Immigration Insights

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES: New Dependent Visa Endorsement Procedure in Dubai

February 11, 2019

Effective immediately, the immigration authorities (GDRFA) in the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai have modified the dependent visa endorsement procedure, adding up to four days to the process.

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SAUDI ARABIA: Recent Changes to Work Visas, Block Visas and Nitaqat

February 11, 2019

The Ministry of Labour and Social Development (MLSD) in Saudi Arabia has recently made several significant changes to its rules for issuing block visas and work visas, and to the “Nitaqat” Saudization system.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 11 February 2019

February 11, 2019

The latest global immigration news in your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. We bring you news from Mexico, New Zealand, Romania and Malaysia. There are updates from the Philippines, Colombia, Germany and Venezuela as well as Brexit news. Why not read our latest blog post and company news?

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BREXIT: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and UK Agree on Citizens’ Rights After Brexit [UPDATED]

February 8, 2019

The UK has reached a separation agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway (‘the EEA EFTA States’), including a deal on citizens’ rights.

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MALAYSIA: MYXpats Centre Requires ESD Portal Users to Complete Survey

February 8, 2019

All employers registered with the ESD portal of the MYXpats Centre to apply for Employment Passes or Professional Visit Passes must complete an online client experience survey before carrying out any further transactions through the portal.

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PHILIPPINES: New Requirements and Restrictions for Special Work Permit and Provisional Work Permit

February 8, 2019

On 29 January 2019, the Bureau of Immigration (BI) in the Philippines issued Operations Order No. JHM-2019-002, prescribing supplemental guidelines for SWP and PWP issuance.

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Going Global: Expand Your Business to Mexico

February 8, 2019

Brief review and analysis of the current business climate and corporate immigration system for international companies operating in Mexico. Economic outlook, business and legal challenges, work permit and visa applications, NAFTA and USMCA, and new President Obrador administration discussed.

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COLOMBIA: New Labour Ministry Registration Required for all Foreign Workers [UPDATED]

February 8, 2019

Resolution 4388 created and implemented the Single Registry of Foreign Workers in Colombia (“RUTEC”). The 120 days in which companies must register foreign national employees hired by 9 Oct 2018 should be counted from 8 Nov 2018, so the deadline for companies to register these workers is 9 Mar 2019.

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GERMANY: Plans to Introduce Transition Period for UK Nationals to Regularise Immigration Status After a No-Deal Brexit

February 6, 2019

The German federal government has announced its plans for UK nationals in Germany after 29 March 2019, in the event of a no-deal Brexit.

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BREXIT: Switzerland and UK Agreement on Citizens’ Rights After Brexit

February 6, 2019

The Swiss Federal Council and the UK government have approved an agreement protecting the rights of Swiss nationals currently residing in the UK and the reciprocal rights of UK nationals currently residing in Switzerland, after the UK leaves the EU.

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VENEZUELA: Embassy in Argentina Can Now Apostille Venezuelan Criminal Records Certificates

February 5, 2019

Effective immediately, the Venezuelan embassy in Argentina is now authorised to stamp an apostille seal on Venezuelan criminal records certificates.

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ROMANIA: Significant Increase in Work Permit Quotas for 2019

February 5, 2019

The Government in Romania has increased to 20,000 the total number of work permits that can be issued in 2019 to non-EU nationals, up significantly from 7000 in 2018.

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MEXICO: Delays at Immigration Offices

February 5, 2019

As the new federal administration takes office in Mexico, major staff changes are taking place within the offices of the National Immigration institute (INM) around the country, affecting the processing times of submitted applications.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 4 February 2019

February 4, 2019

The latest global immigration news in your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. We bring you news from the UK, UAE, and USA, plus updates from Colombia and Denmark.

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UNITED STATES: Changes to H-1B Cap Lottery Announced But Registration Requirement Postponed

January 31, 2019

On 31 Jan 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published a final rule to amend regulations governing the H-1B cap process. The rule changes the lottery process, effective this year, but postpones implementation of the electronic registration requirement until the FY 2021 H-1B cap season.

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DENMARK: Government Publishes Plan for UK Citizens in Event of No-Deal Brexit

January 30, 2019

The Danish government has published details of a planned temporary transitional scheme extending the rights of British citizens already resident in Denmark on 29 March 2019 in the event of a no deal Brexit.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Government Publishes Plan for EU Citizens Arriving After No-Deal Brexit

January 29, 2019

On 28 January 2019, the UK Home Office published a policy paper outlining its proposals for how it will treat EU citizens arriving in the UK after a no-deal Brexit.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 29th January 2019

January 29, 2019

The latest global immigration news in your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. This week we bring you news from the UK, New Zealand and Belarus.

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UNITED STATES: USCIS Resumes Premium Processing for Fiscal Year 2019 H-1B Cap Petitions

January 29, 2019

Effective 28 January 2019, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has resumed premium processing for all fiscal year (FY) 2019 H-1B cap-subject petitions.

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COLOMBIA: Longer Processing Times as All In-Country Visa Applications Must be Submitted Online

January 29, 2019

Effective 28 January 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Colombia has announced that all in-country visa procedures must now be completed online. In-person visa applications at the Ministry will no longer be accepted.

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