Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
United States: Update for eligible Lebanese nationals with F-1 status
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is temporarily lifting specific regulatory requirements for F-1 non-immigrant students from Lebanon facing severe economic hardship due to the ongoing crisis in their country. This relief allows these students, who are in lawful F-1 status, to request employment authorization, work more hours while school is in session, and reduce their course load, all while maintaining their F-1 status.
This notice is specifically for F-1 non-immigrant students who fulfil all of the following criteria:
- Are citizens of Lebanon, regardless of their country of birth, or individuals without nationality who last habitually resided in Lebanon.
- Were lawfully present in the United States on November 27, 2024, in F-1 non-immigrant status under section 101(a)(15)(F)(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(15)(F)(i).
- Are enrolled in an academic institution certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) for F-1 non-immigrant student enrolment.
- Are currently maintaining F-1 non-immigrant status.
- Are experiencing severe economic hardship directly due to the ongoing crisis in Lebanon
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Federal Register
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Asia-Pacific
Australia: National Innovation Visa (NIV)
The Government will implement a new National Innovation visa (NIV) (Subclass 858) with effect from December 6, 2024.
The key criteria of this visa will be:
- Applications will be by invitation only
- The Candidate must be nominated
- The Candidate must be proficient in functional English
- The programme is aimed at high calibre talent such as :
- Global researchers and thought leaders e.g. published in leading journals, high levels of publications and citations, recipients of top of field awards
- Entrepreneurs both established and emerging with lessons taken from successful State and Territory led initiatives
- Innovation Investors with a focus on the quality of investment, and not just thresholds
The advantages of the new visa are:
- This visa subclass is an application for permanent residence
- Candidate can be any age on date of application
- There are no specific occupation restrictions.
The NIV will replace existing business migration schemes and the Global Talent visa, making it easier for high caliber individuals to bring their skills, knowledge and investments to Australia.
This summary has been prepared using information from the Department of Home Affairs
Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL)
On December 3, 2024, the Australian Government announced the release of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL). This new list replaces the outdated and complex occupation lists previously used in the temporary skilled visa program. The CSOL, developed through labour market analysis and consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA), consolidates access to temporary skilled migration for 456 occupations. It will be used for the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa and the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.
This summary has been prepared using information from the Department of Home Affairs
Skills in Demand (SID) Visa
On December 3, 2024, the Australian Department of Home Affairs announced a major reform to the skilled migration landscape—introducing the new Skills in Demand Visa (SID Visa), which will replace the current Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa. The Department of Home Affairs is currently finalising details, with the official commencement planned for December 7, 2024. The visa is designed to address Australia’s labour market needs across a broad range of industries and sectors. The aim is to provide more flexibility to skilled workers and employers. All pathways of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa have a clear route to permanent residency in Australia via the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa.
It will consist of three streams:
- Specialist Skills Stream
- It targets highly specialised skills in any occupation except trades, machinery operation, driving, and labour.
- It features no occupation list.
- Minimum salary requirement is $135,000 per year.
- Core Skills Stream
- Only occupations on this list will be able to access this stream.
- Minimum salary requirement is likely to be same or more than Temporary Skilled Migrant Threshold (TSMIT) of AUD 73,500.
- Labour Agreement Stream
- This is the same as the existing labour agreement stream for the subclass 482 visa.
- Companies or existing industries will have to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the Department of Home Affairs to sponsor workers in specific occupations. The salary, experience and English requirements can vary across agreements
This summary was prepared using information obtained from our local office.
China: Extension of visa-free entry policy
Chinese officials have announced an additional extension of their visa-free policy to include nine countries, along with an update to the duration of stay. The visa exemption will be applied to passport holders of: Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Montenegro, Northern Macedonia, Malta, Estonia, Latvia and Japan. Furthermore, as of November 30, 2024, visa-free stays in China are extended to 30 days, instead of the current 15.
This summary has been prepared using information from the Visasnews
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Beynon (Regional Immigration Manager, APAC) and Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
South Africa: Extension of the validity of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs)
The Minister of Home Affairs has decided to extend the validity of Zimbabwean Exemption Permits (ZEPs) for Zimbabwean nationals until November 28, 2025. This extension provides ZEP holders additional time to apply for mainstream visas or waivers as outlined in the Immigration Act and Regulations, or to leave the country.
Additionally, the Immigration Advisory Board (IAB) is being reactivated. Its first task will be to consider, advise, and implement steps required to comply with the High Court’s order regarding the future of the ZEP.
To allow the IAB sufficient time to perform its duties and ensure a fair process, the Minister has directed the following:
- Existing ZEPs will remain valid for the next 12 months.
- No ZEP holder may be arrested, ordered to depart, detained for deportation, or deported under section 34 of the Immigration Act for not having a valid exemption certificate.
- ZEP holders may enter or depart from South Africa under section 9 of the Immigration Act and the Immigration Regulationsof 2014, provided they meet all other entry and departure requirements, except for having a valid visa in their passport.
- ZEP holders are not required to produce a valid exemption certificate, visa, or authorization letter to remain in the Republic when applying for any temporary sojourn visa under section 10(2) of the Immigration Act.
This summary was prepared using information from our local service partners.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Sabrina Crespo (Team Leader, EMEA) and Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
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