Global Immigration Update – February 24, 2016

Read the latest updates on global immigration.

Source: Fragomen Worldwide

In United States immigration news, in April, USCIS will only accept employment-based adjustment applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is current for final action under the State Department’s April Visa Bulletin.

The United Kingdom’s Parliament is considering a law that would increase immigration fees for applications submitted on or after March 18, 2016 and introduce a GBP 25 fee for rejected applications.  The increase is meant to ensure that by 2020, the UK immigration system is self funded.

In India, all hotels and landlords across the country may soon be required to report occupancy of foreign guests and tenants to local police stations, Foreigners’ Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) and Foreigners’ Registration Offices (FRO) through a form called “Form C”, similar to the practice already in effect in some Indian cities.

The Belgium labour inspectorate has increased inspections of Belgian companies that employ foreign nationals in information technology positions.  The focus has been on companies that may have hired Indian nationals to replace local workers.

Starting March 15, 2016, the Australian government will trial a priority processing service for Chinese nationals applying for Subclass 600 (Visitor) visas in the Tourist and Business Visitor streams for an additional fee of AUD 1,000.  If the trial is successful, priority processing may be expanded to applicants from other countries.