Immigration news for AMER, APAC and EMEA regions
Americas
Colombia: New nationality-based visa category and permanent residence
Colombia has implemented the Andean Migrant Visa (Visa Migrante Andino), allowing nationals of Bolivia, Ecuador and their families to live and work in Colombia for up to two years. The new category exempts the candidate from having a company sponsorship. Based on the Andean Immigration Statute, nationals from Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru have the option to apply for permanent residence after two years. The application must be presented at least 90-days before the expiration of their Andean Migrant Visa and applicants must show economic solvency.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores – Cancilleria (in Spanish).
Mexico: Updates for the Visitor Visa
From January 21, 2022, Mexico requires Venezuelan nationals to obtain a Visitor Visa at a consular post before entering the country for tourism and / or business purposes. The Visitor Visa allows for a maximum stay of up to six months and requires additional documents such as a business letter, round-trip tickets, proof of accommodation, and proof of financial means to cover the entire stay. Travelers holding permanent residence or a valid visa for Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, or any Schengen Area country may still be visa exempt.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Embassy of Mexico in Venezuela (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.
Asia-Pacific
China: Additional Updating Process at Entry Exit Bureau for Change of Entity
Once a Shanghai-registered company has undergone an entity name change as reflected on an updated business license, all foreign personnel and their dependents must update their registration details at the Entry-Exit Bureau within 30 days of the updated business license being issued. This can be done through presenting all the original passports on site, there is no need for them to go in person.
Failure to update the name change within 30 days will mean the affected person will have to go in person to the Entry-Exit Bureau to explain the situation and risk being fined and / or a record made.
Previously, only updating the Work Permit information was sufficient and there was no requirement to update the Residence Permit. For compliance, Crown recommends that both Work and Residence Permit be updated with the new entity name as soon as the new business license is available.
No source available at time of writing.
Isolation requirements before flight to China – updated
Following our last update, arrivals from Australia and New Zealand must be self-isolated before their departure so they can be qualified for the green Health Declaration Code in order to board a flight to China.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Embassy of China in Australia and New Zealand.
India: Flight ban extension
The Government of India has extended the scheduled incoming and outgoing international flight ban until February 28, 2022. This ban shall not apply to international cargo operations and international flights under existing Air Bubble Agreements.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Economic Times.
Thailand: Covid-19 update
The Centre for Covid-19 Situation Administration (CCSA) decided to resume the “TEST & GO quarantine-free scheme” from February 1, 2022, onwards. Fully vaccinated travelers from any country can apply for a TEST & GO Thailand Pass 60 days in advance.
Pre-arrival requirements:
All travelers must have the following documents for entering Thailand:
- A Thailand Pass, which can be applied for here. *The system will reopen for new TEST & GO applications from February 1, 2022.
- A Medical Certificate with an RT-PCR lab result indicating that Covid-19 is not detected, issued no more than 72 hours before traveling.
- An insurance policy with coverage no less than USD 50,000.
- A proof of pre-payment for two separate nights of accommodation at government-approved hotel(s), such as, SHA Extra Plus (SHA++), AQ, OQ, or AHQ on Day 1 and Day 5, and the expenses for two RT-PCR tests on Day 1 and Day 5. The pre-payment for Day 1 must include accommodation, a test, and a pre-arranged transfer from the airport to the hotel.
- A certificate of Covid-19 vaccination / recovery.
All travelers must undergo “exit screening” at the point of departure, i.e., at the airline check-in counter. Here they will present the required documents to those carrying out the checks.
On-arrival requirements / during the stay
- All travelers must undergo “entry screening”, including a body temperature check at the point of entry.
- Present the required documents to the Immigration / Health Control officer to carry out the checks, then proceed through the Immigration procedures.
- Proceed to the pre-arranged accommodation or medical facility to undergo the first RT-PCR test. The trip must be by a pre-arranged vehicle on a sealed route. Then, all travelers must wait for the test result within the hotel only. Travelers under six years of age, traveling with parents, can have a saliva test.
- All travelers must download and install the MorChana application and set it on at all times for the Covid-19 pre-cautionary measures and to record the result on Day 5-6 in the application.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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).
Europe, Middle east and Africa
Poland: New regulations improving immigration processes
The Polish government has published changes to national legislation regarding stay and work permits for foreign nationals.
Key changes include:
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- New priority entry paths for visa applicants from specific countries and other specific groups.
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- Workers will have their Permit application expedited, if they are employed by an entity of strategic importance for the Polish economy, as determined by the relevant ministry.
- Priority processing will be implemented for visa applicants from specific countries and professions.
- Streamlined visa processes for Ukrainian nationals.
The elimination of some temporary residence and work permit process requirements such as:
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- Foreign workers will be able to use their current Single Permit when changing employers upon submission of an amendment opposed to applying for a new permit.
- Permit applications will no longer need to include confirmation of accommodation, health insurance or sufficient means to support them and family members.
- Children who are under 18 when submitting a family reunification application under the Blue Card process, but who turn 18 years of age while the application is in process will still be able to receive a family reunification residence permit.
New deadlines for the adjudication of specific types of visas / residence permits:
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- The standard processing time for temporary residence permits will be two months. The current processing time may take any time between five months and two years depending on the region of Poland.
- The standard processing times for permanent residence permits and long-term EU residence permits will be six months. The current processing time is much longer.
- Appeals for both permanent and temporary permits will be required to be adjudicated within three months. Currently, it can take any time between 12 and 18 months or more.
These changes are expected to be implemented by the end of January 2022 and are meant to streamline the immigration application process to help revive the Polish economy.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Government of Poland (in Polish).
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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