Immigration Insights

CHILE: Post-arrival Temporary Residence Visa for Work Purposes to Be Discontinued

April 17, 2018

The Chilean Ministry of the Interior has announced that, effective 23 April 2018, it will discontinue the post-arrival temporary visa for work purposes, introduced in 2015.

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COLOMBIA: New Requirement for Minors Travelling by Air

April 17, 2018

Effective 26th April 2018, anyone travelling by air within or out of Colombia accompanied by a minor child of seven years or under must provide a copy of the child’s birth certificate.

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INDIA: E-Services Extended Nationally to All FRROs

April 16, 2018

Effective immediately, India’s Bureau of Immigration (BOI) has rolled out nationally its new e-FRRO system for online visa-related services.

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MOROCCO: Fewer Intra-Company Transfers Qualify for Exemption from Labour Market Testing

April 13, 2018

In the last few weeks, the Ministry of Labour in Morocco has tightened the qualifying criteria for the intra-company transfer work permit process.

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RUSSIA: New Notification Forms

April 12, 2018

Effective 20th April 2018, new forms will be introduced for notifying the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of the labour activity of foreign nationals.

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GHANA: New Employment Guidelines Released by Petroleum Commission

April 11, 2018

Effective 2nd June 2018. the Petroleum Commission (PC) has released new guidelines covering the employment of foreign nationals.

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Australian Immigration | What Does ‘De-Facto’ Actually Mean?

March 29, 2018

Have you ever wondered what the term ‘de facto’ partner actually means? Are you in a relationship with someone but you’re not really sure whether it can be called a de facto relationship? Newland Chase can give you a helping hand with this one.

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FROM AUSTRALIA WITH LOVE: Partner Visa Applications Simplified

February 14, 2018

You want to bring your spouse or partner with you to Australia. What goes into a successful Partner Visa application? A practical guide from one of Australia's leading specialty immigration firms. Key supporting documents and helpful tips for preparing your application.

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IRELAND: Irish Residence Permit Replaces GNIB Card

December 12, 2017

Effective 11th December 2017, the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has replaced the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) card with a new registration card called the Irish Residence Permit (IRP). Current GNIB card holders should not apply for a new IRP until their GNIB card expires (or is lost or stolen). What has changed? For registration […]

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UK: Statement of Changes in Immigration Rules from 10th August 2017

July 26, 2017

The government has published a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules made in order to comply with the Supreme Court judgment in MM (Lebanon) & Others. In February this year, the Supreme Court upheld the principle behind the Minimum Income threshold which requires a UK citizen or a settled person to demonstrate a minimum […]

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Going Global: 12 Best Countries to Expand Your Business Internationally

January 26, 2017

On December 21, Forbes magazine published its annual “Best Countries for Business” list for 2017, ranking the “business friendliness” of 139 countries based on 11 factors covering the legal and economic aspects impacting business. As Newland Chase prepares for the new year ahead, we reviewed this year’s list with interest and were encouraged to find […]

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SWITZERLAND: Free Movement Agreement Extended to Croatians

January 20, 2017

On 16th December 2016, The Swiss Government extended the free movement of people agreement to Croatia following parliament's approval of a law on European Union immigration and jobs; this came into effect on 1st January 2017. The announcement follows the…

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PERU: Recent Changes to Documentation Requirements

