Immigration Insights

UNITED STATES: USCIS Tasked with Expansion of Premium Processing [UPDATED 19 Oct 2020]

October 19, 2020

On 30 September 2020, the US Senate passed and the president signed H.R. 8337 to keep the US government operational until 11 December 2020, maintaining vital immigration programs such as the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program, E-Verify, Conrad 30 Waiver Program for J-1 medical doctors and non-minister religious workers programs.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Immigration Health Surcharge

October 14, 2020

The increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) from £400 to £624, will take effect on 27 October 2020. UK immigration applications submitted before 27 October will therefore be significantly cheaper.

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AUSTRALIA: Federal Budget Analysis

October 14, 2020

The release of the 2020-21 Budget has revealed a number of planned changes to the Department of Home Affairs and the migration program, with significant changes to the General Skilled, Family, and Global Talent categories.

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AUSTRALIA: Confirmation of New Labor Market Testing Requirements

October 8, 2020

The Australian government has released new legislation on the Labor Market Testing (LMT) requirements for employer-sponsored visas.

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Are You Sponsor Licence Ready? | Employing Migrant Workers in the UK from 1 January 2021

October 1, 2020

2020 has been a year of change, challenge and uncharted territory for organisations everywhere. As the UK moves forward with its departure from the EU, employers must now prepare for further change – the introduction of new rules for EU nationals and a visa system to accommodate them.

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UNITED STATES: Significant Forward Progress for Several Categories in October 2020 Visa Bulletin

October 1, 2020

On 24 September 2020, the US Department of State (DOS) released the October 2020 Visa Bulletin, the first of the new government fiscal year (FY 2021). It showed significant advancement in most categories, but especially for applicants under the EB-3 category who were born in India.

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China Reopens Borders Webinar Q&A | Return to China with Our Guided-Entry Visa Solution

September 29, 2020

Following our recent webinar, China Reopens Borders: Return to China with Our Guided-Entry Visa Solution, Newland Chase experts answer the most pressing questions on China immigration.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Increase of Immigration Health Surcharge Postponed (Updated 1 Oct)

September 24, 2020

The planned increase in the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) from £400 to £624 has been postponed until at least 15 October 2020.

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Travel and Mobility Strategies to Successfully Manage the Unexpected

September 23, 2020

Newland Chase’s September COVID-19 webinar focused on strategies that global mobility managers and travel managers can utilize to surf the waves of the continually changing immigration and global entry landscape. Global mobility managers and travel managers are encouraged to carefully evaluate these suggestions to successfully steer their immigration program through the choppy waters of global travel during the COVID-19 era.

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Immigration Controls in a Pandemic: Border Control Approaches Compared

September 22, 2020

An in-depth study of how different countries have adapted to incoming international arrivals in the COVID-19 era. Authored by Irene Gallagher of Newland Chase Australia.

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AUSTRALIA: Employer-Sponsored Visa Changes September 2020

September 3, 2020

The Australian Government has announced a number of changes to the employer-sponsored visa program, with the aim to fill urgent skills needs in critical sectors while also ensuring that Australian workers have first access to job vacancies.

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SINGAPORE: Changes to Minimum Qualifying Salary and Advertising Requirement

August 28, 2020

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has raised the minimum Qualifying Fixed Monthly Salary for NEW applications for EP and S Pass and extended the FCF job advertising requirements to include S Pass applications submitted from Thursday 1 October 2020.

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UK Home Office Webinar Q&A | A First-Hand Exploration of the UK’s New Immigration System

August 26, 2020

Further to the recent UK Home Office webinar, view our Q&A report which provides answers to your most pressing questions on the UK's new, post-Brexit immigration system.

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COVID-19 Webinar Q&A | Office Not Required: Travel and Mobility Impacts of Work from Home Policies

August 21, 2020

Posted Worker regulations have become a hot topic of discussion in the European mobility industry. Yet another new Directive comes into effect from 30 July 2020, which will see further revisions to posted worker employment conditions (“equal pay for equal work”), and reductions in the assignment duration, during which only limited host country conditions need to be applied. This FAQ addresses many concerns your business may have.

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UNITED STATES: USCIS Reopens Fiscal Year 2021 H-1B Lottery

August 20, 2020

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has recently begun selecting additional, previously unselected H-1B registrations that were submitted in March 2020 for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B lottery. 

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White Paper | Brexit and the UK’s New Immigration System

August 18, 2020

1 January 2021 marks the end of EU freedom of movement rights in the UK. In this white paper, Newland Chase experts explore what to expect, how the significant changes will transform how foreign nationals migrate to the UK, and the effects on businesses' operational requirements and recruitment policies.

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CHINA: Certain Nationals Holding Valid Residence Permits May be Able to Obtain a Visa Without a Letter of Invitation

August 11, 2020

The Chinese authorities have confirmed that holders of valid residence permits, including for work or family reunion, who are nationals of certain countries, are now able to apply for a visa at a Chinese embassy or consulate in these countries without a letter of invitation (LOI or “PU Letter”).

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Posted Workers: Navigating the New Obligations for Employers

August 6, 2020

Intra-EU travel is getting complicated. In this short article, we will set out what the Posted Worker Directives are all about; what changed on July 30, 2020; give some illustrative examples, and set out what you need to know, and do, now. 

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China Opens Borders: Challenges and Solutions for Returning Travelers to China

August 4, 2020

Learn the China Essential Traveler criteria and application process to return mission-critical business travelers to China as borders slowly reopen.

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REMINDER | Posted Workers: Notification May Be Required on 30 July

July 27, 2020

Employers are encouraged to check if they have any posted workers on postings between 12-18 months on 30 July, and to check on the motivated notification requirements for those countries related to an extended application of core working conditions under the new Posted Worker Directive.

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