Category: Immigration Insights

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 […]

April 24, 2017

In this week’s edition, we provide an update on immigration changes in Canada, advise of further information regarding the changes to the Australian 457 visa, and report that qualifying Indian nationals are now eligible for the visa on arrival scheme in the UAE. We also bring you the latest immigration news from the US, the Netherlands […]

April 24, 2017

From 1st May 2017, nationals of Brazil, Bulgaria and Romania will be able to enter Canada with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA) rather than a visa, if: They have held a Canadian visa at any time in the ten years preceding their travel, or They have held a US non-immigrant visa at any time. From […]

April 20, 2017

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced this week that the 2018 cap for H-1B visas has been reached. The USCIS received 199,000 petitions, a reduction on the 236,000 petitions filed for 2017. The cap stands at 65,000 petitions for the general category, and 20,000 for the advanced degree exemption. Petitions were selected at […]