U.S., China Extend Short-Term, Business Visa Validity in Reciprocal Arrangement
On November 12, 2014, the United States began issuing visas in accordance with a new reciprocal arrangement with China, the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs announced. Chinese applicants who qualify for a B nonimmigrant visa (NIV) may now be issued multiple-entry visas for up to 10 years for business and tourist travel. Qualified […]
CANADA: New
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has introduced “Express Entry,” a new permanent residence immigration process modeled on New Zealand’s and Australia’s permanent residence immigration processes. As of January 2015, applicants for Canadian permanent residence under certain economic programs who will be residing outside of the Province of Québec must apply for permanent residence via Express […]
China EB-5 Category Unavailable Through September; Current in October
The Department of State’s Visa Office announced that the China employment-based fifth (EB-5) category became unavailable on August 23, 2014, and will remain unavailable for the remainder of fiscal year 2014. The category will again become current on October 1, 2014. The Department noted that all China EB-5 applicants who have been scheduled for an […]
BRAZIL: New Norms for Family Reunion
As of September 1, 2014, immigration procedures have been simplified for (1) a request for permanent residence in Brazil for a family reunion based on Brazilian children, marriage to a Brazilian citizen, or a common-law partnership; (2) a change from temporary to permanent residence based on the Mercosul Agreement; and (3) the issuance of an […]
CANADA: New Intake Rules Have Been Announced for Québec Investor Applications
On August 27, 2014, the Québec Ministry of Immigration, Diversity and Inclusion (MIDI) announced new intake rules for the Québec Investor Program, which will reopen for a limited time from January 5–30, 2015, with a limit (quota) of 1,750 applications. The 1,750 quota will include a sub-quota of 1,200 applications from candidates from the People’s […]
BRAZIL: New Norms for Visas for Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games
On August 29, 2014, Normative Resolution No. 112 was published, amending Article 4 of Normative Resolution No. 98 of November 14, 2012. Normative Resolution 112/2014 provides that the temporary visa “item V” can be granted to foreign nationals who will enter Brazil to work exclusively in the preparation, organization, planning, and execution of the 2016 […]
FRANCE: New Law to Combat Fraud in Framework of Posted Workers
New Law to Combat Fraud in Framework of Posted Workers A posted worker is one sent by a company in one EU member state to provide short-term services for a company (client or affiliate) in the host EU member state. France’s Act of July 10, 2014 (Act) against unfair social competition translates into French law […]
Entrepreneurs & Investors: A Country-by-Country Overview
This article provides an overview of how various countries attract entrepreneurs and what types of immigrant investment programs exist. INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON CHART. The authors thank Henley & Partners for allowing ABIL to reprint its chart. Belgium Belgium does not have specific immigrant investment programs. As a general rule, entrepreneurs and investors need a permit before […]
CANADA: New Requirements for Specialized Knowledge Workers
Employers applying for work permits under the intra-company transfer stream (labour market opinion [LMO] exemption) must provide evidence of a qualifying relationship between the Canadian and foreign employer and evidence of the existence of a qualifying relationship between the employer and the temporary foreign worker. Additionally, the prospective temporary foreign worker must qualify under one […]
ABIL Members Published Country-by-Country Comparison of Immigration Benefits for Same-Sex and Domestic Partners
ABIL Members published an overview of immigration benefits for same-sex and/or domestic partners in various countries. This article provides an overview of immigration benefits available for same-sex spouses and/or domestic partners in fifteen countries. The article is limited to immigration-related issues and does not cover the situation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, or transgender individuals in […]