Category: Immigration Insights

March 24, 2017

The Italian government has announced a cap of 30,850 on the number of workers from outside the EEA allowed in Italy for 2017. The figure and the categories of workers allowed this year are similar to those announced in recent years. More than half the quotas are reserved to entries for seasonal work (17,000) The […]

March 24, 2017

On Friday 24th March, we received clarification from the Home Office that the Immigration Skills Charge only applies if the migrant is submitting their first application for Tier 2 leave after 6th April 2017. If they are applying to extend their leave or change employment but were first granted their Tier 2 leave before this […]

March 24, 2017

From 1st April 2017, a new work permit framework will be introduced across China. The Shanghai Foreign Expert Bureau has announced that Shanghai will move to the new unified work permit system on 27th March 2017, earlier than the planned nationwide start date. Work permits will be split into three categories, and an online management […]

March 22, 2017

On March 3, the Parliament of the European Union passed a resolution urging the European Commission to revoke the visa-free privilege for U.S. citizens within two months unless the U.S. government agrees to grant visa-free travel to the citizens of EU member states Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Poland, and Romania. While the resolution is not legally […]

March 21, 2017

It has been announced this week that both the US and UK have banned electronic devices from being brought onto flights in hand-luggage. The bans which affect electronic devices such as laptops, tablets (including Kindles), cameras, DVD players, and electronic games consoles larger than 16cm long, 9.3cm wide or 1.5cm deep which will now only […]

March 20, 2017

This week we advise that the latest US travel ban has been blocked again, and we provide the key April 2017 UK immigration changes. We also bring you the latest immigration news from Spain, Brazil, Bolivia and Hong Kong.

March 17, 2017

On 16th March, the Home Office sent out a communication outlining the main changes to the immigration rules. Below are the key changes that will affect employers of overseas workers (Tier 2 Sponsors) from 6th April 2017, as per the Home Office communication: Overseas criminal record certificates We are extending the requirement to provide a […]

March 17, 2017

Hawaii On 15th March 2017, a federal judge in Hawaii issued a Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) with nationwide effect, blocking key parts of the Trump Administration’s second Executive Order on travel and visa issuance, which was due to come into effect on 16th March 2017. This TRO temporarily suspends section 2 of the Executive Order, which suspends entry for nationals of […]

March 17, 2017

The National Immigration Council in Brazil has introduced a new temporary residence process for nationals of countries bordering Brazil which are not signatories to the Mercosur agreement, with immediate effect. Who can benefit? The new residence status applies to nationals of French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela who enter Brazil overland. How does it work? […]

March 17, 2017

From 1st March 2017, the visa requirements for nationals of Cambodia have been relaxed. Previously Cambodian nationals could only enter Hong Kong as visitors or dependants, but as of 1st March 2017 they may now apply to enter Hong Kong for employment, investment, training and study and under several other immigration programs. Nationals of Cambodia […]