Immigration Blog

Due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns, the current North American border closure will be extended for another month through February 21, 2021.

President Joe Biden sent an extensive immigration reform bill to Congress today shortly after his inauguration. Additionally, he signed a series of executive orders related to immigration.

The incoming Biden administration has announced plans to block President Trump’s executive order ending COVID-19 travel bans in Europe and Brazil.

On January 15, 2021, the DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification (OFLC) published an updated H-1B program bulletin revising its Labor Condition Application (LCA) filing.

On January 14, 2021, former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf issued a memo ratifying several measures.

The Government of the UAE has introduced a COVID-19 travel pass for certain travelers flying from Abu Dhabi. The travel pass will permit passengers with negative COVID-19 test results to fly.

The CDC issued an Order on Jan. 12, 2021 requiring all inbound travelers to the U.S. to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test or documentation of having recovered from COVID-19 beginning Jan. 26.

The DOL published the H-1B Prevailing Wage Final Rule in the Federal Register on Jan. 14, 2021. The agency outlined the rule’s phased implementation plan, with new wage levels effective Jul. 1, 2021.

Following the discovery of a new COVID-19 variant in Brazil, the Government of the UK has issued a travel ban for South America and Portugal.

Envoy Global has announced a new partnership with Argo, the world’s first company to create a cutting-edge technology platform which connects visa applicants with former consular officers.

The Turkish government has issued new minimum wage requirements for foreign work permit holders.

The Croatian government has provided new guidance for UK nationals living and working in the country after December 31, 2020.

The Bulgarian government has issued additional details for UK nationals residing in the country after December 31, 2020.

The Expert Bureau will use a new online portal through the Ministry of Science and Technology’s (MOST) Service Platform to integrate processing of foreign nationals’ work permit applications.

The Irish government has introduced a new post-Brexit residence process for non-EEA family members of UK nationals.

Phishing attempts are serious security concerns and unfortunately, foreign national students, scholars and employees are often the target of these attempts and other security risks.

On Jan. 12, 2021, the DOL announced that it will issue a Final Rule to increase and reform prevailing wages for foreign worker programs on Jan. 14, 2021, to be implemented in 60 days.

By January 29, 2021, employers must submit quarterly notifications on the salaries that they paid to highly qualified specialists (HQS) in the fourth quarter of 2020.

In accordance with governmental decree No. 3675-p, family members of HQS employees may enter Russia.

The Portuguese government has increased minimum wage levels nationwide for 2021. Minimum wage levels will increase to EUR 665 per month.