Category: Immigration Insights

February 20, 2018

Effective immediately, China’s Ministry of Public Security has introduced a new five-year multiple-entry visa and residence permit for individuals of Chinese descent living overseas. Previously, overseas ethnic Chinese could only obtain a visa valid for a maximum of one year. To qualify, candidates must have at least one parent, grandparent or unspecified ancestor who is […]

February 20, 2018

On 19th February 2018, the Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) published further clarification of the various changes to the skilled visa regulations planned for March 2018, including more details on the new Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) “TSS” visa which is due to replace the Subclass 457 visa. Below, we look at the key […]

February 19, 2018

Effective immediately, the Israeli Ministry of Interior has published new regulations relating to the employment of foreign experts in high-tech companies. The new “Hi-Tech” (HIT) Visa was announced in January 2017. One-year “Hi-Tech” (HIT) Visa The process only applies to visa waiver nationals The company needs to qualify as a “Hi-Tech Company” – approval is at the […]

February 15, 2018

India’s Bureau of Immigration (BOI) has launched a new online “e-Services” system for application and processing of visa related services at its Foreigner Regional Registration Offices in Bangaluru, Chennai, Delhi, and Mumbai. Thus far, this new system is only being used in these select cities, but it is expected to be gradually introduced at additional […]

February 12, 2018

In this week’s edition, we bring you news that there are new work permit regulations in Russia. There’s an update on Zimbabwe Exemption Permit (ZEP) applications in South Africa and there are changes to work permit regulations in Poland.  Plus, there are updates from Nigeria, Iraq and Ghana. 

February 10, 2018

On 8th February 2018, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) issued a notification making several important changes to the immigration rules. What are the changes? 1. SEV-MEV Conversion Effective immediately, MOI no longer accepts in-country conversion of Single Entry Visas (SEV) to Multi Entry Visas (MEVs). SEV visa holders are to exit Iraq and then re-enter […]

February 10, 2018

Various changes to work permit regulations for non-EEA nationals came into effect on 1st January 2018. What are the changes? The requirement to obtain a Type B work permit has been extended to a company’s non-EEA national corporate proxy or general partner, in addition to the “management board members” as previously. The type B permit […]

February 10, 2018

The Ghana Immigration Service (GIS) has posted a brief announcement of a new policy, effective 15th February 2018, requiring all new applicants for work and residence permits to obtain medical certificates from the GIS medical facility at its headquarters in Ghana. Currently, a medical certificate in support of a work permit application may be issued […]

February 8, 2018

Effective 4th February 2018, new regulations on issuing work permits bring some administrative changes to the work permit rules. What are the changes? For the purpose of obtaining a work permit, including for Highly-Qualified Specialists (HQS), the passport of a foreign national must now be valid for at least eighteen months, as of the date […]

February 7, 2018

On 2nd February 2018, the President of Nigeria signed an executive order (EO5) aimed at promoting local Nigerian expertise in science, engineering and technology. What does the executive order say? EO5 prohibits the federal Ministry of Interior (FMI) from giving visas to foreign workers whose skills are readily available in Nigeria. Where local expertise is […]