Americas
Canada: In-Country visitors allowed to seek work permits
Due to the temporary COVID-19 conditions, Canadian Immigration has announced that visitors are allowed to seek employer-specific work permits through the inland online application process. In order to apply for the program, applicants must meet the following requirements:
- Have a valid status in Canada
- Have a job offer
- Submit an application supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or a LMIA-exempt Offer of Employment
This summary was prepared using information from Kranc Associates.
United States: USCIS warns of increased backlogs and wait times
Impact
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a potential slowdown in some agency operations in the coming months. This is a result of the authority’s decision of averting furlough of nearly 70% of their workforce.
A return to normal operating procedure depends on financial assistance to sustain the agency, since there have been aggressive spending reduction measures.
This summary was prepared using information from USCIS.
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
Australia: Visa extension for Hong Kong passport holders
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has extended the length of visas for the skilled (visa subclass 482) and temporary graduate visas (visa subclass 485) to a maximum stay of five years for Hong Kong passport holders.
For Hong Kong passport holders who on July 9, 2020 held a 457/482 or 485 visa, Immigration are automatically extending the visa to be valid for 5 years to a stay of July 8, 2025. Secondary family members visas will also be extended regardless of the passport they hold and Hong Kong passport holders who have not yet been granted a 482 or 485 visa, their visa will, from now until an undefined date, be granted for 5 years.
The Prime Minister and the Acting Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs also announced that a permanent residence pathway will be at the end of the five-year period. That component will be developed at a later stage. This provision is not available to British National (Overseas) passport holders.
This summary was prepared using information from Department of Home Affairs.
Foreign nationals with specific skills are allowed to enter
Alan Tudge, the Acting Minister for Immigration has announced a new Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) of 17 occupations that will be able to enter Australia on a 482 visa in order to assist in the country’s COVID recovery.
Visa holders, sponsored by an Australia business in a PMSOL occupation can request an exemption from Australia’s travel restrictions, but will be subject to a strict 14 days quarantine upon arrival at their own expense.
The 17 occupations (ANZSCO code) are:
- Chief Executive or Managing Director (111111)
- Construction Project Manager (133111)
- Mechanical Engineer (233512)
- General Practitioner (253111)
- Resident Medical Officer (253112)
- Psychiatrist (253411)
- Medical Practitioner nec (253999)
- Midwife (254111)
- Registered Nurse (Aged Care) (254412)
- Registered Nurse (Critical Care and Emergency) (254415)
- Registered Nurse (Medical) (254418)
- Registered Nurse (Mental Health) (254422)
- Registered Nurse (Perioperative) (254423)
- Registered Nurses nec (254499)
- Developer Programmer (261312)
- Software Engineer (261313)
- Maintenance Planner (312911)
This summary was prepared using information from Ministers Media Centre.
China: 72-hour Negative Nucleic Acid Test for inbound passengers from some EU countries
Arrivals must issue their test results with 3 days prior to their flight. Some countries will also waive the requirement for the endorsed Health Statement if the report is generated from an accredited institution and the flight is a direct flight to China (no stopovers). All inbound passengers are highly recommended to check their nearest Chinese consulate/embassy for details.
|
TEST REPORT VALIDITY |
HEALTH STATEMENT |
|
| Australia | 3 days | Mandatory |
| Austria | Mandatory | |
| Belgium | 3 days | Mandatory |
| Canada | 3 days | not needed for direct Canada-China flights if the test is done at an accredited institution |
| Denmark | 3 days | not needed for direct Denmark-China flights if the test is done at an accredited institution |
| Finland | Mandatory starting Sept 7, 2020 | |
| France | 3 days | Mandatory |
| Germany | 5 days | Mandatory |
| Greece | Mandatory | |
| Iceland | Mandatory | |
| Indonesia | 5 days | Mandatory |
| Ireland | Mandatory | |
| Italy | 5 days | Mandatory |
| Luxembourg | Mandatory | |
| Netherlands | 3 days | Mandatory |
| New Zealand | 3 days | Mandatory |
| Norway | Mandatory starting Sept 12, 2020 | |
| Philippines | 3 days after Sept 4, 2020 | Mandatory |
| Singapore | 5 days | Mandatory |
| South Korea | 5 days | not needed for direct South Korea-China flights if the test is done at an accredited institution |
| Spain | 3 days | Mandatory |
| Sweden | 3 days | not needed for direct Sweden-China flights if the test is done at an accredited institution |
| Switzerland | Mandatory | |
| Thailand | 5 days | Mandatory |
| UK | 5 days | not needed for direct France-China flights |
| Vietnam | 3 days | Mandatory |
No source available at time of writing.
