11/22/2011

Global Immigration Alert - France: Introduction of Blue Card

On May 25, 2009, the European Union passed the EU Blue Card Directive (Council Directive 2009/50/EC) whereby 24 participating countries in the European Union agreed to implement the Blue Card in an effort to attract highly skilled non-EU citizens by facilitating employment and long-term residence. The Directive was scheduled to be implemented by member states in June 2011. However, several member states have yet to adopt and implement the...

11/21/2011

Global Immigration Alert: Year End Consular Closings

The holiday season is a hectic time for international travel. Consulates are exceptionally busy due to the high volume of visa applicants and offices frequently close during home country and local holidays. We encourage corporate HR personnel, business travelers and foreign nationals to take proactive steps to plan ahead for visa issuance prior to travel.

Holidays and closures should be noted for the following foreign consulates in the...

11/14/2011

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

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has published the December 2011 Visa Bulletin. The priority cut-off dates for China and India in the employment-based, second preference (EB-2) category advanced more than four months, to March 15, 2008. Foreign nationals having a priority date before the established cut-off date are eligible to file immigrant visa or adjustment of status applications. As a result of this advancement, many foreign nationals...

11/07/2011

Immigration Alert: Holiday Travel Reminders for International Travelers

The holiday season is a hectic time for international travel. Consulates, airports, and ports of entry are exceptionally busy due to the higher volume of travelers and visa applicants. We encourage corporate HR personnel, business travelers, and foreign nationals to take proactive steps and plan ahead prior to travel.

Here are a few key points to remember:

Passports: All travelers, including U.S. and Canadian citizens, should confirm the...

10/27/2011

Immigration Alert: H-1B Master's Cap Reached

U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that as of October 21, 2011, the U.S. Master’s H-1B Cap of 20,000 visas has been reached for fiscal year (FY) 2012, which runs from October 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012. Going forward, H-1B petitions filed for individuals holding a U.S. Master’s degree will be counted against the H-1B Regular Cap. USCIS also announced that, to date, 46,200 H-1B petitions have been filed under the...