Immigration Insights

SWITZERLAND: New Integration and Language Requirements for Residence Permits

September 3, 2018

The Swiss Federal Council has approved a package of legislative amendments which, effective 1 January 2019, will allow the authorities to demand that foreign nationals applying for residence permits sign a cultural integration agreement and demonstrate a certain level of language skill.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 28th August 2018

August 28, 2018

Discover the latest immigration news and updates from around the globe with your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. In this week’s edition, we bring you news from Australia and Ireland, and a 5 minute quick read of the EU Posted Worker requirements.

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EU Posted Worker Requirements… in 5 Minutes

August 23, 2018

Confused about the EU’s Posted Worker Directives? Get the vital basics in this 5-minute-read. 

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IRELAND: Immigration Authorities Announce Closure of Appointment System for Re-entry Visas

August 23, 2018

Effective 3 September 2018, the online appointment booking service for visa-required nationals seeking re-entry visas from the Re-entry Division of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) will cease to operate. All applications must be submitted by post.

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AUSTRALIA: New Labour Market Testing Requirements

August 22, 2018

Effective 12 August 2018, several changes have been introduced to the Labour Market Testing (LMT) requirements for the Temporary Skill Shortage (Subclass 482) visa in Australia.

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LUXEMBOURG: Minimum Wage Increases

August 21, 2018

Effective 1 August 2018, the statutory minimum wage in Luxembourg has increased by 2.5%, Wages in Luxembourg are pegged to the cost of living (consumer price inflation).

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 21st August 2018

August 21, 2018

Discover the latest immigration news and updates from around the globe with your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. In this week’s edition, we bring you news from Singapore and Luxembourg, plus read part two of our blog series focusing on the UK's Tier 2 quota.

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SINGAPORE: Upcoming New Housing Checks for Work Pass Holders

August 21, 2018

Effective 14 September 2018, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) in Singapore will check work pass applicants’ residential addresses when issuing passes.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 14th August 2018

August 15, 2018

Discover the latest immigration news and updates from around the globe with your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. In this week’s edition, we bring you news from China, Saudi Arabia, Thailand and Kazakhstan.

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The UK’s Tier 2 Quota: Stepping Down from the Carousel

August 15, 2018

UK Immigration expert, Antonio Lam, offers insight into the current shortages, shortcomings, and solutions for both government and business in the United Kingdom's Tier 2 visa program for foreign workers. Part 2 of a two-part series.

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AUSTRALIA: Character Issues and the Fraud Criterion in Visa Applications

August 15, 2018

How do you answer the question - 'Have you ever been convicted of an offence?' - on an Australia Visa application? Or on an 'Incoming Passenger Card'? If you answer incorrectly, character and fraud issues may impact future applications for visas, work permits, permanent residency, & citizenship.

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THAILAND: Single Window System for Work Permits and Visas Implemented Early

August 14, 2018

Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) now requires BOI-promoted companies applying for work permits or long-term visas at the Bangkok One-Stop Service Centre (OSSC), or in Chiang Mai or Phuket, to submit applications via its new Single Window online system for streamlined initial and renewal work permit and visa applications.

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KAZAKHSTAN: Recent Changes to Entry and Visa Rules

August 14, 2018

Several laws have taken effect recently in Kazakhstan which amend the regulations for obtaining visas and visa invitations, as well as the rules of entry to Kazakhstan for foreign nationals who arrive on a visa.

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SAUDI ARABIA: Foreign Nationals Require Registered Rental Agreement for Work Permit Renewal

August 13, 2018

From September 2018, foreign national residents looking to renew their work permits in Saudi Arabia must have a rental contract authenticated and registered with the new Ejar online rental platform, according to the Saudi Ministry of Labour and Social Development (MLSD) and the Ministry of Housing.

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The UK’s Tier 2 Quota: The Carousel That Keeps Spinning?

August 8, 2018

UK Immigration expert, Antonio Lam, offers insight into the current shortages, shortcomings, and solutions for both government and business in the United Kingdom's Tier 2 visa program for foreign workers. Part 1 of a two-part series.

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CHINA: Plans Announced to Eliminate Mainland Work Permit Requirement for Workers from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan

August 7, 2018

The Chinese government announced that it plans to abolish the work permit requirement for Chinese residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan hired to work in mainland China. Further details are expected to be announced by the government within the next few weeks.

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AUSTRALIA: Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) Levy Launches 12 August

August 6, 2018

Legislation released today announced that the Skilling Australians Fund (SAF) levy will be payable for employer-sponsored nomination applications effective 12 August 2018.

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Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 6th August 2018

August 6, 2018

Discover the latest immigration news and updates from around the globe with your weekly newsletter from Newland Chase. In this week’s edition, we bring you news from

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ESTONIA: Amendments to Immigration Law Exempt Top Specialists from Quota

August 3, 2018

Effective 15 July 2018, extensive amendments have been made to the Aliens Act aimed at encouraging highly-skilled foreign specialists and combatting the illegal employment of foreign nationals.

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POLAND: Almost 200 Occupations Now Exempt from Labour Market Testing

August 3, 2018

Effective 1 July 2018, new regulations in Poland allow non-EU nationals to apply for work permits for almost two hundred occupations without the requirement to first obtain confirmation from the labour office.

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