Weekly Immigration Update: July 12-18, 2019

In immigration news this week:

United States: In August, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Final Action dates listed in the State Department's August Visa Bulletin. Netherlands: Stricter employment rules for posted workers are forthcoming. Philippines: The Departments of Labor and Employment and Justice and Bureau of Immigration's joint guidelines clarifying rules on issuance of work authorization to foreign nationals took effect on July 16. Ireland: The High Court has ruled that foreign nationals cannot be granted Irish citizenship by naturalization if they have left Ireland for even one day in the 12 months prior to their application. South Africa: A new directive allows foreign spouses and children of South African citizens and permanent residents to change their immigration status without leaving South Africa or obtaining a special government waiver. These items and other news from Australia, China, Egypt, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Oman, Singapore, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Venezuela follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

Ireland, July 18, 2019

New Limit on Absences for Citizenship

The High Court of Ireland has ruled that foreign nationals cannot be granted Irish citizenship by naturalization if they have left Ireland for even one day in the 12 months prior to their application. The ruling could be overturned on appeal, but this might be a lengthy process. Further, there is no confirmation at this stage as to whether the parties will appeal the judgment. Applicants with pending applications for Irish citizenship might have their applications refused if they have spent one day or more outside Ireland in the 12 months prior to their application. Pending applications might alternatively be put on hold if an appeal is submitted or if emergency legislation is considered. The government has not yet indicated how it intends to handle pending applications. Applicants for Irish citizenship based on Irish ancestry (Foreign Birth Registration) are not affected by this ruling as they are not required to prove residence. To view entire article, click here.

Netherlands, July 17, 2019

Stricter Employment Rules for Posted Workers Forthcoming Employers posting workers in the Netherlands will need to file an online notification before the foreign national commences work in the Netherlands, once the government launches an online system later this year. Additional employment protections for posted workers on long-term assignments in the Netherlands are expected to take effect July 30, 2020. To view entire article, click here.

United States, July 16, 2019

August Visa Bulletin Update: USCIS to Honor Final Action Dates Next Month In August, USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment applications from foreign nationals with a priority date that is earlier than the Final Action dates listed in the State Department's August Visa Bulletin.

To view entire article, click here.

Saudi Arabia, July 16, 2019

Private Sector Employers Must Upload Employees' Contracts to Electronic Portal The Ministry of Labor and Social Development (MLSD) in Saudi Arabia has implemented a law requiring private sector employers to upload their entire workforce's employment contracts to the General Organization for Social Insurance's (GOSI) electronic portal...