Category: Immigration Insights

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 […]

February 6, 2018

On 31st January 2018, the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) extended to 15th February 2018 the closing date for payments and submission of supporting documents and biometrics for applications for the new Zimbabwean Exemption Permit (ZEP), at one of the ten designated Visa Application Centres. This deadline had previously been extended to 31st January 2018. […]

February 5, 2018

In this week’s edition, we bring you news that in the UK, the Tier 2 General category has been oversubscribed for a second month, and the health surcharge is set to double. Thailand has introduced a four-year SMART Visa for top talent and there is a new foreign recruitment law in Taiwan. Plus, there are updates from Austria, Switzerland and Oman.     

February 5, 2018

The government has announced that the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) will increase from £200 to £400 per year. The discounted charge, payable by Tier 4 students and those on the Tier 5 (Youth Mobility Scheme) will rise from £150 to £300 per year. Introduced in 2015, the IHS is payable by those from outside the […]

February 2, 2018

Effective 1st February 2018, the Thai Board of Investment has introduced the previously-announced SMART Visa for highly-skilled foreign workers and investors in certain industries. What are the Benefits of the SMART Visa? The SMART Visa is valid for up to four years (non-immigrant visas are usually valid for up to one year only) for qualifying […]

February 2, 2018

Effective immediately, university diplomas and school leaving certificates submitted in support of initial Red-White-Red Card Plus (RWR Card Plus) applications by dependent family members of Red-White-Red Card (RWR Card) holders must be legalised and then authenticated under the ENIC-NARIC framework. Previously, ENIC-NARIC recognition of university diplomas was not required for these applicants. Who is affected […]