UK Introduces Formal Ukraine Visa Schemes
In response to the Russian invasion and ongoing crisis in the Ukraine, the Home Office of the United Kingdom (UK) formally incorporated three new visa routes for Ukrainians into the UK’s Immigration Rules. The new set of rules – ‘Appendix Ukraine Scheme’ – is...
Israel Introduces Fast Track for Ukrainian and Russian Refugee Tech Workers
Beginning March 29, 2022, the Israel Population and Immigration Authority is offering an expedited “green track” for refugees from Ukraine and Russia employed by Israeli technology companies. This track is available whether or not the refugees are entitled to...
Canada Introduces Extended Temporary Visitor Option for Ukrainians
The Government of Canada has announced the new Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program to support the people of Ukraine. This relief measure provides a free, extended temporary stay to Ukrainians—and their dependent family members—allowing...
U.S. Offers Temporary Protected Status to Afghans
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced this week that foreign nationals from Afghanistan who have been living in the U.S. since March 15, 2022, are eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months. The designation of Afghanistan for TPS is...
U.S. Offers Temporary Protected Status to Ukrainians
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced today that Ukrainians living in the U.S. since March 1 will be eligible for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for 18 months due to the humanitarian crisis caused by the Russian invasion. The TPS program provides...
Taiwan Loosens Travel and Quarantine Restrictions
The Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) of Taiwan will allow foreign business travelers to enter the country beginning next week. The new policies outlined below take effect on 07 March 2022, beginning at 00:00 hours (based on the local time at the airport of...
Proof of Vaccination Now Required of Essential Travelers at U.S. Land Borders
Effective January 22, 2022, all noncitizen, non-LPR (Legal Permanent Resident) travelers seeking to cross the northern or southern land border (including ferry ports) into the U.S. must present proof that they are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, even if they...
DHS Expands Degree Fields Eligible for STEM OPT
On January 21, 2022, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published an updated list of STEM Designated Degree Programs. This updated added 22 new programs that are considered part of the STEM fields—science, technology,...
U.S. Imposes Entry Ban on Travelers from Certain African Countries
On November 26, 2021, President Biden signed a Presidential Proclamation (PP) related to the ongoing national emergency caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization recently identified a new variant of concern known as Omicron, first detected in...
Certain H-4, E, and L Nonimmigrant Spouses Now Qualify for Automatic EAD Extension of Up To 180 Days
On November 10, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) settled a lawsuit brought by the H-4 and L-2 spouses of certain H-1B and L-1 nonimmigrant workers. The plaintiff spouses experienced lengthy delays in the adjudication of their Employment Authorization...