01/05/2011

Global Immigration Alert - South Korea: Changes to Streamline the Employment Visa Process

Korea recently implemented two changes that will streamline procedures for foreign nationals:

1) Certain foreign workers no longer need to obtain advance approval before changing their place of employment; and
2) Re-entry permits requirements are waived for holders of long-term work visas who depart Korea for less than one year.

Reporting Requirements Simplified

Effective January 1, 2011, certain foreign nationals who wish to add to or...

12/21/2010

Immigration Practice Head to Speak at City Bar CLE Event

On Thursday, January 13, 2011 from 6:00 to 8:15 the New York City Bar Center for CLE will be hosting a program entitled, Immigration Law in the Workplace: the Current Compliance Landscape. There will be three lectures that describe U.S. immigration worksite compliance. Please see the full agenda.

Gibney Immigration Partner, Stephen J.O. Maltby, will be speaking during a session entitled, "How to Represent Your Client During a Government...

12/14/2010

Global Immigration Alert: Costa Rica - Expansion of Entry Visa Exemption for Non-Residents

On December 22, 2010 the General Office of Migration of Costa Rica, Direccion General de Migracion y Extrajeri (DBME), announced that certain foreign nationals who previously required a visa to enter Costa Rica are now exempt provided that they hold valid tourist, business, or crewmember visas issued by Japan or South Korea. The Japanese or South Korean visa must be endorsed in the foreign national’s passport and must be valid for a minimum...

12/13/2010

Immigration Alert: January 2011 U.S. Visa Bulletin Released

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the January 2011 Visa Bulletin. Priority cut-off dates for the most common employment-based categories are provided below.

Employment-based, first preference (EB-1):

All foreign nationals:  Current
“Current” means that immigrant visa numbers are immediately available for all priority dates within the designated preference category. 

Employment-based, second preference (EB-2):

Worldwide:...

12/10/2010

Global Immigration Alert - Hong Kong: Procedural Changes Affecting Foreign National Residents

On December 6, 2010, Hong Kong introduced two optional procedures for foreign nationals residing in Hong Kong, outlined below.

Registration of Outbound Travel Information 

The government launched the Registration of Outbound Travel Information (ROTI) service to facilitate communication and assistance for foreign nationals in the event of an emergency. Hong Kong residents can register their contact details and itineraries for travel outside...