by Frank Alvarado | Feb 10, 2020 | Global
Overview of the Epidemic: The spread of the coronavirus spread continues, as do containment efforts worldwide. The virus has now killed more people than the SARS epidemic, with more than 800 fatalities in China and more than 37,000 cases reported worldwide, most in...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 10, 2020 | Global
The number of overall planned permanent admissions to Canada for 2020 is 340,000 people (just under one percent of the population of Canada). Of the 340,000 Canada is planning to admit, 21,000 are in the parent and grandparent sponsorship category. On December 30,...
by James Pinedo | Feb 6, 2020 | Investor Visas
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has added a new section to its Policy Manual directing immigration officers to strictly enforce existing law on the inadmissibility of any intending immigrant who is a member or affiliate of the Communist...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 4, 2020 | Global
Summary: Québec attestations are now required for permanent immigrant applicants. The Québec government says knowledge of the values it reflects is essential to an immigrant’s integration into the province. The five key principals underlying the attestation are...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 4, 2020 | Global
Summary: Belgium has announced 2020 gross salary thresholds. The gross salary thresholds for work and single permits are updated every year. The salary thresholds vary by region (Brussels, Flanders, or Wallonia) and by category of employee (e.g., highly skilled...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 4, 2020 | Global
Overview: Italian Immigration law provides for different kinds of work permits for highly skilled workers assigned to work temporarily in Italy. Under these options, workers do not become local employees but maintain an employment relationship with the home country...
by Frank Alvarado | Feb 4, 2020 | Global
Visa Length: The Indian employment visa allows for short-term employment for an organization registered in India for a duration of generally one year. Foreign technicians are eligible for a five-year employment visa. Highly skilled foreign personnel being employed in...
by James Pinedo | Jan 30, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Bernard Wolfsdorf and Joseph Barnett Communist party membership issues are becoming more common in visa cases. Our firm has seen an increase in scrutiny by U.S. consulates on this issue. It is important to focus on this issue with...
by James Pinedo | Jan 20, 2020 | Investor Visas
By: Joseph Barnett Reports from China indicate that the U.S. Consulate General in Guangzhou has recently increased immigrant visa denials based on INA Section 212(a)(3)(D) related to membership in the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), despite the fact that such...
by James Pinedo | Jan 10, 2020 | Investor Visas
As part of a continued chilling of relations between the United States and China under the Trump administration, on December 4, 2020, the Department of State announced several new restrictions on Chinese Communist Party members, including: New rules limiting the...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 30, 2019 | Global
Short Term Assignment Update The Israeli Ministry of Interior advised that all short-term assignments will be limited to not more than 90 days within a 180 day period. The short-term visa categories affected by this change are the following: Short Expert...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 26, 2019 | Global
The EU Withdrawal Agreement Bill, paving the way for the United Kingdom to leave the European Union on January 31, 2020, has been passed by the new UK Parliament. Although the Bill will now be subjected to further scrutiny in Parliament, the government is intent on...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 25, 2019 | Global
Foreign nationals who qualify for Category A (highly-skilled workers) of the unified work permit system and who are seeking employment with a company in Shanghai registered with the Expert Bureau in the municipal talent center of MeiYuan Road can now apply for a work...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 24, 2019 | Global
The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) will introduce a new permanent residence pilot program, entitled the Regional Immigration Pilot, in early 2020, which will set aside 150 nominations for permanent residence in the Employer Job Offer stream for foreign...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 24, 2019 | Global
This article discusses Brexit-related practical tips for United Kingdom (UK) nationals traveling to the European Union (EU). The issues that UK national employees who travel to the EU as business visitors after a no-deal outcome will need to consider are: 1.Check...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 23, 2019 | Global
Posted worker notifications will be mandatory as of March 1, 2020, which will require employers in the Netherlands to file an online notification before the posted worker commences work in the Netherlands. Notification Requirements The Ministry of SZW will launch...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 22, 2019 | Global
Employers should ensure that foreign national employees or assignees in the Philippines fulfill the annual reporting requirement by February 29, 2020 (unless exempt from holding the ACR I-Card). Who Needs To Report? All foreign nationals holding, or in the process of...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 21, 2019 | Global
In Colombia, the immigration law establishes that foreign individuals who work remotely and enter into a local agreement must apply for a visa, regardless of whether they enter Colombia physically. Likewise and according to Decree 1067 of 2015, any natural or legal...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 20, 2019 | Global
Effective February 1, 2020, the national minimum hourly salary will increase to EUR 10.10, up 3.06 percent from last year. For a 40-hour work week, this equals approximately EUR 404 per week/ EUR 21,008 per year. What Does this Mean? Existing, initial and renewal...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 19, 2019 | Global
Effective January 1, 2020, changes will take place in the Irish Employment Permit System to address immediate labor shortages in key sectors such as hospitality, construction, health and road haulage. What Are the Changes? All chef grades are now eligible for an...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 18, 2019 | Global
The Department of Immigration has announced that a new Labour Agreement template for the Horticulture Industry will be available from January 1, 2020. This agreement will allow Australian employers to sponsor skilled and semi-skilled workers for the following visas:...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 17, 2019 | Global
Effective January 1, 2020, the minimum wage in France will increase to EUR 10.15 per hour (EUR 1,539.42 per month or EUR 18,473.04 per year), a .91 percent increase from last year’s minimum wage. Benefits and allowances. As before, benefits and allowances may only be...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 16, 2019 | Global
Please note that the contents of this article should serve as general guidelines and should not be taken as legal advice. Various factors play a role in making the final determination of the proper immigration procedure to each country. Please contact your WR...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 16, 2019 | Global
The amended Schengen visa code will come into effect on February 2, 2020. Changes include more flexible procedures, longer visa validity periods, and higher fees. What Are the Changes? More Flexible Procedures: Travelers on Schengen visas will enjoy some more flexible...
by Frank Alvarado | Dec 12, 2019 | Global
SAUDI ARABIA: Ministry of Labor Cancels Yellow Nitaqat Band Effective 26 January 2020, the Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) has announced it will cancel the yellow band in its Saudization program, Nitaqat. Companies currently in the yellow band will be...
