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Category: Immigration Insights
QATAR: Government Abolishes “Kafala” Labour System
December 16, 2016
Qatar has formally announced the end of its labour sponsorship system that requires foreign workers to seek their employer's permission to change jobs or leave the country. The Kafala system was introduced as a way to monitor foreign workers, with…
Read MoreCANADA: eTA Available to Mexican Citizens
December 14, 2016
On 1st December 2016, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) lifted the visa requirement for Mexican citizens. Mexican citizens flying to or transiting through Canada will now require an electronic travel authorization (eTA), which they can apply for online. Mexican citizens…
Read MoreSOUTH AFRICA: 90-Day Visa Waiver for New Zealand Passport Holders Withdrawn
December 14, 2016
The South Africa Department of Home Affairs have recently announced that they will withdraw the 90-day visa waiver/exemption for New Zealand passport holders, with effect from 16th January 2017. Due to the reciprocal visa waiver that has been in place…
Read MoreCHINA: 10 Year Multiple Entry Visa Implementation with Israel
December 14, 2016
In early 2016, Israel and China signed a 10-year Multiple Entry Visa Agreement. This agreement effectively makes Israel the third country, after the United States and Canada, to have such an arrangement with China. The agreement came into effect and…
Read MoreFINLAND: Changes to Residence Permit Application and New Posted Worker Notifications
December 14, 2016
The time limit for residence permit and EU registration applicants to prove their identity in person and submit original documents has increased from one month to three months. Applications for a residence permit on the basis of family ties can…
Read MoreBAHRAIN: New Visas and Changes Announced
December 14, 2016
As part of the fourth phase of its new visa policy, Bahrain has announced the introduction of two new visas; a single entry visa and a one-year multiple re-entry visa. These new visas are available to nationals of 114…
Read MoreUK: Potential Deal for EU Expats to Continue Living in the UK
December 14, 2016
Many Europeans are set to be granted the right to carry on living in the UK post-Brexit, as it has been reported that most EU countries are likely to ensure "reciprocal rights" with the UK. Senior UK government figures have…
Read MoreUK: MPs Vote in Favour of Backing Government”s Brexit Plans
December 9, 2016
On 8th December, MPs from across the UK voted in favour of supporting the Government"s plans to trigger Article 50 and begin the UK"s process of leaving the EU by the end of March. MPs voted 448 to 75 in…
Read MoreITALY: Updated Guidelines for Posted Worker Notifications
December 8, 2016
Effective 26th December 2016, regulations have been published which specify the procedure for submitting new mandatory notifications for companies posting foreign national workers to Italy. It is not clear if the provisions of legislative Decree N.136 apply specifically to posting…
Read MoreKUWAIT: Increased Health Insurance Policy Costs for Expats
December 8, 2016
The new health insurance policy for expatriate personnel will see the cost of health insurance increase to a minimum of KD130 in 2017, from the current cost of KD50. The increase in cost appears to be part of a larger…
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