EIG COVID-19 Update | September 25, 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

Japan | From October, individuals with newly issued long-term visas will be permitted to enter Japan. This change in restriction will be phased in, and people will be required to test before entering the country. According to a news agency, entry would be limited to 1,000 people per day.
Case Update: 456 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/25 5:00 PM CEST

Russia | The government extended coronavirus related suspensions for terms of stay for foreign citizens. From March 15 to December 15, 2020, the following terms expiring in this period are suspended:

Terms of stay

  • Terms of migration registration

  • Duration terms of the following documents:

    • Visas

    • migration cards

    • temporary and permanent residence permits

    • documents confirming refugee or temporary asylum status

Terms for voluntary departure for foreign citizens in respect of whom a decision of expel/deportation/unwanted stay was made.

Also, until December 15, 2020, the following measures are extended:

  • Visa-free nationals may apply for patent regardless of the declared purpose of entry or the existing deadline for submitting such application;

  • Employers who have a corporate employment permit may apply for individual work permits for the relevant employees regardless of their purpose of entry.

With regard to foreign citizens who committed migration offenses in the Russian Federation, decisions on administrative expulsion from Russia in the form of a self-controlled departure could be made once again.

Foreign citizens whose passports expire during the aforementioned period have the right to leave the Russian Federation with such a passport to the country of their citizenship (without transit through third countries).
Case Update: 7,212 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/25 5:00 PM CEST

Switzerland | From Monday, travelers from Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Portugal, the United Kingdom, and regions of Austria, France, and Italy must go into a 10-day quarantine upon entering Switzerland.
Case Update: 508 confirmed cases. Last updated: 2020/9/25 5:00 PM CEST

In February, weeks before the US implemented a coronavirus response, EIG attorney Yasmin Mirreh published an article in Law360 — Coronavirus And Immigration: Tips For The Global Employer. Now, in this week’s Immigration Nerds podcast, Yasmin talks about what she’s seen in the last almost seven months, what she hears from clients, and perspective moving forward.

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.