With our mission to uncomplicate the complicated, we’ve always thought of our work in immigration as people-first. Our goal is for these updates 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
Argentina | The government is extending the current preventative measures and restrictions related to the coronavirus until October 25.
Case Update: 9,524 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/12 4:00 PM CEST
Costa Rica | As of November 1, US citizen tourists may enter Costa Rica on flights departing from the United States. US citizen tourists wishing to enter Costa Rica must complete a digital epidemiological health pass, obtain a negative PCR-RT coronavirus test taken within 72 hours of their departure from the United States, and purchase travel insurance covering accommodations in case of quarantine and medical expenses due to COVID-19.
Case Update: 733 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/12 4:00 PM CEST
Indonesia | From October 26, Indonesia and Singapore will offer direct flights between the two countries. The Travel Corridor Arrangement (TCA) is intended for essential business and official purposes only.
Case Update: 3,906 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/12 4:00 PM CEST
Lithuania | On Monday, October 12, Lithuania’s government removed 21 countries from its “red list” (the countries from which travelers would have to quarantine for two weeks). The countries no longer on the red list include Bolivia, Bulgaria, Estonia, the Faroe Islands, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Italy, Jamaica, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Namibia, Norway, the Philippines, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, Turks and Caicos, Venezuela, and the Virgin Islands.
Case Update: 118 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/12 4:00 PM CEST
The Netherlands | Beginning Wednesday, the Netherlands will be under a “partial lockdown.” Prime Minister Mark Rutte announced that public gatherings of more than four people would be banned in addition to other social restrictions. The lockdown is set to last for four weeks.
Case Update: 7,368 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/12 4:00 PM CEST
Portugal | From Thursday, increased restrictions and fines will be in place to curb the coronavirus following significant infection spikes. Prime Minister Antonio Costa announced a proposal for parliament that would make face masks in crowded public areas mandatory and require contact tracing for some workforces.
Case Update: 1,208 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/12 4:00 PM CEST
Singapore | On Monday, the Ministry of Health announced new restrictions for inbound travelers. Individuals coming from Sabah, Malaysia are required to serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities. Travelers who have recently been to Indonesia or the Philippines and who are not Singapore citizens or Permanent Residents must present a valid negative COVID-19 test result to enter or transfer through Singapore. For travelers from Hong Kong, the SHN period is reduced to 7 days from 14 days.
Case Update: 4 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/12 4:00 PM CEST
On Tuesday, October 6, the Department of Labor and the Department of Homeland Security released two major regulations that will overhaul the guest worker program largely targeting wage and degree requirements for specialty occupations.
In this week’s Immigration Nerds podcast, Erickson Immigration Group Managing Attorney Christine Annand explains how these two new rules are likely to play out for employers, employees, and visa petitioners.
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.