US Govt. Extends Work Permit Duration for Nigerians

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has rolled out new adjustments affecting the duration of work permits for foreign nationals, especially Nigerians, through a Temporary and Final Rule (TFR).

The updated timeline applies to eligible individuals who have submitted requests to renew their EADs on or after October 7, 2023.

Under the updated regulation, certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) will now benefit from an extended automatic extension period, stretching from the previous 180 days to a maximum of 540 days.

This initiative aims to streamline the process of obtaining work permits for eligible non-citizens and to mitigate disruptions in employment authorization during the waiting period for renewal applications.

USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddon, as reported by Business Elite, underscored the importance of this move in averting gaps in work permits and fortifying long-term solutions.

By extending the duration to 540 days, both workers and employers can expect increased stability, ensuring consistency within the labour force.

This action aligns with USCIS’s ongoing efforts to enhance employment opportunities for authorized individuals. 

The revised timeframe applies to eligible individuals who have submitted EAD renewal requests on time or after October 7, 2023.

The measure is expected to safeguard approximately 800,000 EAD renewal applicants, which includes asylum seekers, Temporary Protected Status holders, and their respective employers. 

This initiative has the potential to benefit up to 800,000 employers by providing them with a more secure workforce.

Japan invites 820,000 Nigerians, other foreign workers

The Japanese government has disclosed plans to welcome about 820,000 foreign workers, and Nigerians in the transportation and logistics sectors over the next five years.

The target is over twofold higher than the previous amount and aims to tackle a critical labour shortage in vital industries in the country.

The government is reportedly driven by a new regulation restricting driver overtime hours. The policy is expected to worsen the existing driver shortfalls.