January 20, 2017

From 23rd December 2016, certain changes were made to supporting document requirements for both ÒDesignated WorkerÓ visas (temporary visas for assignees) and residence visas for locally hired foreign workers. Designated Worker Visa Employers preparing assignment letters for foreign national employees assigned to Peru must now request a duration of stay not exceeding the duration of the service agreement with the local Peruvian host company. Previously, the requested duration of assignment could exceed the duration of the service agreement. The maximum duration of an assignment remains one year. Local-Hire Work Visa For authentication of the employment contract of a foreign national hired locally by a Peruvian company, if the contract is signed by an individual other than the General Manager, the immigration authorities will now accept a notarised affidavit that the signatory is a legal representative of the company and has the authority to sign the contract on behalf of the employer. Previously, the Peruvian immigration office required a legalised copy of the power of attorney (ÒVigencia de PoderÓ) of the legal representative. No authentication document is required if the contract is signed by the General Manager of the Peruvian Company. Our advice Employers sending foreign nationals on assignment to Peru should ensure that hey request a duration of stay which does not exceed the duration of the service agreement with the Peruvian host company. Peruvian employers hiring foreign national workers should ensure that an employment contract signed by anyone other than the General Manager is supported by an affidavit that the signatory is a legal representative of the company, rather than by a power of attorney. For further information on Peruvian immigration, please contact us at [email protected].

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SWITZERLAND: Free Movement Agreement Extended to Croatians

January 20, 2017

On 16th December 2016, The Swiss Government extended the free movement of people agreement to Croatia following parliament's approval of a law on European Union immigration and jobs; this came into effect on 1st January 2017. The announcement follows the…

Read More

PERU: Recent Changes to Documentation Requirements

January 20, 2017

From 23rd December 2016, certain changes were made to supporting document requirements for both ÒDesignated WorkerÓ visas (temporary visas for assignees) and residence visas for locally hired foreign workers. Designated Worker Visa Employers preparing assignment letters for foreign national employees assigned to Peru must now request a duration of stay not exceeding the duration of the service agreement with the local Peruvian host company. Previously, the requested duration of assignment could exceed the duration of the service agreement. The maximum duration of an assignment remains one year. Local-Hire Work Visa For authentication of the employment contract of a foreign national hired locally by a Peruvian company, if the contract is signed by an individual other than the General Manager, the immigration authorities will now accept a notarised affidavit that the signatory is a legal representative of the company and has the authority to sign the contract on behalf of the employer. Previously, the Peruvian immigration office required a legalised copy of the power of attorney (ÒVigencia de PoderÓ) of the legal representative. No authentication document is required if the contract is signed by the General Manager of the Peruvian Company. Our advice Employers sending foreign nationals on assignment to Peru should ensure that hey request a duration of stay which does not exceed the duration of the service agreement with the Peruvian host company. Peruvian employers hiring foreign national workers should ensure that an employment contract signed by anyone other than the General Manager is supported by an affidavit that the signatory is a legal representative of the company, rather than by a power of attorney. For further information on Peruvian immigration, please contact us at [email protected].

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GHANA: Update regarding Annual Returns and Work Permit Applications

January 11, 2017

Deadline Imminent for Submitting Annual Returns of Foreign Workers All Ghanaian companies that employ foreign national workers must submit an annual return by the deadline of 14th January 2017. The return must state names and addresses of all foreign nationals…

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USA: Proposed Changes to H-1B Visa Programme

January 11, 2017

A new bill proposing changes to the H1B visa programme has been re-introduced in the US Congress. This bill supports one of the key changes that President-elect Donald Trump had announced during his campaign to curb “abuse” of H1B visas, with the aim…

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USA: Trump Administration’s Stance on Business Immigration

December 27, 2016

It is largely publicised in the US that President-elect Trump and his new administration will not only focus on illegal immigration, but also on legal business immigration. The President-elect cannot change the existing immigration laws without Congressional action; however, he will have the ability to change certain policies or executive orders without the involvement of Congress.

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Brexit: How Will This Affect UK Nationals Living in the EU?

December 23, 2016

At this stage it is impossible to predict how the rights of UK nationals living in remaining EU states will be affected, as UK policy towards EU nationals and the terms of the UK’s Withdrawal Agreement – once agreed – will impact EU immigration policy towards UK nationals.

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Investment Visa Options: Singapore Global Investor Programme

December 23, 2016

Continuing with our series on immigration through investment, the Singapore Global Investor Programme appears as a highly attractive option for those looking to relocate to Asia. Investors interested in starting up businesses or investing in Singapore can apply for the Singapore Permanent Residence status through this Investor Programme.

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