April 23, 2019
The Immigration Department of Malaysia has announced new fees and service charges for Employment Pass, Professional Visit Pass, Dependent pass and Long-Term Social Visit Pass applications effective June 1, 2019. Applications fees for Employment Passes will increase from 318 RM to 1060 RM. DP/Long Term Visit Pass will ...
April 23, 2019
The Irish government recently announced the abolition of re-entry visa requirements effective May 13, 2019. Visa-required nationals who currently have a valid Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card (or its precursor, the GNIB card) will no longer need a visa to exit and return to Ireland. IRP holders will ...
April 23, 2019
Japan is preparing for Golden Week, a collection of four national holidays beginning April 29, 2-19 with festivities continuing through May 6, 2019. Government offices will be closed and immigration delays are expected during this period.
April 23, 2019
The U.S. Embassy in Israel has announced that a treaty investor agreement has been signed between the United States and Israel, granting Israeli citizens the ability to apply for an E-2 visa at the U.S. Embassy Branch Office Tel Aviv. Additionally, certain Israeli nationals who are ...
April 23, 2019
Update: President Donald Trump issued a memorandum on Monday, April 22 that aims to force compliance from countries whose nationals consistently overstay valid travel and business visas. Per a 2018 report by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the countries that fall into this category are mostly ...
April 12, 2019
Update: Leaders in the European Union and the United Kingdom have agreed to extend the deadline for leaving the EU. As it currently stands, there are now two possible deadlines: June 1, if Parliament doesn’t agree to participate in EU Parliament elections in late May. October 31, ...
April 10, 2019
EU leaders will vote on April 10 to extend the date of Brexit to June 30, 2019, following a formal request from Prime Minister Theresa May to the EU today. UPDATED: On Wednesday, April 10, the European Union agreed to a second delay to Brexit ...
April 10, 2019
To be effective July 1st, 2019 for all companies hiring foreign workers, the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS)* will increase by 100 SGD per month. Additionally, the calculating ratio will be amended as such: LQS salary Number of local employees between S$650 to S$1,300 1 >S$1,300 0.5 Also, The Dependency Ratio Ceiling (DRC) will decrease ...
April 10, 2019
The Australian Government has announced two new provisional visa categories, a Skilled Employer-Sponsored Regional visa requiring regional sponsorship by an employer, and a Skilled Work Regional Visa requiring State or Territory nomination, or eligible family sponsorship within the same region. The program is to target skilled migrants ...
April 4, 2019
Whether the "Yays" or the "Nays" have it, the ongoing Brexit conversation, and the outcome, may impact more than 70% of international players in the world's most dominant league, the Premier League. EIG global attorney Salman Cheema and managing director Justin Parsons (and football fans!) talk ...
April 2, 2019
On March 29, 2019, the UK Parliament once again voted against the Brexit Deal put forward by Prime Minister Theresa May. As previously negotiated, the Brexit date was automatically extended to April 12, 2019. The UK Parliament will continue to debate Deal-scenarios that can be put ...
March 26, 2019
According to the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), the Philippine government is considering implementing a requirement that foreign workers obtain a visa before they enter the country. If enacted, the foreign worker must obtain a visa from the Philippines consular office in their country ...
March 26, 2019
Following Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro’s visit to Washington, D.C. this week, Brazil has waived visa requirements for business travelers and tourists from Australia, Canada, Japan, and the United States. This measure will take effect on June 17, 2019, and is aimed at boosting tourism to Brazil.
March 22, 2019
Update: On March 21, the European Union (EU) member states approved extending the deadline for the United Kingdom’s exit. There are now two possible dates, and three options available that depend on the UK Parliament's next steps. The BBC infographic below explains the current situation: If Parliament agrees ...
March 14, 2019
Update: Today, the UK’s Parliament agreed to ask the European Union (EU) for a delay in exiting the EU by a vote of 412 to 202. This followed yesterday's vote when Parliament voted to reject a no-deal Brexit. This vote did not change the date of Brexit, ...
March 12, 2019
Parliament again voted to reject Prime Minister Theresa May’s latest Brexit Deal with the EU. The UK now has 17 days to go before crashing out of the EU without a deal. Lawmakers will vote again on Wednesday to decide if the UK will exit ...
March 12, 2019
Spouses and partners of Critical Skills Employment Permit (CSEP) holders no longer need a separate employment permit. Effective March 6th, eligible applicants can attend their local GNIB immigration office with their spouse/de-facto partner who is the holder of a CSEP to obtain a permission to ...
March 12, 2019
On March 9, the EU announced a new visa program called ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorization System) which will be required for all Americans traveling to the European Schengen-area starting 2021. Applications can be made online, and applicants will need a passport valid for ...
March 5, 2019
As of March 11, 2019, nationals of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States will be able to use the electronic passport control gates (E-gates) when they enter the UK. Currently, the E-gates are available to British and EU nationals 12 and older. These travelers, who ...
February 26, 2019
In coming weeks India is expected to announce changes to improve the e-visa program, making it even more attractive to business visitors. Changes are expected to include: Stays of up to 180 days for e-Business visa holders (an increase from the current 60-day limit); Multiple entries (an ...
February 26, 2019
Irish CSEP and GEP processing times have reduced greatly in recent weeks, with current processing times at approximately 4 weeks for applications filed by Trusted Partners. This is a significant improvement over recent months when processing times were extended due to a combination of lack of staffing at ...
February 13, 2019
With the installation of the new federal administration in Mexico, staff changes are underway at the National Immigration Institute (INM) which is impacting processing times for applications. The INM’s administrative restructuring intends to focus on human rights initiatives and asylum application requests given the influx of Central American migrants ...
February 13, 2019
The Ministry of Health announced that effective Feb. 1, 2019, documentation of diphtheria and measles vaccinations will be required for foreign-born children. This requirement impacts children 12 years and under. Those currently on Dependent Passes and children born in Singapore are exempt.
January 30, 2019
The House of Commons voted today to pass an agreement backed by Prime Minister Theresa May to reopen the Withdrawal Agreement and replace the backstop with “alternative arrangements” to avoid a hard border between the UK and Ireland. May must now renegotiate with the EU, which appears ...
January 30, 2019
The UK Home Office has published plans, subject to parliamentary approval, for how the UK will treat EU citizens arriving in the UK after a no-deal Brexit. The proposal reinforces the temporary transitional arrangements where EU citizens arriving in the UK before 2020 will be eligible ...
January 30, 2019
The UK’s Foreign Office has recommended that British citizens living in the EU switch from their UK driver’s license to a local EU one before the Brexit deadline. Currently, Brits may easily exchange their driver’s license for an EU one. However, if no agreement is reached, UK citizens in the EU may ...
January 30, 2019
On January 21, the Home Office began a voluntary public testing phase of the EU Settlement Scheme, where passport holding EU citizens and their family members may apply to live and work in the United Kingdom. Currently, the application fee is £65.00 for an adult ...
January 30, 2019
Mexico’s National Immigration Institute (INM) increased their fees this month by an average of 4.74%. This fee adjustment is based on the Consumer Price Index yearly increase. Employers with concerns about the increased rates should contact their immigration support.
January 30, 2019
On January 16, 2019, Russian federal law #216-FZ came into effect, introducing additional obligations for companies inviting foreign nationals to Russia on work and business visas. The new regulation requires the inviting party to follow drafted procedures to ensure not only that the visa entry and exit ...
January 16, 2019
TheItalian Government announced that they are working on a declaratory procedure for British nationals living and working in Italy. The new legislation establishes that if there is no Brexit deal, British citizens currently residing in Italy will remain legal residents and will continue to enjoy access ...