Malaysia: Digital Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) Application Option
Malaysia has introduced a digital option for foreign nationals to apply for a Multiple Entry Visa (MEV) for business, tourism and medical purposes.
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United Arab Emirates: Re-Entry Permit Service for Residents with Canceled Residency
The UAE has launched a new service for residents with cancelled residency who left the country for study, work, or medical reasons for over 6 months.
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China: Reopening of U.S. Visa Application Offices
China has reopened select visa offices in the U.S. (Los Angeles, Washington D.C, Chicago, San Francisco and New York).
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Israel: Digital B-1 Work Permit Issuance
The government of Israel introduced new regulations that will allow the government to issue digital B-1 work visa types.
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Ireland: Extension to the U.S. Ireland Working Holiday Scheme
Ireland extended the U.S.-Ireland Working Holiday program, allowing students or recent graduates from both countries to live and work in either country.
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Canada: Extension of Permanent Resident Program for Certain Construction Workers
Canada extended and expanded a permanent resident program for construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area.
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Colombia: New Temporary Protection Permit for Venezuelan Nationals
Colombia introduced a new Temporary Protection Permit (PPT) certificate for select nationals of Venezuela, who have previously submitted and received a notice of an approved PPT form.
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Qatar: Mandatory Health Insurance Requirements for Visitor Visas
Qatar will implement the mandatory Health Insurance Scheme on Feb 1, 2023, which will require all visitors to obtain insurance from a Qatari-registered company.
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Vietnam: Reduced Permanent Residence Fees for Applications Submitted Online
Vietnam will reduce fees for permanent residency registration by 50% on Feb 5, 2023, for applications through the online public service portal.
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India: U.S. Missions Launch Additional Interview Days for Certain Visitor Visa Applications
The U.S. Missions in India launched special Saturday visa interviews to reduce wait times for first-time applicants, with some U.S. embassies expanding consular operations.
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Russia: Mutual Visa Recognition Agreement with Belarus
Russia and Belarus have signed a mutual visa recognition agreement that will enter into force on 1 February 2023.
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Germany: Immigration Law Updates for 2023
Germany relaxed immigration laws by lowering language requirements for spouses of third-country workers and simplifying residence permit application process.
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United Arab Emirates: Deadline Extended for Fixed-Term Contract Conversion
The UAE government has extended the deadline for employers to switch foreign national worker contracts from indefinite to fixed-term until December 2023.
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Initial Registration for FY 2024 H-1B Cap Season Begins March 1, 2023
USCIS has announced dates for the FY 2024 H-1B cap season. Registration begins on March 1, 2023.
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Italy: Italian Work Permit Quotas for 2023
The work permit quota in Italy for unskilled workers and startup visa applicants increased to 82,705 for 2023.
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Pakistan: Apostille Convention Signed into Force
Pakistani citizens will no longer be required to legalize documents when applying for certain immigration permissions in Hague member states who have joined the Apostille Convention.
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Canada: Passport Processing Returned to Pre-Pandemic Timeline
The government of Canada announced that the processing of passport applications has returned to the pre-pandemic timeline.
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Hong Kong: Launch of the Top Talent Pass Scheme
The authorities of Hong Kong officially launched the Top Talent Pass Scheme on 28 December 2022.
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USCIS Extends Green Card Validity for Pending Form I-751 and Form I-829 Petitioners
On Jan. 23, 2023, USCIS announced that it is extending the Green Card validity for conditional permanent residents with a pending Form I-751, provided they properly file their forms.
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Costa Rica: Adjustment to Visa Stamp Policy
The government of Costa Rica removed requirements for nationals and residents of Costa Rica to obtain an entry stamp within their passports when exiting the country.
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