EIG COVID-19 Update | October 7, 2020

With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. Our goal is for these updates to make sense of the changes happening across the world. Please share these updates with your colleagues who may find this information helpful, too.

H-1B Visa Program Update | On Tuesday, the Trump Administration announced two rule changes that will significantly reshape the H-1B specialty occupation visa program. Read the summary and analysis from Erickson Immigration Group.

 

International Updates

Italy | The government has extended the state of emergency until January 31 and made it mandatory to wear face masks outdoors. The state of emergency, which has been in place since March, was supposed to expire in mid-October.
Case Update: 2,677 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/7 4:00 PM CEST

New Zealand | From October 16, New Zealand passport holders can enter New South Wales and the Northern Territory. A travel exemption is not required. Mandatory quarantine is waived. However, checks are made on arrival, and those persons exhibiting symptoms may be directed to a quarantine facility.
Case Update: 3 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/7 4:00 PM CEST

The United Arab Emirates | As announced via Twitter, the UAE is again granting work permits for foreign nationals employed by government and semi-government entities, and entry permits for domestic workers.
Case Update: 1,061 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/7 4:00 PM CEST

 

In this week’s Immigration Nerds podcast, Erickson Immigration Group’s Managing Director, Hiba Anver joins to talk about the October Visa Bulletin.

The United States only makes a certain number of green cards available per year, per country of origin. This policy creates significant backlogs for certain groups. Today, the number of total green cards issued each year is limited to 140,000. There are currently over 700,000 Indian workers waiting in a green card “line” that is likely to stretch for decades.

In the October visa bulletin, USCIS confirmed that it would start to accept applications under Chart B and the State Department advanced the priority dates for EB-2 and EB-3 India from 2010 to 2015, making thousands of Indian foreign nationals now eligible to submit their adjustment of status application that would not have otherwise been eligible to file for several more years.

 

We will continue to send updates daily or as more COVID-19-related news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or in past updates or want to hear more about a different topic, just reply to let us know. If you have specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.