Immigration weekly update: May 05, 2022

Immigration news update for Malaysia, Sweden and more


Asia-Pacific

Malaysia: New Standard Operating  Phase (SOP) – Endemic Phase

Malaysia entered an endemic phase from April 1, 2022, due to effective Covid 19 prevention measures, public health control and the vaccination program. Considering the Covid-19 condition in Malaysia, a new standard operation procedure is in place.

COVID-19 SOP relaxation from May 1, 2022:

  • Masks:
    • Mandatory indoors including public transports and e-hailing rides.
    • Optional when outdoors but encouraged in crowded places. High risk individuals are also encouraged to wear a mask.
  • Physical distancing: No longer required
  • COVID-19 positive (test and release):
    • By default, COVID-19 positive cases are required to quarantine for seven days. However, under test and release, they will have an option to undergo a supervised RTK-Ag test on the fourth day. If tested negative, they may be released from quarantine.
  • Travel:
    • Fully vaccinated travellers and children aged 12 and below are exempted from pre-departure and on-arrival tests.
    • Partially or not vaccinated travellers must take an RT-PCR test 2 days before departure and a supervised RTK-Ag test within 24 hours of arrival. They will also have to quarantine for five days.
    • COVID-19 insurance is no longer required for all travellers entering Malaysia.
  • Negative list:
    • The national security Council’s negative list is no longer applicable. Al economic sectors are allowed to operate from May 15, 2022.

Further details for travelers entering Malaysia can be found here.

This summary was prepared using information obtained from Channel News Asia.

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

European Union: Visa exemption for Kuwait and Qatar citizens

The European Commission has proposed to lift visa requirements for Kuwait and Qatar nationals, pointing out that Kuwait and Qatar already met the necessary criteria. They will be able to travel to all EU member states, including to the four EU non-Schengen countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus and Romania, and four associated countries: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, for short days up to 90 days in any 180-day period for business, tourism, and family purposes, exempted from visa application requirements.

This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Schengen Visainfo News.

Sweden: New immigration law

The Swedish parliament approved a new immigration law that will take effect in Sweden from June 1, 2022. The new law introduces a new residence permit type for highly qualified jobseekers and start-ups, leniency for administrative mistakes, employer contract must be submitted as an attached to a Work Permit application, any changes to employment terms must be reported, etc. Further information related to the new proposal can be found here.

This summary was prepared using information obtained from Sveriges Riksdag.

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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