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
Malaysia | On Thursday, the government released written guidelines on the categories of expatriates who are permitted to return to Malaysia and the measures to be undertaken before and after entering Malaysia.
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Expatriates holding the Employment Pass (Category I) (a monthly salary of above RM10,000) and Resident Pass-Talent (a 10-year residency), together with their dependents, are now permitted to return to Malaysia without having to secure any entry approval from the Director-General of Immigration. They are still required to undergo the COVID-19 PCR swab test and obtain negative results within three (3) days at their country of residence before returning to Malaysia.
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The groups mentioned above who are from the green zone countries, namely Australia, Brunei, New Zealand, and Singapore (subject to change), are exempted from observing a 14-day mandatory self-quarantine upon arrival in Malaysia. Any of the groups mentioned above who are not from the green zone countries must observe the 14 days mandatory self-quarantine upon arrival in Malaysia.
Case Update: 4 new cases, -2 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/26 3:00 PM CEST
The Netherlands | The government will ease the widespread coronavirus-related restrictions and allow outdoor gatherings, public transportation, and restaurants to reopen as of July 1.
Case Update: 110 new cases, 28 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/26 3:00 PM CEST
Portugal | The government will reintroduce the stay at home rule in Greater Lisbon as a wave of new coronavirus cases emerges.
Case Update: 311 new cases, -56 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/26 3:00 PM CEST
The United Kingdom | UK visa application centers around the world are gradually reopening after weeks of closure. The centers in Australia, China, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Taiwan, and Thailand reopened at the beginning of June. More, including those in the EU, will follow from the week of June 29.
There is no date yet for the UK visa system to restart in the US. Most people applying for UK visas in the US enroll their biometrics at Application Support Centers run by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). USCIS Application Support Centers are due to start a phased reopening on July 13. However, this does not mean that UK visa applicants will be able to book appointments from that date, as there is no date yet for the UKVI Scanning Hub in New York to reopen.
Inside the UK, the UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services biometric enrollment centers run by Sopra Steria are gradually reopening. Emails are being sent in phases to applicants inviting them to book a biometric appointment, starting with people who applied before March 27.
Applicants should expect limited availability of appointments and longer wait times.
Case Update: 1,118 new cases, 466 daily change, Last updated: 2020/6/26 3:00 PM CEST
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.