Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
Malaysia: Visa exemption for Chinese and Indian citizens
On November 27, 2023, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced 30-day visa-free scheme for Chinese and Indian citizens linked to one of five initiatives under Malaysia’s new visa liberalisation plan. Malaysia’s visa liberalisation plan comes ahead of the Visit Malaysia Year in 2026, where the country intends to boost tourism and domestic spending.
The visa-free scheme will run for 1 year only from December 01, 2023 to December 31, 2024.
This is applicable to all citizens from China and India entering Malaysia for social or business visits only. For work or study purposes, Visa with Reference will still be required.
This summary was prepared using information from the Immigration Department of Malaysia
Introduction of Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC)
From December 01, 2023, onwards, foreigners visiting Malaysia for social/business purposes are required to submit the Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) within 3 days before their arrival.
The MDAC must be completed online at https://imigresen-online.imi.gov.my/mdac/main within three days of the date of arrival in Malaysia.
This is NOT applicable to the following:
- Malaysia Permanent Residents
- Malaysia Long Term Pass Holders, e.g. EP/DP/PVP/LTSVP/RPT/VPTE
- Malaysia Automated Clearance System (MACS) Holders
- Singaporean nationals are exempted from the completion of the digital arrival card
- Those transiting or transferring through Singapore without seeking immigration clearance.
Passport holder of the 10 countries listed below arriving at KLIA1/KLIA2 are eligible to use the egate facility to avoid congestion at the manual immigration checkpoint counters:
- Australia
- Brunei
- Germany
- Japan
- Korea
- New Zealand
- Saudi Arabia
- Singapore
- United States
- United Kingdom
First time egate users will need to enroll and verify their passport and biometrics at the manual counter upon arrival before using the egate for departure and subsequent visits.
This summary was prepared using information from the Immigration Department of Malaysia
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 Director of Immigration) and Debra Jane Beynon (Regional Immigration Manager, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Schengen Area: Border control prolonged
Last week some countries further extended their border checks, introduced in December 2023, based on Schengen Borders Code. The dates are as following.
- Italy, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia extended border controls into December 2023
- Czech Republic extended border controls into January 2024
- Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Norway, and Sweden extended border controls in April/May 2024.
Border guards may request identification documents and perform detailed checks of travellers crossing borders in affected Schengen countries. Travelers should carry their identification documents, and visa-exempt nationals who are not citizens of any of the Schengen countries should be mindful of their Schengen allowance days, as the limit for visa-exempt nationals remains at 90 days in a six-month period.
Travellers are advised that there might be delays at the border crossings due to the controls. It is crucial to carry identification documents, as border guards are preforming detailed checks.
This summary was prepared using information from the European Commission
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 Director of Immigration)
United Kingdom: New policies announced to cut net migration
On December 04, 2023, the Home Secretary unveiled a package of measures to reduce UK migration levels.
The proposed changes, five-point plan, are:
- Those coming to work on health and care visas in social care sector will not be allowed to bring dependents.
- The minimum salary threshold for skilled worker visa will increase from £26,200 pa to £38,700pa with exemption for health and social care visa workers.
- Ending the 20% salary discount for roles on the Shortage Occupation List and reforming the list.
- The minimum income requirement for family visas for British citizens and persons settled in the UK will increase from £18,600 pa to £38,700pa.
- Review of the graduate visa route to prevent abuse and to ensure it works in the best interests of the UK.
Further details and written statement of changes is awaited. The changes are expected to come into force in Spring.
This summary was prepared using information from the Government of UK
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 Director of Immigration) and Joanna Sogeke (Team Leader, EMEA).
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