Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
United States: USCIS reaches H-2B cap for second half of fiscal year 2024 and announces filing dates for the second half of fiscal year 2024 supplemental visas
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has reached the H-2B visa cap for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2024. They have announced filing dates for supplemental H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2024 under the FY 2024 H-2B supplemental visa temporary final rule.
USCIS received enough petitions for the additional 20,716 H-2B for returning workers for the first half of FY 2024. The final receipt date for new cap-subject H-2B worker petitions was March 7, 2024, for employment start dates on or after April 1, 2024. USCIS will reject new cap-subject petitions received after this date. They are still accepting petitions exempt from the cap, including extensions for the current H-2B workers and certain other categories.
Filing dates for the second half of FY 2024 supplemental visas vary based on nationality and whether the workers are returning. USCIS will begin accepting petitions on March 22, 2024, for employers seeking workers from specific countries and on April 22, 2024, for returning workers for different time periods. USCIS will not accept petitions after September 16, 2024, or after the cap is reached.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
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) and Margarida Luis (Immigration coordinator, AMER).
Asia-Pacific
Singapore: Changes to the minimum monthly salary rates, starting January 1, 2026
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has recently announced changes to the Employment Pass (EP) Qualifying Salary for both new and renewal applications to align with the wages of top local Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMETs). Starting from January 1, 2025, the minimum qualifying salary for new EP applications will increase from SGD 5,500 to SGD 6,200. This adjustment will be gradually applied to renewal EP applications by January 1, 2026, with the minimum salary increasing further based on the applicant’s age.
The EP eligibility requirements remain the same, consisting of two stages: Stage 1, focusing on the EP Qualifying Salary, and Stage 2, involving the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) score points.
Attached is Table for the EP Minimum Monthly Salary Threshold for easy reference.
| Sector | Current Minimum Qualifying Salary |
Revised Minimum Qualifying Salary | |
| Â | Â | New Application effective 1.1.2025 | Renewal Application effective 1.1.2026 |
| All (except financial services) | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SGD$ 5,000 (Increases up to $8,400 for candidate in mid-40s) |
SGD$ 5,600 (Increases up to $10,700 for candidate in mid-40s) |
|
| Financial Services | Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â SGD$ 5,500 (Increases up to $9,300 for candidate in mid-40s) |
SGD$ 6,200 (Increases up to $11,800 for candidate in mid-40s) |
|
The minimum salary requirements will increase in line with the age and experience of the applicants.
EP Eligibility Stages:
Stage 1: Meeting the EP Qualifying Salary
Stage 2: Achieving the required points in the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)
This summary was prepared using information from the Ministry of Manpower
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) and Debra Jane Beynon (Regional Immigration Manager, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Ireland: New visa requirements announced
The Minister for Justice has announced that starting from March 7, 2024, nationals of Dominica, Honduras, and Vanuatu must obtain a visa before traveling to Ireland. This decision aims to align Ireland’s visa requirements with those of the UK and the Schengen area. The visa requirement for these countries is part of an ongoing effort to harmonize visa regulations.
Additionally, visa requirements have been lifted for diplomatic passport holders of certain countries. Irish visa policies are regularly reviewed to balance immigration control and facilitating travel for various purposes. Transitional arrangements will be made for nationals of Dominica, Honduras and Vanuatu with existing travel plans to Ireland. The number of travellers from these countries to Ireland is low, so a significant increase in visa applications is not anticipated.
This summary was prepared using information from the Department of Justice
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) and  Joanna Sogeke (Team Leader, EMEA).
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