EIG COVID-19 Update | October 30, 2020

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 | Beginning in November, international commercial flights will resume to and from bordering countries for Argentine citizens, residents, and tourists from the bordering countries. Travelers must provide a negative test before the flight and submit a sworn health statement.
Case Update: 13,924 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/30 4:00 PM CEST

Belarus | The government has closed the land borders with Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Ukraine.
Case Update: 984 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/30 4:00 PM CEST

The Czech Republic | The state of emergency has been extended to November 20.
Case Update: 13,055 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/30 4:00 PM CEST

India | The following categories of foreign nationals are permitted to enter India by air or sea: All OCI cardholders and PIO cardholders with passports of any country; all foreign nationals intending to visit India for any purpose except those on a Tourist visa; all existing visas, except electronic visas, Tourist visa, and Medical visa, shall stand restored with immediate effect. When a foreign national not covered by the categories above needs to visit India urgently, the Indian Missions/Posts are authorized to issue single-entry X-Misc visas. There will be no restriction on incoming passenger traffic into India through the authorized airport/seaport Immigration Check Posts for all categories of foreign nationals who are permitted to enter India or those who may be permitted to enter India in the future.
Case Update: 48,648 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/30 4:00 PM CEST

Portugal | From Friday, there is a five-day movement ban restricting travel between the country’s 300 municipalities. There is an exception for driving to and from work.
Case Update: 4,224 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/30 4:00 PM CEST

Singapore | From November 6, the government will end the border restrictions with mainland China and Victoria, Australia.
Case Update: 7 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/30 4:00 PM CEST

Spain | Travel in and out of Catalonia will be banned for the next 15 days. The government has also extended the shutdown of Catalonia restaurants and bars. The current national travel restrictions are extended until November 30. Any exempted third-country nationals may still be subject to the entry ban for public health reasons.
Case Update: 23,580 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/10/30 4:00 PM CEST

Following the two rule changes from DOL and DHS that will significantly reshape the H-1B specialty occupation visa program, more than ten lawsuits have been filed against the two agencies. In this week’s Immigration Nerds podcast, we synthesize the Purdue Vs. Scalia lawsuit that challenges the new DOL wage requirements introduced earlier this month.

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.