Resumption of limited International flights
As of September 3, China will allow a limited number of flights to arrive directly in Beijing instead of being diverted to other cities per the previous policy. Nine direct flights will resume from eight countries that have had few imported cases brought into China: Thailand, Cambodia, Pakistan, Greece, Denmark, Austria, Sweden, and Canada.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from National Immigration Administration (in Chinese).
India: Extension of scheduled international flights ban and relaxation under Unlock 4
- Foreign nationals can travel to India by “Vande Bharat Mission” & “Air Bubble Mission”, non-scheduled Flights under Vande Bharat Mission is operational from most of the countries wherein Indian nationals, OCI holders and selected foreign nationals allowed with prior registration at authority.
- Air Bubble Mission is currently operational from and to Canada, US, UK, France, UAE, Maldives and Germany where prior registration is not a requirement and it will be further extended to the following 13 countries: Australia, Bahrain, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea and Thailand.
- Scheduled flights are not operational yet and have been further banned until September 30, 2020.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from Ministry of Home 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
Switzerland: Strict conditions for big events
Large-scale events may be held under the following conditions:
- A seating requirement generally applies (exceptions: standing areas are possible at open-air event such as ski, cross-country skiing or bike races as well as village festivals held in the open).
- People flows must be clearly regulated.
- National ice hockey and football league games: these are also subject to the requirement of wearing masks and capacity limits. In halls and outdoor stadiums, no more than two-thirds of seats may be occupied. No seats are to be made available for away fans. Seating is compulsory in catering areas. Rule violations can be punished.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from The Federal Council.
United Arab Emirates: Visa retirement
The Dubai government has launched “Retire in Dubai” program that will offer resident expatriates and foreigners aged 55 and above to apply for a retirement visa. Retire in Dubai is spearheaded by the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (Dubai Tourism) in collaboration with the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA-Dubai).
The Retire in Dubai program is to enhance Dubai’s position as an iconic global city and make it the world’s most preferred lifestyle destination. This strategy will enable expatriates and international retirees to take advantage of the city’s open-door policy, tolerance, and outstanding quality of life and live in one of the world’s fastest growing, culturally diverse cities.
Impact
Eligible applicants will be provided a Retirement Visa, renewable every five years. The retiree can choose between one of three financial requirements for eligibility. A retired expatriate and their spouse and children can be qualified for a 5-year residency visa with the possibility of renewal.
To qualify, expatriates minimum age must be at least 55 years of age, must have valid medical insurance covering the UAE and financial Capacity must be one of the following:
- Property Value: To own a property in the country that is not mortgaged and is worth no less than AED 2 million (approx. USD 550,000) OR
- Cash Savings: To have a bank deposit in the UAE of no less than AED 1 million (approx. USD 275,000) OR
- Minimum income: To provide a proof that he has a monthly income of no less than AED 20,000 or of an equivalent other currency (approx. USD 5,500) OR
- Combination of Property value and Savings: To combine points 1 and 2 so that the sum of the bank deposit and market price of the property value is no less than AED 2 million approx. USD 550,000).
The visa will be renewed automatically online as long as the retiree continues to meet the eligibility criteria. Details of the offerings, designed to help retirees enjoy a happy and fulfilling life, and all information necessary to start the application process, are available on Retire Dubai.
Proposed action: In the initial phase, the program will focus on UAE residents working in Dubai who have reached retirement age. The program will offer long-term residents of the city who are familiar with Dubai’s value proposition an easy and hassle-free retirement option. Dubai’s close proximity with the native countries of a large majority of residents makes it a convenient retirement destination for them.
To ensure a competitive offering, Dubai Tourism are working with its partners to develop key propositions for retirees covering healthcare, real estate, insurance and banking.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Dubai Tourism.
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).
We track policy changes in over 120 countries. Find out how we can help you in this short video.
