Category: Immigration Insights

May 3, 2017

With immediate effect, Indian authorities have introduced a biometric requirement for foreign nationals applying for visa extensions and registration at the Foreigners Registration Office (FRO) in Pune and at the Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) in Mumbai and Bangalore. Foreign nationals submitting registration or visa extension applications at these registration offices will be required to submit […]

May 2, 2017

From 8th May 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will introduce several measures to relax the Japanese visa requirements for Chinese nationals. What are the key changes? A new three-year multiple-entry visa will be available to Chinese nationals who can prove sufficient financial means, and their families. It will allow stays of up to 30 […]

May 2, 2017

Effective 1st July 2017, foreign national residents who have stayed in India for more than 182 days in the previous 12 months and are therefore required to pay income tax in India, must obtain an Aadhaar ID card in order to submit their income tax return (ITR). An ITR acknowledgement form is required in support […]

May 2, 2017

A draft circular released in January this year by the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) introduced a nationwide portal for the online submission and management of work permit applications. According to the draft circular, online work permit applications will be mandatory nationwide from 1st July 2017, and the systems are currently being […]

May 2, 2017

In this week’s edition, we report on upcoming changes to the Skilled Migrant Category in New Zealand, provide clarification regarding Israel’s short-term employment authorisation, and advise of stricter criteria for citizenship in Australia. We also bring you the latest immigration news from Canada, Ukraine and Colombia.

April 26, 2017

On 20th April 2017, the Government announced that a package of reforms will apply to citizenship applications received on or after 20th April 2017. Legislation relating to these reforms will be put before Parliament by the end of 2017. What changes were announced? Applicants will be required to have lived in Australia as a permanent […]

April 26, 2017

From 1st April 2017, the Colombian government has introduced a new requirement for travellers entering Colombia from Angola, Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and Brazil to present an international yellow fever vaccination at the port of entry. Circular 000018 was issued on 29th March 2017, in response to the recent international yellow fever outbreak. It […]

April 26, 2017

Effective 16th April 2017, Resolution No. 118 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine introduces online visa applications, simplifies the requirements for visa invitation letters, reduces the time allowed for consulates to process and issue a visa and reduces the consular visa application fee, amongst other changes. Online Visa Option Foreign nationals will be able […]

April 26, 2017

The Work Permit Unit of the Ministry of Interior has clarified this week that any application for short-term employment authorisation (SEA) for up to 45 days with a B-1 work visa must be submitted and approved before the applicant travels to Israel. Any application submitted for a SEA B-1 work visa for up to 45 […]

April 25, 2017

On 19th April 2017, Immigration Minister Michael Woodhouse announced that changes to the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), including new minimum salary requirements, will take effect on 14th August 2017. What is the Skilled Migrant Category? With a Skilled Migrant Category resident visa, a qualifying applicant can live and work in New Zealand indefinitely. A points-based […]