Immigration updates for AMER and APAC regions
Americas
United States: Continued backlog on US Consular posts
The Department of State provided instructions to embassies and consulates on how to prioritize visa applications. This is to reduce the backlog of applications resulted from travel restrictions and operational constraints caused by the global pandemic.
A tiered approach to visa applications based on visa categories will be implemented as consulates slowly resume processing more applications.
- Tier One: Immediate relative intercountry adoption visas, age-out cases (cases where the applicant will no longer qualify due to their age), certain Special Immigrant Visas and emergency cases as determined on a case-by-case basis.
- Tier Two: Immediate relative visas; fiancé(e) visas; and returning resident visas.
- Tier Three: Family preference immigrant visas and SE Special Immigrant Visas for certain employees of the U.S. Government abroad.
- Tier Four: All other visas, including employment preference and diversity visas.
The prioritization plan also includes instructions to adjudicate some cases in Tier Three and Tier Four each month. However, those types of applications will face continued delays.
The prioritization plan also includes instructions to adjudicate some cases in Tier Three and Tier Four each month. However, those types of applications will face continued delays.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the US Department of State.
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
Brunei Darussalam: Extension of temporary travel restrictions & Updates on Immigration Office Operations
Following our last update, the government of Brunei extended travel restrictions until September 30, 2021.
All foreign nationals with new and renewal visa application at the Department of Immigration Submissions are still not accepted, and the rest of the processing departments remain closed until further notice. However, essential submissions such as Entry Travel Pass (ETP) and application for a new visa (for countries without travel entry ban) are open for submission through the drop box.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Prime Minister’s Office (in Malay and English).
China: PU Invitation Letter for dependent’s families in Shanghai
On September 14, the Foreign Affairs Office in Shanghai has started accepting PU Invitation Letter applications for dependent family members wishing to either accompany or re-join the principal employee in Shanghai, China.
The dependent family are required to provide the following additional documents, apart from the standard application materials (passport, digital photo, relationship certificates):
- Completed vaccination certificates – for those who are not vaccinated, an additional statement needs to be made by the sponsor company explaining why. For example:
- Children – the vaccines are not being administered to children in their home country
- Adults – the person in question is medically advised against getting vaccinated due to any reason; supporting doctor’s reports may be needed
- School enrollment proof or school offer letter (for school-age children)
- Residential and Travel itinerary for the last 28 days (all locations visited in the last 28 days must be listed)
- Any other supporting documents that can justify their necessity of coming to China
The Shanghai Foreign Affairs Office is likely to limit applications every week. Hence, companies with multiple employees/families are advised to identify priority employees as group applications are unlikely to be accepted.
This policy is only in effect in Shanghai; other cities in China have yet to release similar announcements.
No source available at the time of writing.
Quarantine requirements
As per our last update, additional countries were added. Travelers form these countries should be self-isolated before departure to qualify for a green Health Declaration Code and board a flight to China. In addition, either a self-declared Health Monitoring/Commitment form or a Quarantine Certificate issued by their employers has to be uploaded as part of the process of obtaining the HDC code to board the flight.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Chinese Embassies globally.
Indonesia: New visa application
The Ministry of Law and Human Rights has released new regulation No. 34 Year 2021, announcing that new visa applications (Off-Shore) re-opened from September 16, 2021. This regulation replaced the Law and Human Rights Minister regulation No. 27 Year 2021 concerning restrictions on foreigners entering Indonesia during the enforcement period of emergency PPKM.
Below is a summary of the new regulation No. 34 Year 2021:
- Foreigners holding a valid Visa or Stay Permit can enter the Indonesian Territory through certain Immigration Checkpoints after fulfilling the health protocols set by the ministry or agency that carries out the handling of Covid-19. Those valid Visa or Stay Permits consists of:
- Service Visa
- Visit Visa (VK211)
- Diplomatic and Official Visa
- Diplomatic and Official Residence Permit
- Limited Stay Permits (ITAS) and Permanent Stay Permit (ITAP)
- Active crew members who arrive by their transports.
- Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (KPP APEC) Cardholder
- Free Visa and Visa on Arrival (VOA) remain suspended until the Covid-19 pandemic is declared over by the Government of the Republic of Indonesia.
- The new application for visit visa and limited stay permit (Off-Shore) is submitted by the Guarantor to the Director General of Immigration based on the type of activity of the foreigner following the provisions of the legislation by attaching the below:
- Covid-19 vaccination card/certificate
- Statement letter willing to comply with health protocols in Indonesia
- Proof of ownership of health insurance/travel insurance. If a foreigner does not have health insurance, they must make a statement willing to bear the treatment cost independently if they are exposed to Covid-19 while in Indonesia.
Hence, the Immigration office will re-start consideration of all the new visa applications Off-Shore including Visit Visa/VK211, Limited Stay Permits (ITAS), or other Telex Visa which were previously pending based on the commencement date.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Republic of Indonesia.
Pakistan: Covid-19 update
The government has divided countries into three categories – A, B, C. Arrivals from Category C (Bangladesh, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Libya, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, South Africa, Thailand, and Tunisia) are restricted from entering Pakistan until September 30, 2021.
Foreign nationals on pre-arranged visas, including business visas, can enter Pakistan, and eligible foreign nationals can enter Pakistan through the visa-on-arrival and visa-exempt programs.
Travelers from category B must have negative Covid-19 test obtained 72 hours prior to departure, arrivals from category A are exempt from providing a negative Covid-19 test. Before departure, travelers must download the PassTrack mobile app and submit the required information including health assessment and Covid test certificate and flight details.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Government of Pakistan.
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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