U.S. These new restrictions prohibit any foreign...
by James Pinedo | Mar 13, 2020 | Investor Visas
About the Diversity Lottery: Section 203(c) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides for a class of immigrants known as “diversity immigrants” from countries with historically low rates of immigration to the United States. For Fiscal Year...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 10, 2020 | Global
Current COVID-19 Epidemiology Statistics – Italy Infected 10,149 Deaths 631 Updates: March 10 –Airlines Ryanair, Wizz Air, and British Airlines, have suspended all domestic and international flights. March 10 – Slovenia is expected to close its...
by James Pinedo | Mar 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett and Colin Gallagher Due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and the current political regime’s anti-immigration rhetoric, the ability to expedite the adjudication of an application or petition for an immigration benefit is more important...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 5, 2020 | Global
Background on the COVID-19 Illness & Symptoms Nearly 100,000 cases & 3,000 COVID-19 deaths have been reported across 79 countries and territories. The World Health Organization (WHO) considers COVID-19 a “Public Health Emergency of International Concern.”...
by Frank Alvarado | Mar 3, 2020 | Global
Background: While Brexit occurred on January 31, 2020, there will be no practical changes to immigration until January 1, 2021. Still, there are important steps EU citizens need to take in order to secure their immigration status. Next Steps: European employees and...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 26, 2020 | Global
Summary of the Issue – After much lobbying, the Belgian government is taking actions to reform the single permit application process with the goal of improving processing timeframes. Implemented on January 1, 2019, the single permit application allows non-EU employees...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 21, 2020 | Global
As of 2020, The Migration Directorate (MD) had announced on its website that it would not consider renewals of Touristic Residence Permits (RP) that had been issued for one year. According to reports, there may be possible discretionary actions to limit applicability...
by James Pinedo | Feb 20, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett Mr. Charlie Oppenheim, Chief of the Visa Control and Reporting Division within the U.S. Department of State (“DOS”), recently noted that the Final Action Date (“FAD”) for China employment-based first-preference (“EB-1”) will become current...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 19, 2020 | Global
Quota for engaging foreign labour in 2020 is approved. The Russian government has approved the quota for engaging foreign labor in 2020, set at 104,993 foreign nationals, a decrease from 2019, when the quota was 144,583. Croatia—simplification of visa formalities. The...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 19, 2020 | Global
It’s happened: The United Kingdom (UK) officially left the European Union (EU) on January 31, 2020. Now what? What does this mean for people moving to and from the UK? Nothing for now. We are in a transition period until at least December 31, 2020. During the...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 17, 2020 | Global
Summary of the Issue: An agreement with the Republic of Tajikistan regarding organized recruitment of Tajik citizens for temporary work in Russia has been ratified. Federal law has ratified an agreement between the governments of the Russian Federation and the...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 13, 2020 | Global
The Republic of Turkey has released updated minimum salary requirements for 2020. As of January 1, 2020, the amounts are: Gross minimum monthly wage: 2.943,00 Turkish Lira Net minimum monthly wage: 2.324,70 Turkish Lira * 1 TL = 0.17 $USD (approx. January 2020) Aside...
by James Pinedo | Feb 13, 2020 | Investor Visas
On December 2, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed its version of H.R. 1044, the “Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020.” The Senate version of the bill now returns to the U.S. House of Representatives. If the Senate version passes in the House and is signed into...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 13, 2020 | Global
Summary of the Issue: In recent times, there has been much confusion with respect to the renewal of Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards. Airlines have on many occasions not allowed passengers to board flights to India if their OCI cards were not renewed when...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 11, 2020 | Global
Colombian Nationality for Venezuelan Minors In accordance with the provisions of article 96 of the Colombian Constitution, nationals by birth are nationals of Colombia when the father or mother was a Colombian citizen or national or, being the child of foreign...
