On July 15, 2015, the Malaysian Expatriate Services Division (ESD) implemented a new work authorization category, the Employment Pass III (EPIII). The EPIII category is intended for foreign nationals who will earn less than MYR 5,000.00 per month, the current minimum salary amount for regular Employment Pass (EP) applications. To […]
Schengen Area — Bilateral Visa Waiver Agreements Signed with Eight Additional Countries
21 Jul
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
The European Union has recently signed visa waiver agreements with Timor Leste (East Timor), the Caribbean countries of St. Lucia, Dominica, Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, and the Oceanic countries of Samoa and Vanuatu. The agreements will now allow nationals of the countries to enter the […]
Visa Bulletin Forecast Indicates Future Progress for EB-3 China
20 Jul
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
Following publication of the August Visa Bulletin that revealed a stunning 7 year retrogression in visa availability under the Employment-based, Third (EB-3) preference category for applicants born in China, Department of State officials have provided additional information to clarify why the retrogression was so significant, and why it may not […]
CBP to Collect Biometric Departure Data from Select Foreign Nationals
14 Jul
by Foster, on Immigration Updates
On July 14, 2015, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the agency will begin collecting biometric data from select foreign nationals departing the United States. The new initiative, which is scheduled to run through at least June 2016, is being implemented first at the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport […]