Immigration Alerts

Global Immigration Alerts


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May 7, 2012
SLOVAKIA | Increased Enforcement of Labor Recruitment Procedures & Duration of Assignments Must Be Declared
The Government of Slovakia intends to actively enforce existing labor recruitment procedures designed to incentivize Slovakian host companies to hire Slovak workers and reduce the country's growing domestic unemployment rate. In addition, all employment agreements and assignment letters on behalf of seconded, non-EEA national workers must specify the intended duration of assignment.
May 7, 2012
CANADA | Accelerated Labor Market Opinion processing changes effective April 25, 2012.
Service Canada has announced an expedited process for obtaining Labor Market Opinions (LMO) that will greatly speed the ability for Canadian companies to sponsor highly-skilled foreign national workers.
May 7, 2012
JAPAN | May 7th Implementation of New Points-Based System for Highly-Skilled Professionals
Today, the Bureau of Immigration (BOI) is implementing a new Points-Based System (PBS) to offer enhanced work authorization benefits for qualified highly-skilled professionals that includes the ability for qualified, accompanying spouses to request work authorization in Japan.
May 2, 2012
RUSSIA | Russian Host Company Registration Required to Sponsor Highly-Skilled Workers
Russian companies that sponsor foreign Highly-Skilled Workers (HSW’s) must be registered with the Russian immigration authority (the Federal Migration Service or “FMS”) in order to receive an FMS registration card permitting sponsorship privileges.
April 26, 2012
SWITZERLAND | Implementation of Work Permit Quotas for Nationals of EU-8 Countries
As of 1 May 2012, nationals of eight European Union (EU) countries will again be subject to an annual quota of 2,000 work permits. 500 work permits will be available each quarter between May 1, 2012-April 30, 2013.
April 25, 2012
NETHERLANDS | Significant new restrictions on family reunification and ”time abroad” allowance reduced for resident permit holders.
The Dutch Immigration Service (IND) has announced several important changes to the law of family migration. Effective July 1, 2012, nationals of non-European Union (non-EU) countries who are unmarried partners will no longer be eligible for family reunification except in very limited circumstances.
April 23, 2012
GREECE | New Immigration Reforms Announced/Introduction of "One-Stop" Service Centers
The Ministry of Interior Affairs (MOIA) recently announced new immigration reforms intended to move the filing of combined work/residence permit applications from local Town Halls or the Ministry of Interior Affair to new, "One-Stop" service centers in various Greek cities. Reforms also include the replacement of traditional residence permits or "blue receipts" with "Type A" permits.
April 20, 2012
SAUDI ARABIA | New Tracking System to Monitor Expatriate Salaries
Saudi Arabia plans to introduce a new tracking system to monitor the payment of expatriate salaries. The system is to be launched in May 2012 and is designed to track salaries of allforeign workers as well as Saudi employees, ensuring that their monthly salaries are transferred to their bank accounts in line with the terms specified in their employment contracts.
April 18, 2012
CZECH REPUBLIC | Revised Academic Qualifications for Work Permits/Certain Labor Offices May Grant Degree Nostrification Waivers
The Labor Office of the Czech Republic has confirmed that stricter rules will be in effect for non-EU nationals to present educational qualifications that are clearly appropriate for the proposed job. Additionally, some regional Labor Offices may grant waivers for "nostrifying" foreign degrees for work authorizations granted for less than six consecutive months.
April 16, 2012
SOUTH AFRICA | Advance Business Travel Authorization Required for Visa-Exempt Nationals
South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has implemented a new program whereby all visa-exempt nationals must request advance travel authorization for business purposes prior to entry. Visa-exempt nationals intending to enter South Africa purely for holiday/tourism purposes may continue to apply for visitor visas upon arrival.
April 13, 2012
ROMANIA | Possible New Nostrification Requirements for Work Permit Applicants
The Romanian Immigration Office has indicated that by April 30, 2011, it may introduce internal and unannounced new nostrification requirements that will affect non-European Union (non-EU) foreign nationals applying for Romanian work permits.
April 11, 2012
RUSSIA | Timely Filing Required to Renew Highly-Skilled Worker Status/State Clinics No Longer Responsible for HIV Testing
Two recent changes have been announced by the Federal Migration Service (FMS) requiring that (1) in order to avoid loss of status, all Highly-Skilled Worker (HSW) renewal applications must be filed at least 30 calendar days in advance of the work permit expiration date and (2) the FMS has cancelled the requirement that all foreign work permit applicants must undergo a separate HIV test.
April 10, 2012
UK | Border Agency Delayed in Processing Tier 2 Certificate of Sponsorship Allocation Requests
The UK Border Agency (UKBA) has indicated that licensed sponsors may experience significant delay in obtaining their new allocations of Certificates of Sponsorship. This will inevitably mean significant delays in issuing individual Tier 2 (General) and Tier 2 (ICT) Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) filed via the company’s sponsor management system (SMS).
April 10, 2012
UAE | Emirate of Dubai - April 1, 2012 Requirement to Obtain National ID Card
The Emirate of Dubai has confirmed that as of April 1, 2012, all applicants applying for a new residence permit or renewing an existing residence permit must submit biometrics (e.g., fingerprints, digital photo) to apply for a national identification card as part of their residence registration process.
March 29, 2012
ITALY | New "Social Integration" Requirement/Implementation of the "EU Blue Card"
The Italian Government has announced two, new immigration procedures to be implemented during the month of March. As of March 10, 2012, any non-Schengen and non-EU national applying for a residence permit valid for at least 12 consecutive months must execute an “Integration Agreement” and meet specific social integration requirements within a two-year period.
March 26, 2012
CROATIA | Ministry of Interior Publishes 2012 Annual Work Permit Quotas
The Croatian Government has published its 2012 annual quota for new work permits, limits for renewing existing work permits and exemption of “key personnel” from annual work permit quotas.
March 20, 2012
SAUDI ARABIA | New Fingerprinting Requirement for Female Expatriates/ New E-Gate Card Requirements
As of March 31, 2012, female expatriates who apply to amend, replace or request a residence permit (iqama) will be required to submit her fingerprints in order to receive a valid residence permit. On another note, passengers applying for an electronic gate card (E-Gate Card) will no longer be issued with multiple cards
March 13, 2012
IRELAND | New Entrepreneur/Investor Categories Announced – New Signature Requirements for Work Permit Application Forms
The Irish Government plans to introduce new immigration initiatives aimed at facilitating work authorization for migrant entrepreneurs and investors. Separately, the Irish the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation (DJEI) has recently announced process changes for executing work permit application forms.
March 2, 2012
CANADA | Timely Renewal of Labor Market Opinion Essential to Preserve Status
Recent reports from the Canadian business community reflect a growing concern that foreign workers awaiting approval of their Labor Market Opinions (LMO) are in danger of having their work permit renewal applications rejected, requiring them to depart Canada while in mid-assignment.
February 28, 2012
UNITED KINGDOM | Proposed Changes to Tier 1 (Post-Study) and Tier 4 Student Visa Schemes
On February 13, 2012, the UK Border Agency (UKBA) announced revised guidance notes governing new processing requirements for Tier 1 applicants. In addition, on April 6, 2012, revised UKBA guidelines will be implemented for foreign students in Tier 1 (Post-Study) and Tier 4 (Student) schemes.
February 27, 2012
INDIA | New, Online Indian Visa Application System Implemented in the United States
According to a recent announcement by the Embassy of India in Washington, DC, a new version of an online visa application form has been implemented with the US-based Indian consular posts.
February 24, 2012
UNITED KINGDOM (UK) | New Border Control Agency Announced
The UK Home Office has advised that effective March 1, 2012, a new border control agency, the UK Border Force, will assume enforcement of all port of entry immigration inspections of all foreign nationals entering the UK.
February 22, 2012
BRAZIL | Ministry of Justice Agrees to Process Traditional Renewal of Employment Agreement Visas
During the week of February 13, 2012, the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) announced that that it will resume processing of all employment agreement visa (Normative Resolution #80 or NR#80) renewal applications filed prior to November 23, 2011 as single, two-year extensions.
February 15, 2012
UNITED KINGDOM | Compliance Updates for Biometric Residence Permits/Government Application Fees Set to Rise
The representative desk at the Public Enquiry Office is being closed at the end of this month to coincide with a February 29, 2012 requirement that foreign nationals issued with work and residence authorizations for more than six months obtain Biometric Residence Permits (BRP's).
February 9, 2012
JAPAN | New Residence Management System to Be Introduced
As of Monday, July 9th, 2012, Japan will start a new residency management system, which will be applied to all foreign mid- to long-term residents in Japan. The Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act was promulgated during the Regular Diet session of July 15th, 2009 and is to go into effect on July 9th, 2012.
February 9, 2012
RUSSIAN FEDERATION | 2012 Quota for Foreign Labor Approved
The list of 41 quota exempt positions suggested by the Ministry of Health and Social Development of Russia has been officially published and will come into force on February 18th, 2012. Following this date, Russian companies may obtain work permits for foreigners hired on one of the listed positions outside of the work permit quota system.
February 3, 2012
INDIA | Visa Norms Relaxed for Expats Working in Senior/Skilled Positions
The Indian Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has recently published its change of visa rules so that expatriates in India, who take intergroup transfers within India, are no longer required to return their home country to apply for a new Employment Visa (EV).
January 31, 2012
BRAZIL | Continued Delays in Renewing Employment Agreement Visas
As an update to our prior alert clients are advised that the Ministry of Justice (MOJ) has not yet issued final guidance on permitting traditional renewal of employment agreement (Normative Resolution #80 or “NR#80”) visas.
January 26, 2012
RUSSIAN FEDERATION | 2013 Foreign Labor Forecasts Due by May 1, 2012
Russian employers are reminded to submit their 2013 foreign labor forecasts to their territorial labor and employment services no later than May, 1 2012
January 25, 2012
CZECH REPUBLIC | New Labor Office Registration and Academic Credentialing Requirements
Effective January 1, 2012, a new amendment to the Czech labor code now requires that all European Union (EU) and non-EU foreign nationals obtaining or possessing a work permit must be registered with the local Labor Office. In addition, all non-EU national workers applying as localized assignees will be required to have their academic degrees credentialed for equivalency by the Czech authorities.
January 23, 2012
EUROPEAN UNION | More Schengen Countries Relax Work Permit Restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians
As of January 1, 2012, Austria, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, and Malta have announced a conditional relaxation of work permit restrictions for Bulgarians and Romanians for certain occupations. Conditions for easing restrictions will be based on each country’s domestic labor market situation, with each country reserving the right to impose restrictions through December 31, 2013.
January 23, 2012
RUSSIAN FEDERATION | 2012 Annual Work Permit Quota and Quota-Exempt Positions Announced
On December 28, 2011 Russian authorities confirmed the number of work permits which may be issued to companies intending to hire foreign employees in 2012. As in previous years, a number of job positions are to be exempt from the quota requirement in 2012.
January 20, 2012
BRAZIL | Ministry of Justice To Resume Renewal of Employment Agreement Visas
Effective January 4, 2012, the Brazilian National Immigration Council (NIC) has announced its intention to renew employment agreement visas ("Normative Resolution #80" or "NR#80") visas. Begininng January 2012, NR#80 visas are now eligible for a single, two-year extension for a maximum period stay of up to four years.
January 20, 2012
KAZAKHSTAN | Foreign Labor Quota for the Year 2012 Announced
On December 28th, 2011 the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection of Kazakhstan announced the foreign labor quota for the year 2012. Per the decision, foreigners cannot make up more than one percent of the working population of Kazakhstan, therefore a maximum of 48,135 work permits are to be available for foreigners in 2012.
January 13, 2012
GLOBAL | Lunar (Chinese) New Year Celebrations May Delay Work & Residence Permit Applications
Many Asian countries observe government holiday schedules between January 22nd and January 28th. Holiday schedules may affect processing of work and residence permit applications due to closure of a host country’s immigration/ labor ministries and consular posts or possible delays due to reduced government staff.
January 13, 2012
FINLAND | Issuance of New Biometric Permit Cards
As of January 1st, 2012, Finland is issuing new, biometric cards (eAT) in lieu of the traditional Finnish residence permits (affixed as a sticker in a foreign national's passport)
January 5, 2012
ROMANIA | 2012 Work Permit Quotas Announced / EU "Blue Card" Option Introduced
On December 29, 2011, the Romanian Government announced the national work permit quotas for 2012. In addition, the Romanian immigration authority established a new category of work permit (EU "Blue Card") for highly-skilled workers