Immigration Insights

NEW ZEALAND – Changes to Partner Work Rights

June 16, 2023

Immigration New Zealand announced on 31 May 2023 substantive changes to the visa conditions for the partners of Essential Skills and Accredited Employer Work Visa holders applying for new Partner of Worker Work Visas.

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UNITED KINGDOM – ETA for Gulf and Jordanian Visitors

June 16, 2023

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nationals and Jordanian nationals will be required to pay £10 to apply for an ETA, which will allow them to visit the UK multiple times over a two-year period.

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CANADA – Countries Added to eTA Program

June 9, 2023

Canada has added 13 countries to its electronic travel authorization (eTA) program. The eTA Canada is an electronic travel authorization allowing visa-exempt foreign nationals to enter Canada.

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NIGERIA – ‘Brown Card’ Scheme Introduced

June 9, 2023

The government of Nigeria recently introduced a new pathway to citizenship for foreign nationals dubbed the ‘Brown Card’. The goal of the Brown Card is to increase the number of people seeking to become naturalized Nigerian citizens.

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UNITED KINGDOM – Changes to Student Visa Route

June 9, 2023

Last week the UK government highlighted changes to the student visa route in hopes they will reduce net migration, with the main focus being on the dependents on the student route.

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UNITED KINGDOM – Shortage Occupation List New Addition; Seafood Sector

June 5, 2023

The UK fishing sector has been given a boost by adding a range of Skilled Occupations to the Shortage Occupation List. As of this summer, share fisherman, trawler skippers, and experienced deckhands (large vessels) will be all be on the Shortage Occupation List.

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KOSOVO – Visa-Free Travel with the EU

June 5, 2023

Starting in January 2024, citizens of Kosovo will no longer need a visa to travel to the countries of the European Union and stay for periods of up to 90 days within in a 180-day period.

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VIETNAM – Foreign Utilization Semi-Annual Mandatory Reporting

June 5, 2023

Employers in Vietnam who have foreign employees holding valid or current work permits are required to complete a semi-annual report regarding their utilization of foreign manpower by 7 July 2023.

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UNITED KINGDOM – Hybrid and Remote Reporting

May 26, 2023

In lieu of the Covid-19 pandemic there is no need for sponsors to report on hybrid and remote working changes to the Home Office.

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KAZAKHSTAN – Visa-free Travel with China

May 26, 2023

The governments of Kazakhstan and China have announced the signing of an agreement between the two countries to allow for visa-free travel,

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UAE – Unemployment Insurance Expanded

May 26, 2023

The United Arab Emirates has expanded the categories of workers who are required to enroll in the country’s unemployment insurance system.

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CANADA – To Join the Apostille Convention

May 23, 2023

Global Affairs Canada announced on 16 May that Canada is adopting the Apostille Convention. The Apostille Convention simplifies the process of legalizing documents for use in other countries who are members of the Convention.

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SWEDEN – Immigration Process Changes Announced

May 19, 2023

Sweden’s Migration Agency continued to announce changes to the country’s immigration process, including a proposal to raise the minimum salary threshold, and a phasing out of Sweden’s “Fast Track” certification.

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IRAQ – KRG Seeks Registered Company Reports

May 19, 2023

The Companies Registrar Directorate of the Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) is asking all registered companies within the KRG to publish their records and files with the Directorate by 31 May.

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JAPAN – Immigration Framework Review for Digital Nomads

May 15, 2023

The Japanese Government laid out its plans to attract highly skilled foreign talent and is considering implementation of an immigration framework for digital nomads.

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CANADA – New Passports Unveiled

May 15, 2023

A new design for Canadian passports have been unveiled. The new passports will be more secure with a number of enhanced security features.

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UPDATE – UK Virtual or Remote Working Reporting Responsibility

May 4, 2023

The Home Office has changed reporting requirements for sponsored international employees with remote or hybrid working arrangements. The HO is now requiring sponsors to log the physical location of these workers.

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AUSTRALIA – Immigration System Overhaul

April 27, 2023

The Australian Immigration system is set to undergo a major overhaul in the coming months. This announcement is based on an extensive report highlighting increased labour shortages and the absence of policy for lower paid workers.

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JAPAN – New Visa System Launched

April 27, 2023

To attract individuals with highly specialized skills, Japan has created a new two new entry regimes: J-Skip and J-Find.

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AUSTRALIA – NZ Direct Pathway to Citizenship

April 27, 2023

The Australian government announced a direct pathway for citizenship to current citizens of New Zealand. This decision reverses a policy from 2001 which made attaining Australian citizenship more difficult. Special Category Visa holders from New Zealand would now be able to apply directly for citizenship.

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