Category: Immigration Insights

October 17, 2017

Newland Chase were delighted to attend a breakfast briefing on Monday 16th October with Rt Hon Hilary Benn MP, Chair of the Committee on Exiting the European Union. Invitees were reminded that the UK is currently facing it’s biggest political overhaul of all time, with a focus on the practicalities of moving EU law into […]

October 17, 2017

Effective immediately, foreign nationals travelling to Azerbaijan for work or business must obtain the appropriate work or business visa before travelling. What has changed? Previously, most foreign nationals travelling to Azerbaijan for work or business would enter the country on an e-visa or a visa on arrival as a visitor, and then change status post […]

October 17, 2017

Effective 9th October 2017, the immigration authorities (DGME) have reversed a recent change to the post-arrival temporary residence application process for employees of registered companies. The requirement, imposed in August, that the main applicant and any dependents submit their fingerprints and complete consular registration before submitting their temporary residence application, has been cancelled. However, it […]

October 16, 2017

In this week’s edition, we bring you news of a reciprocal suspension of visa services between the US and Turkey and announce an expedited work permit process in Shanghai, China that may benefit some foreign workers. Plus, we bring you immigration news from Switzerland, Kenya and Tanzania.  

October 11, 2017

Effective immediately, foreign national employees in Oman earning at least OMR 300 (about USD 780) per month are permitted to sponsor their family members for dependent residence permits. Previously, the salary threshold for dependent sponsorship was OMR 600 per month. Background While there is no specific ministerial decision in Oman establishing the minimum salary for […]

October 11, 2017

Effective immediately, foreign nationals employed in Abu Dhabi who wish to sponsor family members for initial or renewal dependent residence permits must submit a Tawtheeq (a residential lease registered in Abu Dhabi) in support of the application. Exceptions Employees who cannot submit a Tawtheeq because they live in another Emirate (such as Dubai) may appeal […]

October 10, 2017

Effective 2nd October 2017, permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macau, who live in one of 27 designated locations can apply for one-year or three-year multiple-entry permits for Taiwan online, rather than in person at the Taipei Representative Office. Previously, only a single-entry permit to Taiwan was available through the online platform. Obtaining a visa upon […]

October 10, 2017

On 8th October 2017, the United States announced the immediate suspension of all non-immigrant visa services at all US diplomatic facilities in Turkey. Hours later, Turkey retaliated by suspending all visa services for US citizens at its diplomatic and consular missions in the United States, and at Turkey’s borders, and blocked US nationals from using […]

October 9, 2017

Effective October 2017, Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI), alongside the Immigration Bureau (IMM) and the Department of Employment (DOE), has launched a new online system for streamlined initial and renewal work permit and visa applications. The so-called Single Window System will replace the current hardcopy work permit booklet with a new digital work permit, allow […]

October 6, 2017

The government has announced an expansion to its Registered Traveller Service, which facilitates a faster entry at the UK border. From 5th October, business travellers and frequent visitors from 15 new countries are eligible to apply for membership of the service. Which countries have been added? The new countries covered by the service are Andorra, […]