With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. Our goal is for these emails to make sense of the changes happening across the world. Please share these updates with your colleagues who may find this information helpful, too.
International Updates
The Bahamas | Prime Minister Hubert Minnis shut the borders to international passenger flights and ships, with an exception for flights from the UK, Canada, and the EU beginning on Wednesday.
Case Update: 9 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/20 5:00 PM CEST
Chile | Government officials have presented the phased plan to release the current lockdown restrictions. The plan will stretch five weeks based on infection data and criteria, and the healthcare system capacity.
Case Update: 2,084 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/20 5:00 PM CEST
El Salvador | President Nayib Bukele will postpone the second phase of the country’s reopening, which was slated for Tuesday.
Case Update: 338 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/20 5:00 PM CEST
France | From Monday, individuals found not to be wearing a mask in public places indoors may be fined 135 euros ($154).
Case Update: 393 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/19 5:00 PM CEST
Greece | The government introduced stricter rules for migrant seasonal workers. “Land workers that exit the country before August 4 will not be able to return until further notice,” government spokesman Stelios Petsas said.
Land entry to Greece will be permitted at the six northern border crossings.
Case Update: 24 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/20 5:00 PM CEST
India | As confirmed by the Minister of Civil Aviation Hardeep Singh Puri, India will have “air bubbles” with the US, France, and Germany. This bilateral arrangement is restricted to Indian nationals or individuals with Overseas Citizenship of India status. Travelers returning to India will have a mandatory 7-day quarantine. Except for repatriation flights, international travel to and from India has been suspended since March 23.
Case Update: 40,425 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/20 5:00 PM CEST
Ireland | Over the weekend, the government announced it would postpone the next phase of the reopening to at least August 10, 2020. All permissions that were set to expire between July 20 and August 20 are automatically renewed for one month. Any permissions renewed between March 20 and May 13, 2020, which had a new expiration date between July 20 and August 20, 2020, are automatically renewed for one month.
The Dublin area Registration Office located in Burgh Quay will reopen on July 20, 2020, for first-time registrations on an appointment-only basis. All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only. All Registration Offices for non-Dublin residents operated by An Garda Síochána have temporarily closed, and applicants should check with their local office for details on reopening.
Case Update: 10 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/20 5:00 PM CEST
Spain | On Friday, July 17, the government amended the criteria for the non-essential travel restrictions from countries outside of the EU and Schengen area. The current list of exempted countries includes Algeria*, Australia, Canda, China*, Georgia, Japan, Morocco*, New Zealand, Rwanda, South Korea, Thailand, Tunisia, and Uruguay. Algeria, China, and Morocco are subject to the reciprocity principle.
Spanish authorities have noted an increase of travelers from countries not included in the exempted list, but who are exempted from travel restrictions for other reasons. Due to the rise of cases around the world, and in Spain, it is considered necessary to have direct connections and avoid needless transits, when applicable.
Cross-border workers and seasonal workers are excluded from the categories referring to nationals from third countries, previously exempted from entry ban, the exception being maintained to:
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Residents in the EU, Schengen associated States, Andorra, Monaco, the Vatican (Holy See), or San Marino while traveling to Spain providing documentary evidence.
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Holders of a long-term visa issued by a Member State or Schengen associated State to which they are traveling.
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Highly qualified employees whose activity is mandatory, cannot be postponed, or undertaken remotely. This category includes participants in upscale sports competitions taking place in Spain. These circumstances shall be documented.
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Professionals who are undertaking healthcare and elderly care work, transport of goods by air, sea, and land, diplomatic missions, military, and humanitarian work.
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Students undertaking their studies in the Member States or the Schengen Associated States, holders of the corresponding visa/ permit, and medical coverage, provided they are traveling to the country where they carry out their studies, and the entry is undertaken during the academic year or 15 days before it begins.
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Persons traveling for imperative family reasons duly accredited.
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Persons who provide documentary evidence of force majeure or necessity, or whose entry is permitted on humanitarian grounds.
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Residents of the exempted listed countries, traveling directly from these countries, transiting through countries included in the list or transiting through international airports located in countries not included in the list.
This order is effective from July 22 through July 31.
Case Update: 1,400 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/19 5:00 PM CEST
The United States | On Monday afternoon, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced a new extension for the flexible rules in place for Form I-9. The new expiration date for these coronavirus-related accommodations is August 19, 2020.
ICE also announced today that after July 19, no additional extensions would be granted to employers who were served notices of inspection (NOIs) by ICE during March 2020.
Case Update: 66,963 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/7/20 5:00 PM CEST
In a settlement on Tuesday, July 14, DHS and ICE rescinded the policy, which would have threatened the visa status for tens of thousands of students. In a conversation with the Immigration Nerds podcast, Erickson Immigration Group Managing Director Hiba Anver shares the significance of this victory and what may be in store for university students next.
We will continue to send updates daily or as more COVID-19-related news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or in past updates or want to hear more about a different topic, just reply to let us know. If you have specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.