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
Australia | The Australian Government has advised that everyone in Australia, including temporary visa holders, can receive a COVID-19 vaccination for free. The vaccination campaign is to be administered by the Department of Health in cooperation with the State and Territory health departments.
One of the pre-conditions of receiving a vaccination is that a patient’s Medicare records must be up-to-date. If a temporary visa holder is not eligible for Medicare, then they can obtain an “Individual Healthcare identifier” (“IHI”) to be able to receive a vaccination.
The Philippines | The government has temporarily suspended the entry of foreigners and returning overseas Filipinos (ROFs) who are considered as non-overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) from March 20 – April 19. The following groups are exempt from the travel restrictions: holders of 9(e) visas (foreign government officials including their family members and attendants), medical repatriation and their escorts, emergency, humanitarian, and other cases as approved by the NFT.
Russia | The flight suspensions between Russia and the UK have been extended until April 16, 2021.
The United States | In coordination with Canada and Mexico, the United States is extending the restrictions on non-essential travel at land borders through April 21 while allowing exemptions for continued flows of essential trade and travel.
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.