Americas
Panama: New immigration scheme benefits multinational companies in manufacturing industry
The Special Regime for the Establishment and Operation of Multinational Companies will introduce a new immigration law as of December 1, 2020. This will provide tax and labor benefits, new visa categories for foreign national employees, and shorter processing times for companies from the same economic group to settle in Panama.
There will be two visa categories for temporary and permanent workers of manufacturing (EMMA) companies, in which the temporary can be used for providing operational or training services and the permanent will be for executives to cover administrative or executive functions.
Also, a training center must be established to ensure foreign national employees pass their skills to Panamanian workers. Permanent residence will be eligible to foreign nationals and their dependents after working in any EMMA company for five years.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Gaceta official (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, Immigration.
Asia-Pacific
China: Chinese Work Permit holders can re-enter China
All holders of valid Residence Permits under work, personal matters and reunion can now re-enter China without applying for a separate entry visa.
Residence Permits that have expired after March 28, 2020, may be presented at the China visa center to apply for re-entry, providing the purpose of stay has not changed. Note: Study-type Residence Permits are not covered under the current announcement.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the National Immigration Administration (in Chinese).
Malaysia: Quarantine changes
The Ministry of Defense has announced that foreign nationals who enter Malaysia must pay full fees for mandatory quarantine. However, the government will continue to subsidize the operational costs for Malaysians.
| No. | Category | Cost |
| 1 | Fixed charge (Quarantine Center Operation) | MYR 2,600 |
| 2 | Accommodation cost for the first individual | MYR 150 / night |
| 3 | Accommodation cost for persons two and three sharing a room with the first individual (e.g. spouses, individuals with health problems, children under 12 and individuals with additional needs) | MYR 50 / night |
No source available at the time of writing.
Thailand: Board of Investment work permit and visa submission changes
The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and Employment authorities have recently announced changes to the BOI Single Window System submission process, and government fees related to work permit renewal and amendment applications.
BOI Single Window System
- BOI work permit and long-term visa renewal applications can be submitted in the Single Window System 90 days in advance of expiration. Foreign national employees must appear at the One Stop Service Center (OSSC) to complete the final step within 60 days of approval being granted (but not beyond expiration of the current work permit or long-term visa).
- BOI permits the employer to submit the application in the Single Window System while the employee resides outside Thailand. The company and employees must comply with the following conditions:
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- When submitting renewal applications, returned flight bookings, and required documents must be submitted into the Single Window System.
- Upon arrival, copies of the passport containing the arrival stamp page and departure card must be submitted into the Single Window System.
- Foreign national employees’ passport documents no longer require signatures. This applies to all immigration processes including new and renewal applications.  A clear copy of the passport pages will be sufficient for submission in the Single Window System. However, Thai employees that appear on the BIO Training Chart (normally required for renewal applications) must sign the chart before submission into the system.
 New government fees for BOI work permit renewal and amendment applications
| Renewal of work permit | New government fees |
| Extension of working period not exceeding three months | THB 750 |
| Extension of working period for more than three months but not over six | THB 1,500 |
| Extension of working period for more than six months but not over one year | THB 3,000 |
| Extension of working period for more than one yar | THB 3,000 |
| Digital Work Permit amendments | Job title – THB 300 per process
Name or surname –THB 300 per process Updating company’s name – THB 300 per process Adding job description – THB 300 per process Updating company’s business type – THB 300 per process |
The new rates are already in effect.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Foreign Workers Administration Office (in Thai).
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: Further automatic renewal of immigration permissions
The Irish government is automatically renewing all immigration permissions due to expire between September 20, 2020, and January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2021.
Impact
Due to the uncertainties caused by the pandemic, foreign nationals with near to expired immigration permissions will be able to remain in Ireland legally until January 20, 2021. The permission renewal is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions apply.
This is the fifth and (expected to be) final extension of permissions implemented since the outset of the pandemic and the longest granted.
All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only. Registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau through the Garda Station network. An in-person appointment is required.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Department of Justice and Equality.
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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