As China sharpens its focus for the BRI, and Mena economies redouble their diversification efforts, new synergies are emerging, making the region the next one to watch for the historic project.

President Trump presented the broad outlines of a reform proposal that would include reductions in family-based immigration, replacement of the current permanent residence system with a points-based program, and greater border security measures. The proposal would not change the U.S. green card quota.

Philippines: Clarifying Guidelines Issued on Work Authorization for Foreign Nationals – The Department of Labor and Employment, Department of Justice and the Bureau of Immigration have issued joint guidelines to clarify the current rules and procedures on the issuance of work authorization to foreign nationals.

South Korea: Relaxed Policy on Quota Requirements for D-8 Visa – The Korea Immigration Service has relaxed its policy on D-8 visa quota requirements. The quota is used to limit the number of foreign employees a local sponsoring subsidiary may sponsor under a D-8 visa. The quota was previously strictly tied to the amount of foreign-invested capital the local subsidiary had received from the overseas parent company as indicated in its...

Employers can now petition for an additional 30,000 H-2B quota numbers in FY 2019.

Ireland and the United Kingdom have signed a Memorandum of Understanding consolidating reciprocal citizens’ rights in the Common Travel Area between the two countries into a single instrument. This memorandum enshrines the current policy that Irish and UK nationals do not require work and residence permits in each others’ countries.

As an update, all six EU countries in the Schengen area that instituted temporary internal border controls have formally extended these controls. France has extended its border controls until October 31, 2019

Effective May 2, 2019, Panamanian nationals holding ordinary passports and an approved multiple-entry visa can stay in China for tourism and business for up to 90 days, and vice versa. A reciprocal agreement has extended the allowable stay period from 30 days under this type of entry in both countries.

The fourth Silk Road International Exposition and the Investment and Trade Forum for Cooperation between East and West China opened in Xi’an, capital of Northwest China’s Shaanxi province, on Saturday, attracting tens of thousands of visitors from across the world.

Egyptian President Abdel Fatah El Sisi’s visit to China and deals signed on the sidelines of the Forum are significant given the importance of the BRI for Africa, especially with Egypt as the current chair of the African Union.