Immigration Insights

August 11, 2020

The Chinese authorities have confirmed that holders of valid residence permits, including for work or family reunion, who are nationals of certain countries, are now able to apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate in these countries without a letter of invitation (LOI or “PU Letter”).

August 11, 2020

View our comprehensive guide, which gathers together the knowledge and data we have on entry restrictions, immigration restrictions (office closures, visa suspensions, etc.) and immigration concessions, worldwide. Updated twice daily as new information is released. 

August 6, 2020

Intra-EU travel is getting complicated. In this short article, we will set out what the Posted Worker Directives are all about; what changed on July 30, 2020; give some illustrative examples, and set out what you need to know, and do, now. 

August 4, 2020

Learn the China Essential Traveler criteria and application process to return mission-critical business travelers to China as borders slowly reopen.

July 27, 2020

Employers are encouraged to check if they have any posted workers on postings between 12-18 months on 30 July, and to check on the motivated notification requirements for those countries related to an extended application of core working conditions under the new Posted Worker Directive.

July 23, 2020

Posted Worker regulations have become a hot topic of discussion in the European mobility industry. Yet another new Directive comes into effect from 30 July 2020, which will see further revisions to posted worker employment conditions (“equal pay for equal work”), and reductions in the assignment duration, during which only limited host country conditions need to be applied. This FAQ addresses many concerns your business may have.

July 15, 2020

Effective 1 July 2020, the Danish immigration authorities have expanded the ‘positive list’ of shortage occupations to include a ‘Positive List for Skilled Work’ and the previous positive list has been renamed the ‘Positive List for the Highly Educated’.

July 13, 2020

The UK government has released further details of its proposed new points-based system for employment immigration routes, due to take effect from 1 January 2021, under which free movement will end and EU nationals will be covered by the same rules as non-EU nationals.

July 10, 2020

Effective 27 July 2020, the Australia and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) will no longer be used to assess the skill level of jobs for essential skills work visas.

July 10, 2020

Effective 30 July, the Swedish Work Environment Authority (SWEA) has announced some changes to the rules on posting workers from abroad.

July 7, 2020

The online Registration Renewal System for immigration registration has been extended to all Dublin-based non-EEA nationals seeking to renew their immigration registration. And, effective 20 July, the Registration Office in Burgh Quay will reopen for first-time registrations.

July 6, 2020

Under a pilot program between the Australian National University and University of Canberra, around 350 international students will be able to return to Australia in July to recommence their studies.

June 30, 2020

The European Council has adopted a recommendation to Schengen member states and the four Schengen Associated States on the gradual lifting of the temporary restrictions on non-essential travel into the European Union.

June 26, 2020

China has begun to open its doors to business travelers and is permitting the entry of essential foreign workers performing necessary and urgent economic, trade, scientific or technological activities.

June 26, 2020

The deadline for submitting quota applications for employing foreign nationals in quota-subject categories in 2021 is 31 July 2020.

June 25, 2020

On June 22, 2020, Presidential Proclamation 10014 of April 22 was extended, barring entry to the US for those seeking entry in H-1B, L-1 and J-1 status and their dependents through December 31, 2020, effective 12:01am ET on June 24.

June 23, 2020

Effective 24 June 2020, the suspension of entry for first-time immigrant visa applicants is extended until 31 December 2020 and extended to include foreign workers seeking to enter the US pursuant to certain nonimmigrant visa categories, who do not already hold valid visa stamps in their passports.

June 22, 2020

Effective 30 June 2020, heads of household, property owners, landlords and hotel managers accommodating foreign nationals on a temporary basis are no longer required to submit a TM.30 form (‘Landlord Notification Receipt’) every time a foreign national stays at their premises, as currently.

June 12, 2020

The EU has taken a number of decisions paving the way for freedom of movement within the Schengen Area to be restored by the end of June at the latest.

June 12, 2020

Effective 15 June 2020, new Employment Pass (EP) and S Pass applications must be submitted via a new online service called myMOM, instead of the existing EP Online (EPOL) portal.  The new service was initially targeted for launch on 11 June, but was delayed.