Germany: Skilled immigration act
The new Immigration Act for skilled workers came into effect on March 1, 2020. A skilled worker is defined as a third-country national with a university degree, or other vocational qualification; they not only work in occupations that require a university degree, but also in other specialist context for which vocational, non-academic training is normally required.
Impact
This Act allows candidates with a specific job offer and recognized qualification (ANABIN) to access all occupations for which they are qualified. They are no longer limited to a shortage occupation only.
Skilled workers are now allowed to enter Germany and commence employment parallel with the qualification recognition process. The new Act also waves the labor market test and the employment of unqualified or low-qualified foreign workers is no longer possible.
Employers can now initiate an accelerated process for skilled workers at the local immigration office. This means that employers can act on behalf of employees in order to conclude an agreement with the immigration authority, authorize initiation of the qualification recognition procedure, and if required, obtain a pre-approval from the Federal Employment Agency.
The immigration office must inform the respective German foreign mission about upcoming visa applications. It is expected that the process for obtaining a German national visa will take approximately six weeks.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from Peregrine Immigration Management.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
Coronavirus updates:
AMER:
Costa Rica: All foreigners residing, or with a valid immigration condition, in the country will lose immigration status if they leave national territory. More info at: Q Costa Rica.
Peru: The National superintendence of Migrations of Peru suspends administrative deadlines and fines for excess of permanence until the end of State of Emergency. More info at: Migraciones (in Spanish).
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Roberta Carnaccini, Global Operations Director, Immigration.
APAC:
Australia: Â Entry ban imposed for citizens and non-residents except Australian citizens, permanent residents and their direct family members, and New Zealand citizens who reside in Australia. More info at: Australian Government Department of Home Affairs.
China:
- Shanghai: Authorities announce changes to the official list of high-risk areas. All arrivals regardless of origin and destination will be required to undergo a 14-day quarantine. More info: National Immigration Service (in Chinese).
- Beijing:Â All international flights destined for Beijing will divert to 12 designated entry points. Arrivals will undergo medical quarantine, immigration formalities and luggage clearance. More info at: National Immigration Administration (in Chinese).
- Zhejiang province: All inbound travelers from all countries and regions are required to undergo 14-day centralized quarantine. More info at: Gov.cn. (in Chinese).
- Flight restrictions are also in place. More info at: Civil Aviation Administration of China (in Chinese).
- All foreign nationals (ordinary visas or residence permits, APEC Business Travel Cards, Port Visa application, Visa free policies) are temporarily banned from entry. More info at: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (in Chinese).
- All arrivals into the Guangdong Province, regardless of nationality or origin, are required to undergo nucleic acid testing and a mandatory 14-day centralized quarantine. More info at: China Court (in Chinese).
Hong Kong: Foreigners are now banned from entry. Closure of all Immigration Control Points between Mainland China and Hong Kong SAR except Shenzhen Bay, Hong Kong-Zhui Hai Macau Bridge, and Hong Kong International Airport. New visa applications for employment and training visas will not be accepted and compulsory quarantine applies to all arrivals from any overseas countries/territories. Please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager for more info.
India: Entry travel ban imposed for certain countries until Mach 31, 2020. All OCI cardholders are also banned from entry until April 15, 2020. Lockdown is extended until April 14, 2020, and suspension on all international passenger airline services until April 14, 2020. More info at: Business Today and The Economic Times.
Indonesia: Entry and transit ban on visitors who have traveled to the following countries in the last 14 days: China, France, Germany, Iran, Italy, Spain, South Korea (from Daegu and Gyeongsangbuk-do Province), Switzerland, U.K. and Vatican. Suspension of visas-on-arrival (VOA), visa exemption, and diplomatic/service visa-free facility for all countries. Please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager for more info.
Japan: Entry ban for Mainland Chinese nationals with passports issued in Hubei or Zhejiang Province, and foreign nationals who have visited or stayed in the following areas 14 days prior to arrival: Iran, Italy, Switzerland, Spain and South Korea. Visas issued by Japanese Consular posts in the Schengen countries, Andorra, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Egypt, Iran, Ireland, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, the United Kingdom and Vatican on or before March 20, 2020, are now invalid. Visa exemptions for British National (Overseas), Hong Kong SAR, Macau SAR or South Korea passport holders are suspended (except Japan Residence Card holders). Visa exemptions for Schengen countries, Andorra, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Ireland, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, and United Kingdom passport holders are also suspended until April 30, 2020. Please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager for more info.
Malaysia: The government extends movement control order to April 14, 2020. All immigration offices including MDEC, ESD are closed until April 14, and online applications can be submitted but no outcome will be released until further notice. More info at: Immigration Department of Malaysia.
New Zealand: Temporary visas due to expire between April 2 and July 9, 2020, will be automatically extended to late September. Those expiring before April 1, 2020, must apply online for a new visa and an interim visa will be issued. Please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager for more info.
Philippines: Filipinos, their foreign spouse and children (with documentary proof), accredited foreign government and international organization officials, and foreign airline crew members can enter the country during a temporary travel ban. More info at: Bureau of Immigration.
Singapore: All short-terms visitors will not be allowed to enter or transit through Singapore. Citizens, permanent residents and long-term pass holders (Student Pass, Dependent Pass, Work Pass) and foreign employees/dependents must submit health declaration forms online. Â More info at: Immigration and Checkpoint Authority Cooperate.
South Korea: Entry ban for foreign nationals who have visited or resided in Hubei Province and Chinese nationals holding a passport within 14 days of entry. Suspension of visa waiver for Japanese passport holders, with some very limited exceptions (aircraft/vessel crew and transit passengers). Validity suspension for all existing single- and multiple-entry visas issued to Japanese nationals. This does not affect Korean long-term visas issued to Japanese nationals who are holding Korean Alien Registration Cards. Visas are now required for transit through South Korea for Mainland Chinese nationals and visa nationals arriving from Mainland China (with some exceptions). Passengers arriving from any country may be subject to quarantine procedures. Please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager for more info.
Thailand: Authorities order all shopping malls and markets to close. Thai Air, Bangkok Airways and Nok Air are no longer flying internationally. Any foreign arrival must complete medical forms and provide test certificates issued within 48 hours. All foreign nationals will be banned at all entry points. This will remain in place until April 30, 2020. More info at: Business Traveller.
Vietnam: All approvals for new work permits are suspended. Immigration Department will only approve a single entry three-month visa. All foreigners are banned from entry, including those with a Vietnamese visa exemption certificate. If entry is allowed, individuals must comply with the 14-day quarantine and provide a Certificate of Negative COVID-19. More info at: Vietnam Briefing and Ministry of Health (in Vietnamese).
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).
EMEA:
Greece: The government of Greece announces full lockdown as at March 23, 2020, with a penalty of 150 Euros for non-compliance. More info at: Prime Minister.
Switzerland: Entry restrictions extended to all countries except the Principality of Liechtenstein. Only Swiss citizens, persons with a residence or cross-border permit in Switzerland or who are in a situation of absolute necessity (death of a family member, continuation of urgent medical treatments, etc.) can enter. More info at:Â The Federal Council (in German).
UAE: UAE citizens (immediate family members), diplomatic passport holders and domestic helpers of UAE nationals with UAE-API clearance will be allowed to enter the country. Employment and residence visas will no longer be stamped on the applicant’s and dependent’s passports, the entire process will be completed online. Medical fitness test centers are closed until further notice. Amer services and the Immigration Office are closed until April 9, 2020. Visa applications can be processed online through the app or immigration website. Please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager for more info.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
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