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US Immigration: Obama announces executive action
Towards the end of 2014 President Obama outlined his plans for ‘executive action’ to reform the US immigration system. This is after continued attempts at immigration reform via Congress failed.
In a television broadcast, Obama explained his reasons for taking this step. He said that the current system “has been broken for a very long time, and everybody knows it” and that migrants come to the US to “work and study, and serve in our military, and above all, to contribute to America’s success.” Obama’s speech also focused on increases to border security.
Some of the changes include expanding the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program; allocating more resources to border security, and changes to the L-1 and H-1B non-immigrant visa categories.
US Immigration: L-1 Visa Update
Changes to the L-1 visa program may make it easier for applicants to apply for the L-1 visa.
In recent years in the US, demand for H-1B visas for graduate level work exceeds the 85,000 annual quota for these visas. Tens of thousands of potential visa applicants hoping to come under the H-1B visa find they are unable to do so. However, migrants who have worked for one year in the last three years for an overseas business may be eligible for a transfer to the US on an L-1 intra-company transfer visa.
President Obama is making some changes in his ‘executive action’ on immigration. He has promised to streamline the L-1 visa process for foreign workers.
Australia Immigration Opportunities
Australia has some of the best skilled immigration programs in the World. We can ensure that your Australian visa applications are dealt with competently and efficiently so maximising your chances of success. We can help with Skilled Independent and State sponsored visas and a number of other Australian visa categories.
New extended period for Australian Subclass 400 Temporary Work visa
Temporary workers in Australia can in some circumstances now apply for a Subclass 400 visa for an increased period of six months. Previously the maximum period of stay was three months. These changes were introduced on 23rd November 2014.
The subclass 400 visa is a short term, temporary work visa which is normally issued quickly to employ overseas workers who are urgently required for specialist level work in Australia. Overall it is much easier obtaining a Subclass 400 visa than, for example, a Subclass 457 Temporary skilled work visa.
In order to be granted a six month visa, you will need to put forward a strong business case detailing the reason for the extended stay.
US Visas: Increase in British E-1/E-2 Treaty Visa applications
British citizens are applying in increasing numbers for E-1 Treaty Trader and E-2 Treaty Investor visas. The high value of the pound against the US dollar has made investments in the US more attractive for British citizens. E-1 and E-2 visas are treaty-based visas for nationals of certain countries with which the US has agreed a trade related treaty.
The treaty allows nationals of the treaty Country, including the actual investor, to come to the US to work in the E-1 or E-2 treaty company. The business will firstly need to be registered as an E-1 Treaty Trader business or E-2 Treaty investor business which is typically a difficult and complicated process. Investors and employees can then apply for entry to the US.
The benefits of E-1/E-2 visas are that it is a relatively quick application process compared with say an L-1 or H-1B visa. E-1 and E-2 visas also allow spouses of visa holders to work in the US for any employer. Many work visas only allow the principal applicant the right to work in the US. The initial visa period is for up to five years, and the number of extensions that can be made is unlimited.
Thank you for reading our immigration newsletter,
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