Immigration Insights

September 10, 2018

On 4 September 2018 the main offices of the General Directorate of Migration in San Jose were closed after a raid by the Judicial Investigation Directorate. [UPDATE] Despite an indefinite strike of public-sector workers, due to start on 10 September 2018, the DGME offices will be open as normal.

September 10, 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 New Zealand, China, Spain and Iraq.

September 7, 2018

Currently, Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is experiencing delays in the processing of applications for visas under the Entrepreneur’s Act (14/2013) due to staff shortages, as well as ongoing delays in processing of residence authorisations.

September 7, 2018

As we reported in August, the Chinese government has abolished the work permit requirement for residents of Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan (HMT residents). Effective 1 September 2018, HMT residents can voluntarily apply for a new mainland residence card.

September 7, 2018

Effective immediately, interim visas in New Zealand are valid for 21 days after a temporary entry visa application is declined or withdrawn.

September 6, 2018

On Tuesday 4 September 2018 the main offices of the General Directorate of Migration (DGME) in San Jose, Costa Rica, were closed after a raid by the Judicial Investigation Directorate (O.I.J.).

September 6, 2018

Is NAFTA dead? Examining recent developments in the NAFTA negotiations, the new bilateral deal between the U.S. and Mexico, the prospects for a deal including Canada, whether President Trump can really kill NAFTA, and what it means for corporate mobility and immigration in North America.

September 6, 2018

On 4 September 2018, Iraq’s Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced several important changes to the immigration rules.

September 5, 2018

On 25 July 2018, the Brazil National Immigration Council published Normative Resolution 30/2018 regulating procedures for the renewal of residence authorisation for foreign professionals, effective immediately.

September 4, 2018

Support staff in the consular sections of all Israeli diplomatic missions worldwide have gone on strike, resulting in a suspension of operations. The duration of the strike has not been announced.

September 4, 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 the USA, Israel, Switzerland and Germany.

September 4, 2018

The German immigration authorities (Ausländerbehörde) will require official evaluation of university diplomas submitted in support of EU Blue Card applications, according to the Frankfurt authorities, who are already implementing this new rule.

September 3, 2018

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that it is extending and expanding the previously announced temporary suspension of premium processing for cap-subject H-1B petitions.

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.

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.

August 23, 2018

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

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.

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.

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).

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.