Author Archives: ABIL

News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 7, No. 2B • February 15, 2011

Headlines: 1. USCIS Issues Work Authorization and Advance Parole on Single Card for Adjustment Applicants – The card will serve as both an employment authorization and advance parole document. 2. Export Controls Attestation Requirement Starts February 20 – As of February 20, 2011, employers must fill out the export controls attestation in Part 6 of […]

AUSTRALIA: Floods in Australia

The Federal Government announced on January 27, 2011, that it will fast-track 457 visa processing for workers engaged on rebuilding work in the wake of the devastating Queensland floods. 457 visa holders and eligibility for Disaster Income Recovery Subsidy Centrelink is an Australian Government statutory agency that delivers a range of Commonwealth services to the […]

News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 7, No. 2A • February 01, 2011

Headlines: 1. H-1B Cap Reached for FY 2011 – January 26, 2011, is the “final receipt date” for new H-1B specialty occupation petitions requesting an employment start date in FY 2011. 2. ICE Announces New I-9 Compliance Inspection Center, Partnership With Tyson Foods; Audits Increase – Fifteen additional auditors will focus their efforts on major […]

SOUTH AFRICA: Transferring Employees and Their Families to South Africa

A significant amendment to the law is expected in the next few months that will affect transferring employees and their families to South Africa. Transferring Employees and Their Families to South Africa Under current South African immigration law, a company can transfer or deploy one or more of its employees to a company that is […]

INDIA: Tightening of In-Country Compliance and Registration Requirements

Under the Indian Bureau of Immigration’s general policy, all foreign nationals who arrive on a visa valid for more than 180 days and who expect to remain in India for more than 180 consecutive days during a single visit or stay must register at the designated registration office in the place of residence. Until recently, […]

HONG KONG: Hong Kong made changes to Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)

The Hong Kong Capital Investment Entrant Scheme has been extremely popular. Successful applicants can benefit from one of the premier financial centers of the world with a robust economy and a low, simple and predictable tax regime. Initially launched by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) government in October 2003 to attract investments from […]

AUSTRALIA: Foreign Investment Review Board (FIRB) crackdowns on purchase of homes in Australia by certain temporary visa holders

Increased FIRB screening and compliance measures, including a hotline and a pilot monitoring system, have been introduced to ensure that temporary visa holders comply with FIRB requirements. Statistics show 15 real estate transactions were prevented by FIRB and a further 73 proposed residential real estate purchases have been voluntarily withdrawn in the last 9 months.

News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 7, No. 1B • January 15, 2011

Headlines: 1. USCIS Revises I-9 Manual for Employers – The handbook includes expanded guidance on lawful permanent residents, refugees and asylees, and acceptable documents for employees in TPS. 2. E-Verify Update: USCIS Updates Web Interface, Launches Newsletter; House Hearings Soon – USCIS has made changes to its E-Verify Web interface, and has launched a newsletter […]

EB-5 & Other Investor News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 1, No. 1 • January 01, 2011

Headlines: 1. USCIS Holds Quarterly Stakeholders Meeting – As part of a quarterly EB-5 stakeholders call, USCIS released statistics on usage of the EB-5 program for FY 2010 and other information. 2. USCIS Confirms Indirect Job Creation Can Occur Outside Regional Center Boundaries – USCIS recently agreed to count jobs indirectly created outside the geographical […]

News from the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers Vol. 7, No. 1A • January 01, 2011

Headlines: 1. DREAM Act Fails in Senate – Prospects are dim for further developments in the near future, although Democrats vowed to push for the legislation and to include it in any comprehensive immigration reform bill. 2. USCIS Delays Deemed Export Attestation on New I-129 – The new edition of Form I-129, Petition for a […]