Immigration news update for AMER and APAC region
Americas
United States: Entry requirements to be lifted
The U.S. government has announced that entry requirements would be lifted from June 12, 2022, meaning international travelers would no longer be required to show a negative Covid 19 test result prior to their flight. However, a reassessment of the rule is expected in 90 days if a new variant emerges.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the ABC news.
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.
Asia-Pacific
China: PU Letters no longer required for Z/S/Q Visas
On June 6, 2022, China’s Foreign Affairs Office announced that there is no longer the need to apply for a PU Invitation Letter for applicants intending to:
Categories of Visa | Description | Required Documents |
Z-Visa | Issued to those who intend to work in China | Effective “Notification Letter of Foreigner’s Work Permit” or the original “Foreigner’s Work Permit” |
S1-Visa
S2-Visa |
Issued to spouse, parents, children under the age of 18, parents of the spouse of the holder of a Z visa or work category residence permit.
|
1. Original certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, certification of kinship or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of immediate family members between applicants and inviting individual.
2. An invitation letter from the inviting individual (a foreigner who stays or resides in China for work). 3. A photocopy of the inviting individual’s passport and residence permit. Note: If an adult child and his/her spouse apply for a Family Visit (S2) visa, in addition to the above documents, they must submit the appropriate statement of circumstances as required by the consular officer |
Q1-Visa
Q2-Visa |
Issued to foreign family members of Chinese citizens or foreign family members of foreigners with permanent residence status in China.
Note: Family members” refers to spouses, parents, parents-in-law, children, spouses of children, brothers and sisters, grandparents and grandchildren. |
1. Certification (marriage certificate, birth certificate, household register, certification of kinship issued by Public Security Bureau or notarized certification of kinship) showing the relationship of family members between applicant and inviting individual.
2. An invitation letter issued by a Chinese citizen or a foreign citizen with a Chinese permanent residence permit who lives in China. 3. Proof of the inviting individual’s Chinese identity (e.g. Chinese ID card, household register), or foreigner’s passport and Chinese permanent residence permit . |
The policy currently indicates that M/F business and commercial visas would still need a PU Letter to apply. Student visas are likewise not being issued except for South Koreans and by special government arrangement. Qualified visa applicants must be vaccinated with either Chinese or WHO approved vaccines prior to entry. Some countries require a booster while some have not specified and for those who are unable to be vaccinated, it is highly recommended to get in touch with the relevant embassy to double check.
Corresponding confirmations from the different Chinese embassies are still forthcoming. The ones who have confirmed the waiving of the PU Letter requirement for Z/S/Q visas are Austria, Denmark, Indonesia, Italy, Hong Kong, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and South Korea, the US and Vietnam. Other embassies and visa centers are expected to follow.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Chinese embassy in France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea (available in Chinese, Dutch and English).
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).
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