Category: Immigration Insights

May 15, 2017

In this week’s edition, we advise that Taiwan is relaxing its visa rules for nationals of Southeast and South Asian countries, we report that Australian Visa Application Charges (VACs) are to increase, and the Swiss Government invokes a “Safeguard Clause” for Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals. We also bring you the latest immigration news from Angola, Japan […]

May 15, 2017

Italy has temporarily suspended the Schengen agreement and imposed border controls on all travellers between 10th and 30th May 2017, to enhance security during the upcoming G7 summit in Taormina on 26th & 27th May. Our advice All travellers to Italy during this period should carry a valid identity document and allow extra time to […]

May 11, 2017

Effective immediately, Presidential Decree No. 79/17 of 24th March 2017 relaxes the rules for employing foreign nationals established in Presidential Decree No. 43/17 of 6th March 2017. What has changed? The new decree makes the following amendments: Angolan companies may now hire foreign professionals for the provision of services or technical assistance The duration of […]

May 11, 2017

On 1st May 2017, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that several measures to relax the visa requirements for nationals of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan will take effect on 5th June 2017. What are the key changes? The scope of applicants eligible for multiple entry visas for short-term stay with business purposes will […]

May 11, 2017

The Immigration authorities have this week implemented an expedited process for the issuance of Identification cards for employees of accredited companies. What has changed? Qualifying employers are now able to submit requests on behalf of their foreign national employees for appointments for ID card applications (for initial or renewal Temporary Residence, immigration status change and […]

May 11, 2017

From 1st June 2017, nationals of Bulgaria and Romania (EU-2) will be subject to a new annual quota of 996 long-term B permits, released quarterly. The Swiss Federal Council announced on 10th May 2017 that it would impose the quota, invoking the “safeguard clause” provided for in its bilateral treaty with the EU. Background From […]

May 10, 2017

Effective 1st June 2017, Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs will further relax visa rules for visitors from countries in South east and South Asia covered by the “New Southbound Policy”. What are the changes? The visa exemption trial programme for nationals of Thailand and Brunei will be extended to 31st July 2018. The trial was […]

May 10, 2017

The 2017-18 Budget handed down on 9th May 2017 affects sponsoring employers and visa applicants. All current first instalment VACs will rise by around 2% on 1st July 2017 and then be indexed annually. The current and new application fees for subclass 457 and 186 visas are shown below and a full list of the VAC increases […]

May 9, 2017

Citizens of the United States will continue to enjoy visa-free travel to European Union countries for the foreseeable future. Last week, the European Commission indefinitely delayed any action on the March 3, 2017, request from the European Parliament to suspend the visa-free scheme for U.S. nationals due to the U.S. refusal to open its own […]

May 8, 2017

In this week’s edition, we advise of changes to Canada’s permanent residence rules and age threshold for dependants, we report that the Aadhaar card is now required for certain foreign nationals in India, and authorities are testing the Vietnamese online work permit portal. We also bring you the latest immigration news from Japan, India and […]