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Immigration Insights
PAKISTAN: To Join Apostille Convention
January 19, 2023
Pakistan has officially submitted documentation to accede to the Convention Abolishing the Requirement of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, more commonly referred to as the Apostille Convention.
Read MoreVIETNAM: HCMC COVID-19 Concessions Repealed
January 13, 2023
The HCMC Department of Labor formally announced COVID-related concessions are to be discontinued with immediate effect.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM: Immigration Skills Charge Exemptions
January 13, 2023
The new Immigration Skills Charge (“ISC”) exemption is available from January 2023 for employers sponsoring senior managers or specialist employees under the Global Business Mobility – Senior or Specialist (former Intra-Company Transfer) route.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM: Government to Implement ETA Scheme
January 13, 2023
From January 2023, the government of the United Kingdom will be implementing an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme as part of their universal “permission to travel” requirement.
Read MoreMALAYSIA: MDEC Removed Option for Endorsement Transfer
January 13, 2023
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has removed the option for pass endorsements to be filed directly with MDEC for any foreign nationals who renewed their passports and intend to transfer the existing pass onto the new one.
Read MoreCHINA: Restrictions on Travelers from Japan, South Korea
January 12, 2023
Due to concern over rising COVID rates in China, the government of South Korea stopped issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. In return, Chinese consular posts in Japan and South Korea have suspended issuing Chinese visas of various kinds to Japanese and South Korean citizens.
Read MoreUAE: Unemployment Insurance Scheme Launched
January 6, 2023
The government of the United Arab Emirates has implemented a mandatory unemployment insurance scheme for employees working in any private or government sector organization. The scheme is called the Involuntary Loss of Employment (ILOE).
Read MoreSPAIN: New Start-Ups and Digital Nomad Visas Law Adopted
January 6, 2023
A new law to facilitate the entry and residence of foreign talent, investors, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads has gone into effect through a whole legislative package of a type that has not yet seen in Europe.
Read MoreJAPAN: On Arrival COVID-19 Test for Travelers from China to Japan
December 28, 2022
Effective 30 December 2022, an on-arrival COVID-19 test is mandated for travelers from China to Japan.
Read MoreCHINA: No More Quarantine and HDC for International Arrivals from 8th January 2023
December 27, 2022
China will scrap inbound quarantine and centralized isolation for international arrivals in an effort to resume the travel normalcy from January 8, 2023.
Read MoreSINGAPORE: Update on M-SEP Scheme
December 21, 2022
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has recently launched the Manpower for Strategic Economic Priorities Scheme that gives firms some flexibility to temporarily hire S Pass and Work Permit holders above their existing Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) and S Pass sub-DRC.
Read MoreNEW ZEALAND: Immigration Policy and Process Updates
December 15, 2022
Immigration New Zealand released a new policy on the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) and an updated policy on the Essential Skills Work Visa (ESWV) allowing these visa types to be varied.
Read MoreUNITED KINGDOM: Strike Actions to Affect Entry
December 15, 2022
Strike actions by the UK’s Public and Commercial Service (PCS) union are expected to affect Border Force operations in December. This will likely cause possible significant delays in entry to the United Kingdom.
Read MoreGERMANY: Authorities Closure and Delays
December 14, 2022
German immigration authorities are currently experiencing extensive delays in processing visa applications. This will be exacerbated by the Berlin local Town Hall closing until February 2023 due to elections.
Read MoreMALAYSIA: Auto-Gate Available for Long-Term Pass Holders
December 14, 2022
The Immigration Department has announced that long-term pass holders in Malaysia are now able to enter via the automatic gate facility at the airport. They may take advantage of this facility without completing any prior registrations.
Read MoreJAPAN: Ports Reopening For Cruise Ships
December 14, 2022
Japan announced on 15 November 2022 the country will start re-opening ports for international cruise ships. Cruise operations are expected to slowly resume.
Read MoreCROATIA: Entry Into Schengen Confirmed
December 14, 2022
Croatia has been granted entry into the Schengen Area, beginning on 01 January 2023.
Read MoreUNITED STATES: H-1B Cap Season Coming Soon
December 9, 2022
The dates for the launch of the 2023 H-1B visa application process are expected to be announced in January. Here's what companies and individuals can do to prepare.
Read MoreUNITED ARAB EMIRATES: Immigration 2022 – A Look Back
December 9, 2022
The UAE implemented many changes to their immigration regulations in 2022, including: new visa categories, simplifications to the golden visa requirements, and changes to Emiratization requirements.
Read MoreVIETNAM: Foreign Utilization Mandatory Reporting
December 6, 2022
Employers in Vietnam who have foreign employees holding valid or current work permits are required to complete a bi-annual report regarding the utilization of foreign manpower.
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