The impact of Coronavirus on global immigration
APAC
Philippines: Enhanced community quarantine over Luzon extended until April 30, 2020. More info at: CNN Philippines
Thailand:
- The Civil Aviation Authority Thailand (CAAT) extends three-day inbound flight ban to April 18, 2020. More info at: Bangkok Post
- Visa On Arrival (VOA) and Visa Waiver International holders with expirations dated after March 26 automatically extended until April 30, 2020. Foreigners due for 90-day reporting between March 26 – April 30 are also temporarily exempt until further notice. Border Pass holders are allowed to stay until further notice. However, they must depart Thailand within seven days of border crossings re-opening. Please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
Singapore:
Additional safe distancing measures are in place:
- The Employment Pass Services Centre (EPSC) and Hall C of MOM Services Centre are closed until further notice. Pass holders unable to proceed with card registration or collection can remain in Singapore with Notification Letters or Card Replacement Letters.
- Work pass holders who telecommute or work in essential services can commence work with the above letters.
- Card delivery services are suspended. Passes expiring between April 6 – May 5 are automatically extended until June 5, 2020. If a pass is cancelled and a longer stay is required, extension of stay may be requested.
- All pass holders are given up to three months to complete their medical examinations. Employees can still proceed to get their passes issued or renewed without their medical results. To help employers defer bringing foreigners into Singapore, MOM will automatically extend all IPAs by two months.
- All Singapore Citizens, Permanent Residents and Long-Term Pass holders returning from ASEAN countries, France, India and Switzerland are required to serve a 14-day self-isolation at dedicated Stay-Home Notice (SHN) government facilities.
Please contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
South Korea: The government temporarily suspends visa waiver programs for citizens from 90 countries currently imposing entry bans/limits on South Korean citizens. Citizens must obtain a proper visa as visa-free entry will not be permitted until further notice, and all 90-day visas issued before April 5 will now be considered invalid. Short-term visa holders must reapply for a new one before traveling to South Korea. More info at: Consulate General of the Republic of Korea, The Korea Herald and Yonhap News Agency.
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
Austria:
- Austrians, holders of Austrian visas, residence permits and other residence documents are obliged to self-quarantine for 14 days upon arrival. Other nationals cannot enter; some exceptions apply: diplomatic corps, employees of international organizations, official humanitarian emergency forces, caregivers, transit passengers and anyone necessary for the distributions of goods.
- Both EU citizens and third-country nationals re-entering Austria from Germany, Italy, Hungary, Liechtenstein and Slovenia need to present a medical certificate showing negative COVID-19 (no older than four days).
- Foreign nationals coming from any country where a travel warning has been issued must present a medical certificate showing a negative result for COVID-19 infection (no older than four days).
- All Embassy and consulate Austrian Visa departments, as well as the offices of the Austrian Immigration Authorities, are closed until further notice.
Please contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
Switzerland: The Federal Council extends measures in place until April 26. Criteria for easing the measures are the number of new infections, hospital admissions and deaths. 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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