Immigration Insights

UNITED STATES: Consular Officers Authorized to Waive In-Person Interview Requirements for Certain Non-Immigrant Visa Applicants

December 29, 2021

Effective through December 31, 2022, the U.S. State Department has authorized consular officers to waive the in-person interview requirement for select groups of visa applicants.

Read More

UNITED STATES: ICE Announces Extension to I-9 Compliance Flexibility Regarding Physical Document Inspection Requirements

December 21, 2021

On Dec. 15, 2021, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) extended the flexibility previously afforded to the Form I-9 compliance rules regarding physical document inspection through April 30, 2022.

Read More

UNITED KINGDOM: Right to Work Update

December 21, 2021

From 6 April 2022, individuals in possession of Biometric Residence Permits (BRP), Biometric Residence Cards (BRC), or Frontier Worker Permits (FWP) will evidence their right to work in the UK exclusively via the Home Office online checking service.

Read More

UNITED KINGDOM: New UK Visa Routes for Spring

December 21, 2021

As 2021 comes to an end, Newland Chase revisits new UK visa routes announced earlier this year and that are due to open in Spring 2022. These include “Scale-Up” visa, “High Potential Individual” visa and “Global Business Mobility” visa.

Read More

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: New Penalty Structure of Immigration Non-Compliance Announced

December 16, 2021

The UAE authorities have announced a new penalty structure for immigration non-compliance relating to visa issuance, renewal, and cancellations. The implementation date for these new consequences has yet to be announced by the UAE government, but is expected in the upcoming months.

Read More

AUSTRALIA and SWITZERLAND: Eased Visa Measures Announced Between Countries

December 16, 2021

As part of continued efforts to strengthen long-standing diplomatic ties, Switzerland and Australia have announced eased visa measures and new visa opportunities between their nations. Both countries will introduce these changes on 1 January 2022.

Read More

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: New Monday-Friday Afternoon Work Week to Debut 1 January 2022

December 16, 2021

In an effort both to support work-life balance for employees and further align the country with the global economy, the UAE will make changes to the country’s public sector work week, effective 1 January 2022.

Read More

UNITED STATES: USCIS Temporarily Waives 60-Day Rule for Civil Surgeon Signatures on Form I-693

December 10, 2021

On 9 December 2021, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will temporarily waive the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record within 60 days of filing an application for the underlying immigration benefit. This temporary waiver is effective immediately and will continue until 30 September 2022.

Read More

SWITZERLAND: Work Permit Quotas Announced for 2022

December 1, 2021

On 24 November 2021, the Federal Council of Switzerland announced that quotas will remain the same for new work permit applications submitted during the 2022 calendar year for non-European Union/European Free Trade Agreement (non-EU/EFTA) nationals (with a stay greater than four consecutive months/120 days per year) and service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA (also with a stay greater than four consecutive months/120 days per year).

Read More

New Global Travel Restrictions Introduced in Response to COVID-19 Omicron Variant Concerns

December 1, 2021

While the world awaits further information on the new COVID-19 Omicron variant, many countries have introduced new travel restrictions against individuals from, or with recent travel to, several Southern African countries.

Read More

AUSTRALIA: Travel Restrictions Ending for Eligible Visa Holders [Updated 30 November 2021]

November 30, 2021

From 15 December 2021, eligible visa holders who have been fully vaccinated with a Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) recognized vaccine will be free to travel to and from Australia without the need to first apply for a Travel Exemption.

Read More

U.S. to Expand Vaccination Requirement for Foreign National Travelers

November 28, 2021

Starting 22 January, 2022, the Biden administration will require foreign national travelers engaged in essential travel to be fully vaccinated when crossing U.S. land borders or ferry terminals.

Read More

UNITED STATES: Long Delays for Work Permits for L, H, and E Spouses Are Over [Updated]

November 24, 2021

To seek relief from immigration application delays, the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and its partners filed a lawsuit, which was settled with the Department of Homeland Security.

Read More

AUSTRALIA: Outbound Travel Restrictions Lifted for Fully Vaccinated Individuals

November 22, 2021

Effective 1 November 2021, fully-vaccinated and medically-exempt Australians will no longer require a travel exemption to depart Australia.

Read More

SWITZERLAND: Freedom of Movement for Croatian Citizens Beginning 1 January 2022

November 18, 2021

The Swiss Federal Council recently announced that Croatian citizens will be granted full freedom of movement beginning on January 1, 2022. This change will put Croatian nationals on equal terms with EU/EFTA nationals. As such, as of January 1, 2022, they will be allowed to follow the streamlined EU/EFTA national immigration process.

Read More

IRELAND: Holiday Travel Allowances and Citizenship Application Improvements

November 17, 2021

Ireland’s Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, T.D., has announced improvements to holiday travel allowances and to citizenship applications.

Read More

SRI LANKA: Residence Visa Validity Increased to Five Years

November 17, 2021

Sri Lanka has officially increased the standard duration of their Employment and Dependent Residence Visas from the current two years to five years.

Read More

SINGAPORE: Acceptable Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination Amended for Individuals Vaccinated in the U.S.

November 17, 2021

Singapore’s Immigration & Checkpoints Authority (ICA) announced new criteria for individuals vaccinated in the United States to prove their vaccination status and use the country’s Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs).

Read More

UK: Reminder of Application Submission Changes from 30 November 2021

November 15, 2021

In September this year the Home Office issued a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules which will see a change to how applicants (and their dependants) for Student and Skilled Worker visas make their applications. The change will apply from 30 November 2021.

Read More

KUWAIT: Temporary Suspension of Visa Issuance for Lebanese Citizens

November 12, 2021

Amid continued political disputes between Lebanon and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Kuwait’s Ministry of Interior has temporarily suspended all new visa issuance for Lebanese citizens effective November 10, 2021.

Read More