Global immigration updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
India: Resumed Tourist Visa
Following our last update, the “Tourist Visa” has resumed for individual tourists traveling to India. This commenced on November 15, 2021, meaning that more than 99 countries are now free from quarantine.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Hindu News.
Singapore: Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) – update
The VTL scheme has been extended to more countries:
- Entry from India and Indonesia to Singapore from November 29, 2021. The Vaccinated Travel Pass (VTP) applications commenced on November 22, 2021.
- Entry from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to Singapore from December 6, 2021. VTP applications will commence on November 29, 2021.
Summary of the VTL countries: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Denmark, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Added to the list for entry effective on November 29, 2021, will be Finland, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sweden and for entry effective on December 6, 2021, will be Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
Vaccination requirements for VTL scheme: To be eligible for entry under the VTL scheme, travelers will be required to have the accepted proof of vaccination issued in any VTL country / region or Singapore. For long-term pass holders, travelers must obtain the Vaccination Health Certificate issued from Singapore via Notarise (Single Pass Access required). This Vaccination Certificate with a QR code must be uploaded during the application for a VTP.
Unvaccinated children aged 12 and below in the calendar year may enter Singapore on the VTL.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Immigration and Checkpoint authority.
Sri Lanka: New rules for the Residence Visa
The Sri Lankan government will be introducing new rules that will increase visa validities and relax requirements for Residence Visas. The changes include:
- Residence Visa applicants will be able to apply for visas with a validity of up to five years. This is extended from the current two years.
- Immigration authorities managing applications will have the discretion to grant Residence Visas. These will be valid for more than five years but not exceeding ten years, up from the current five year limit.
- Applicants already in Sri Lanka who used a visa on arrival protocol and did not enter with a formal entry visa, will no longer be required to exit, and re-enter Sri Lanka on an Entry Visa before they can convert to a Residence Visa, as currently required.
The government has not provided an effective date for the changes.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Department of Immigration and Emigration.
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
Ireland: Expired Residence Card accepted when returning to the country
The Irish Minister for Justice has extended immigration permissions for all non-nationals who were legally in the State on March 20, 2020, to January 15, 2022, in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.
From November 15, 2021, non-nationals living in Ireland with an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card that expired on or after March 20, 2020, may use these expired cards as proof of their entitlement to re-enter the country until January 15, 2022.
The Minister is also suspending the re-entry visa requirement for minors under 16 years from November 15, 2021, to January 15, 2022. Passengers with a single-entry visa and a prior landing stamp, who do not have an expired IRP card, will require a re-entry visa to travel back to Ireland.
Passengers with a valid in-date multi-entry visa can travel. Diplomats holding valid Irish credentials from the Department of Foreign Affairs are no longer required to have a re-entry visa for travel to Ireland until further notice.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Department of Justice.
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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