May 15, 2013 - Markup for proposed amendments to the Senate Gang of Eight’s comprehensive immigration reform legislation (S. 744, The Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013) began last week in the Senate Judiciary Committee. The committee first examined Title I of the bill, dealing with border security issues. Yesterday, the committee turned to Title IV, the part of the bill regarding non-immigrant issues, which includes high-skilled provisions.

Several key high-skilled amendments were proposed, debated, and voted upon during yesterday’s meeting. Learn More...

April 29, 2013 – As of May 16, the mutual visa suppression agreement will be effective between Brazil and Mexico. Under this agreement, nationals from both countries are entitled to short-term business and tourist trips without requiring visas.

However, immigration officials may demand other documentation. Learn More...

May 3, 2013 - On April 24, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a new immigration law that is expected to make significant changes to the Colombian visa system. The law, Decree 834 of 2013, is scheduled to come into effect on June 24.

Although details are not yet available, changes are expected. Learn More...

May 15, 2013 - Citizenship and Immigration Canada has changed and upgraded its online application system. As a result, there are new document requirements in effect for online work permit extensions.

Learn More...

May 15, 2013 - The South African government has amended the Immigration Act to extend the maximum duration of intra-company transfer (ICT) work permits. Instead of 24 months, the permits will last 48 months. However, the new regulations have yet to be finalized and published. It is unknown when they will go into effect.

In the meantime, as a transitional measure, the Department of Home Affairs is allowing some foreign workers to apply for general work permit status instead. Learn More...

15 May 2013 - The Home Office has announced that a same-day visa processing service is now available in India, the first country to receive this service. The “super priority” service launched in Delhi and Mumbai on 15 May and is expected to be offered in Chennai soon. The United Kingdom government aims to process all super priority applications within the same day, but there is no guarantee of a same-day decision.

To maximize the chance of a visa being issued on the same day, applicants should schedule and attend an appointment at the visa application centre between 8:00 and 9:30 that morning. Learn More...

May 1, 2013 - All Pakistani and Afghan nationals are being refused entry into and transit through Iraq in the country’s three major airports: Baghdad International Airport, Basra International Airport and Al Najaf International Airport.

According to the International Air Transport Association on April 24, entry and transit are being refused despite any visas, residence permits or work contract letters held by nationals of the two countries. Learn More...

Jan. 31, 2013 - Foreigners Regional Registration Offices in Kochi and Hyderabad now require proof that employers have conducted local market searches for Indian workers to fill a position before hiring a foreign worker. A foreign worker must provide proof of a local labor market search when registering at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office. Although this has not been formally announced as a requirement, if the worker cannot furnish proof, his or her application is rejected. Sources indicate that a newspaper advertisement or print-out of an online advertisement may be acceptable as proof of a local market search.

BAL will continue to monitor the situation and provide further information when it becomes available. Learn More...

May 13, 2013 - On May 1, a new labor law came into effect, significantly impacting work permits. Its main impact so far has been to shorten the maximum duration of work permits from 36 months to 24 months. At the current time, most other changes described by the law have not yet been implemented by provincial labor departments. Parts of the new law have yet to be finalized and approved.

The law will likely bring changes... Learn More...

15 May 2013 - On 14 May, the Australian government handed down their budget for the 2013-2014 fiscal year.

This budget includes important immigration announcements. Learn More...