Immigration Insights

NIGERIA: Ministry of Interior Doubles Residence Permit Fee

January 2, 2019

Effective immediately, Nigeria’s Federal Ministry of Interior has increased the fee for the Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Aliens Card (CERPAC) from the equivalent of USD 1000 to USD 2000.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 24th December 2018

December 24, 2018

The very latest immigration updates from around the globe in your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. This week, we look at news from the United Kingdom, Germany and Ireland. Plus why not watch our On-Demand Webinar, Kickstart 2019: 3 Global Immigration Updates You Need to Know...

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TECH INDUSTRY: 3 Up-and-Coming Global Tech Hotbeds You Should Know

December 21, 2018

Review of three rising global technology industry hotbeds - Barcelona, Spain; Sao Paulo, Brazil; and Sydney, Australia. Tech start-up scene, financing, talent pool, and incubators discussed. Business immigration, work permits, and visas explained.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Public Testing of EU Settlement Scheme to Open in January

December 20, 2018

A Statement of Changes laid before Parliament for “resident EU citizens (& their EU citizen family members) with a valid passport” & “their non-EU citizen family members holding a valid biometric residence card” to apply for settled/pre-settled status via EU Settlement Scheme, from 21 Jan 2019.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Government Publishes Post-Brexit Immigration Proposals

December 20, 2018

The UK Home Office has published its long-awaited policy paper on its proposed future skills-based immigration system, designed to replace freedom of movement for EU citizens after Brexit.

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IRELAND: Stamp 4 Processing Delays and New Deadlines

December 20, 2018

The Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation in Ireland is now requesting that Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders apply for their Stamp 4 permission four months in advance of the expiry date of their CSEP, (i.e., once they have completed 20 months on their employment permit).

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 17th December 2018

December 17, 2018

The latest global immigration news in your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. We bring you news from Australia, the UK, Kenya, Switzerland, Indonesia, Singapore and India. Plus read our latest Brexit blog post and read about our latest award win!

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UNITED KINGDOM: Changes to Right-to-Work Checks in 2019

December 16, 2018

Effective 28 January 2019, employers in the United Kingdom will be able to rely on an online right-to-work check to prove the status of prospective employees.

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BREXIT: Deal or No-Deal… What Does It Mean for UK-EU Immigration?

December 14, 2018

Events of this week make a no-deal Brexit look ever more likely. What does it mean for UK and EU nationals, business, and immigration? Possible no-deal Brexit, a second referendum, latest guidance on settled status, and the impact on companies and employee's work permits and residence explained.

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AUSTRALIA: Sponsor Compliance and Publication of Sanctions

December 13, 2018

Effective 13 December 2018, enhanced integrity regulations have come into effect in Australia, allowing the immigration department to publicly list companies which have failed to satisfy a sponsorship obligation.

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SINGAPORE: New Administrative Fees from April 2019

December 12, 2018

Effective 1 April 2019, the application and issuance/renewal fees will be significantly increased for the Employment Pass, S Pass, Work Permit and other passes administered by the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore.

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INDIA: Increased Penalties for Late Registration and Late Visa Extension

December 11, 2018

Effective immediately, the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) has revised its penalty fees for late registration of foreign nationals, and for submission of visa extensions after visa expiry.

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INDONESIA: Change to Validity of RPTKA

December 11, 2018

Effective 10 December 2018, an RPTKA in Indonesia can only be valid for up to two years initially, rather than five as previously. After two years, the RPTKA can be extended for another period of two years, and after this for another one year.

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UNITED KINGDOM: No Suspension of Tier 1 (Investor); Publication of Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules [LATEST]

December 11, 2018

The UK has announced an upcoming Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules, to include several changes to Tier 1 routes. There are also reports that the Home Office has ‘’suspended the Tier 1 (Investor) route’’’ until further notice, but there is still no public announcement of this suspension.

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SWITZERLAND: Transitional Period for Croatians Extended to End of 2021

December 10, 2018

On 7 December 2018, the Swiss federal council announced it will maintain until 31 December 2021 the transitional provisions of Protocol III, which extended to Croatian nationals the Agreement on Free Movement of Persons (FMPA) between Switzerland and the European Union.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 10th December 2018

December 10, 2018

The latest global immigration news in your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. We bring you news from Singapore, Netherlands, USA, Malaysia, South Africa and Mexico. In our Company News, meet Enrique Arellano, Newland Chase Managing Director Mexico. plus NC holds a Brexit rounndtable with UKVI.

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UNITED KINGDOM: Citizens’ Rights Under the Withdrawal Agreement Versus a No-Deal Scenario

December 10, 2018

On 14 November 2018, the UK government reached an agreement with the European Union (EU) on the UK’s withdrawal from the EU. The deal, which still needs to be ratified by both the UK and European parliaments, includes arrangements about the legal status of EU citizens in the UK post Brexit.

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SOUTH AFRICA: Requirements for Travelling with Children Eased

December 5, 2018

Effective 1 December 2018, the "First Amendment of the Immigration Regulations, 2014" eases the requirements for parents and legal guardians travelling with children through South African ports of entry, which were first introduced in 2015.

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MALAYSIA: New Immigration Application Procedure for MIDA-Registered Companies

December 5, 2018

All new and renewal Employment Pass and Dependant Pass applications for companies with pre-approved positions under the Malaysia Investment Development Authority must be submitted via the the online Expatriate Services Division portal, rather than manually at the Immigration Unit at MIDA.

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NETHERLANDS: New Minimum Salary Levels for 2019

December 5, 2018

Effective 1 January 2019, the Dutch immigration authorities (IND) have announced new minimum salary levels for knowledge migrant workers (aka Highly Skilled Migrants), graduates and Blue Card applicants coming to the Netherlands.

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