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 Czech Republic | On Monday, the government announced the ban on international bus and train travel will be lifted on May 11, at which time non-EU citizens will be allowed entry for seasonal work or healthcare work. Currently, Czechs are allowed to travel internationally, but those who do must provide a negative coronavirus test or self-quarantine.
Case Update: 77 new cases, 39 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
Finland | The government announced that essential travel to countries within the Schengen area will be allowed beginning May 14.
Case Update: 85 new cases, 12 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
India | Beginning Thursday, May 7, 190,000 Indians who were stuck abroad due to the coronavirus will be repatriated to India from countries around the world, including the US, UK, UAE, and others.
Case Update: 2,958 new cases, -942 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
The Netherlands | Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the lockdown measures, which have been in place for nearly two months, would begin to ease next week and continue in a phased approach for four months. Beginning June 1, face masks will be required on all public transportation.
Case Update: 317 new cases, 118 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
Russia | The government has extended the earlier set restrictions pertaining document issuance for foreigners entering Russia. According to the original restrictions, the following are extended until further notice:
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Suspension of entry of foreign nationals into Russia and, accordingly, suspension of issue of invitation letters and visas to them by Russian consulates abroad.
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Suspension of issue of work permits and patents to those foreign nationals who are staying abroad
Case Update: 10,559 new cases, 457 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
Spain | The government has extended the state of emergency for two more weeks from Sunday, May 10. Spain has been under a nationwide lockdown since March 14. The current state of emergency was originally planned to end on Saturday, May 9, at midnight.
Case Update: 1,318 new cases, 773 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
Turkey | President Tayyip Erdogan said the country would begin lifting coronavirus related restrictions as of Monday, and continue phasing out the measures through May, June, and July.
Case Update: 1,832 new cases, 218 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
The UK | Prime Minister Boris Johnson said the government would outline details of how the country would ease the lockdown measures on Sunday, May 10 with some measures beginning as soon as the next day.
Case Update: 4,406 new cases, 421 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
The US | USCIS has transferred cases between various service centers to balance workload.
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for H-1B cap-subject petitioners requesting H-1B nonimmigrant classification for FY 2021 (regular cap and advanced degree exemption) have been transferred from the Vermont Service Center to the Nebraska Service Center and from the California Service Center to the Texas Service Center.
Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, for petitioners seeking O and P nonimmigrant classification have been transferred from the California Service Center to the Vermont Service Center.
Case Update: 16,200 new cases, -13,066 daily change, Last updated: 2020/5/6, 9:00 PM CEST
Listen to the latest Erickson Immigration Group Immigration Nerds podcast on President Trump’s executive order proclamation, who will be impacted, and for how long. We’re continuing to share stories at the cross-section of immigration, culture, travel, and, for now, the coronavirus. If you have stories to share, we want to hear from you.
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.