Immigration Insights

UNITED KINGDOM: Transitional Arrangements – Further Details on the Global Business Mobility Routes

April 4, 2022

On 11 April 2022, the Intra-Company Transfer and Intra-Company Graduate Trainee routes are being replaced by two new Global Business Mobility routes. Further guidance on the transitional arrangements to ease the introduction of these new routes has now been published.

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UNITED STATES: USCIS Announces New Measures to Reduce Immigration Backlog

March 31, 2022

On March 29, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced three measures that seek to reduce wait times, expand premium processing to additional form types, and streamline the process for those waiting for employment authorization documents.

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AUSTRALIA: Permanent Residency Pathways for Short-Term Worker Cohort

March 25, 2022

From 1 July 2022, certain short-term 482 and 457 visa holders will have a pathway to permanent residency in Australia. Grandfathering provisions have also been preserved for legacy 457 visa holders.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules March 2022 | Additional Changes

March 24, 2022

Following the Home Office’s Statement of Changes of 15 March 2022, in this alert we focus on scheduled miscellaneous administrative policy changes to the Immigration Rules.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules March 2022 | Individuals

March 23, 2022

Following the Home Office’s Statement of Changes of 15 March 2022, in this alert we focus on those scheduled changes to the Immigration Rules specifically impacting, and representing opportunity for, individuals.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules March 2022 | EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS)

March 22, 2022

Following the Home Office’s Statement of Changes of 15 March 2022, in this alert we focus on those scheduled changes to the EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) provisions of the Immigration Rules.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules March 2022 | Educational Sponsorship

March 21, 2022

In line with the UK Government’s “Plan for Growth”, the Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules introduces changes relating to Appendix Student, Appendix Short-term Student and Appendix Graduate of the Immigration Rules.

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EUROPEAN UNION and UKRAINE: EU Issues Operational Guidelines for Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) (2001/55/EC)

March 18, 2022

The European Commission (EC) issued new Operational Guidelines for the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) (2001/55/EC), which are aimed at both supporting the Member States in implementing the Directive and helping “those arriving to have a consistent and effective level of rights…”

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UNITED KINGDOM: Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules March 2022 | Business Routes

March 18, 2022

Following the Home Office’s Statement of Changes (StoC) of 15 March 2022, in this alert we focus on those scheduled changes to the Immigration Rules providing new routes for individuals coming to the UK for business purposes under both sponsored and non-sponsored routes.

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Singapore Simplified: Fair Consideration Framework and Immigration Essentials for Business | Webinar Q&A Report

March 18, 2022

Following our recent webinar, Newland Chase experts answer the most pressing questions on the challenges and solutions of Singapore's Fair Consideration Framework and immigration essentials for business.

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UNITED KINGDOM: ‘Homes for Ukraine’ Scheme [Updated 17 March]

March 17, 2022

Under the Homes for Ukraine scheme, people in the UK will be able to nominate an individual or family to stay with them rent-free, or in another property, for at least six months. Organisations such as charities and churches will also be able to sponsor refugees.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Changes to the Immigration Rules

March 16, 2022

On 15 March 2022, the Home Office published its latest Statement of Changes, introducing far-reaching changes to, and across the breadth of, the UK immigration rules.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Processing for Entry Clearance Applications

March 16, 2022

The UK Home Office has announced the temporary suspension of the priority and super priority services for new study, work and family visas. This is to focus efforts on applications arising from the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. The suspension currently applies to Entry Clearance applications only – those submitted outside the UK.

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UNITED KINGDOM: New Draft Right to Work Check Guidance for Employers

March 15, 2022

The way employers carry out right to work checks is due to change from 6 April 2022, with the draft revised guidance having been published in recent days. Newland Chase summarises the most significant updates being proposed (note these may be subject to change).

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EU Blue Card Redesigned: Maximize New Program Benefits to Attract Highly-Skilled Workers | Webinar Q&A Report

March 15, 2022

Following our recent webinar, Newland Chase experts answer the most pressing questions on the challenges and solutions of the EU Blue Card Directive.

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UNITED KINGDOM: ‘Homes for Ukraine’ Scheme

March 14, 2022

The ‘Homes for Ukraine’ scheme will extend provisions for Ukrainian nationals to obtain UK visa status. Details announced today confirmed that with no current tie to the UK needed, the new initiative will allow individuals, charities, community groups and businesses to sponsor visa status for Ukrainians fleeing the crisis.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Eligible Ukrainians with Passports Can Apply for Digital Visas to Come to the UK

March 10, 2022

The Home Secretary has this morning announced a significant change to the visa process for those applying under the Ukraine Family Scheme. Following pressure to address delays and the limited availability of biometric appointments in the region, from March 15th Ukrainians with passports will now have access to a fully digital application process.

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SINGAPORE: COMPASS – New Points Based Assessment Framework

March 10, 2022

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has announced the introduction of a points-based assessment called Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS) from 1 September 2023 for new EP applications and from 1 September 2024 for EP renewals.

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SINGAPORE: Increase in Minimum Salary for Employment Pass and Eligibility Changes for S Pass

March 9, 2022

Beginning 1 September 2022, the minimum salary for EP holders will increase. At the same time, MOM will also be increasing the minimum salary and levies for S Pass holders. Quotas for S Pass will also be updated on 1 January 2023.

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EUROPEAN UNION and UKRAINE: EU Adopts Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainian Citizens, Initial Information Announced

March 4, 2022

The European Union (EU) ministers agreed to implement the Temporary Protection Directive (TPD) (2001/55/EC) to provide Ukrainians refugees with a unified immigration option throughout the EU.

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