Immigration Insights

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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SOUTH AFRICA – Radiological Report and Police Record Waivers

April 21, 2023

The South African Department of Home Affairs has issued a new directive providing relief to visa and permit applicants from April 11, 2023. It does not apply to those with applications which have already been filed and are currently under adjudication.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Sponsorship Management Guidance Updates from the Home Office

April 21, 2023

The Home Office of the UK has updated its sponsor guidance in relation to general information for sponsoring workers. The updates should streamline requests and improve the process on certain immigration routes.

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PHILIPPINES: eTravel System Requirement

April 14, 2023

With effect from 15 April 2023, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will start requiring all inbound and outbound travelers, regardless if they arrive by air or sea, to complete a declaration form through the eTravel system (etravel.gov.ph).

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CONFERENCE – CIBT at 2023 ITM Conference

April 13, 2023

CIBT will be at the 2023 @ITM Conference, 26-27 April in Brighton. Please join us to learn more about developments in business travel for 2023 and hear directly from some of our experts.

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UNITED KINGDOM – Updates to the Sponsor Guidance

April 13, 2023

On 31 March 2023, the Home Office updated Part 3 of the Home Office’s Workers and Temporary Workers: guidance for sponsors, which deals with Sponsor duties and compliance.

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SINGAPORE – Details of Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS)

April 7, 2023

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has just released the following additional details on the Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS).

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MALAYSIA – ESD Will Process FKW Projection Applications Immediately

April 7, 2023

Malaysia's Expatriate Services Division (ESD) announced it will approve projection applications instantaneously.

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UNITED KINGDOM – Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules March 2023 | Non-Business Routes

March 31, 2023

The recent Home Office’s Statement of Changes includes numerous changes to non-business rules as well for students, dependents, and family members.

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NEW ZEALAND – Work Authorization of Partners Retained

March 31, 2023

Partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or Essential Skills visa holders will retain work rights with certain set of conditions starting from 31 May 2023.

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UNITED KINGDOM – End of Offshore Wind Workers Concession

March 31, 2023

The Home Office has confirmed that Offshore Wind Workers Immigration Rules Concession will come to an end on 30 April 2023 and will not be extended. This is a temporary concession for employees involved in the construction or maintenance of offshore wind farm projects in the UK territorial waters to work without the need to obtain a work visa.

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DENMARK – Immigration Changes 2023

March 31, 2023

Danish authorities have implemented updates to the Danish Alien’s Act, with changes to the Fast Track and Supplementary Pay Limit schemes.

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UNITED KINGDOM – Spring Budget Migration Announcements

March 24, 2023

The UK announced its spring budget 2023 on 15 March 2023 including upcoming changes to the business visitor visa requirements and the addition of construction workers to the Shortage Occupation List.

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MALAYSIA – Electronic Pass (ePass) to be Introduced for Renewal Applications

March 24, 2023

The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) announced they will grant electronic pass (ePass) for employment pass (EP) renewals and related passes filed with them.

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UNITED KINGDOM – Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules March 2023 | Business Routes

March 24, 2023

The Home office of the UK has issued a series of changes to the existing immigration rules, including in the skilled worker category.

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PANAMA – Major Work Permit Changes

March 24, 2023

The government of Panama has announced a series of changes to its authorization of work permits. The changes took effect earlier this month.

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