Weekly Immigration Update: April 3-9, 2020

In immigration news this week:

• Worldwide: Jurisdictions around the world continue to adapt their coronavirus-related travel restrictions and quarantine measures, and many have implemented extension policies and other concessions. Visit Fragomen’s coronavirus-related news page for the latest immigration updates.
• United Kingdom: As part of the government's stimulus package for companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, employers are permitted to furlough Tier 2 and 5 workers. Under the stimulus provisions, employers are permitted to claim up to 80% of sponsored workers’ normal salary, up to a maximum of GBP 2,500, per month to cover ongoing salary costs. Additionally, Tier 1 Entrepreneurs can furlough their workers, but will not gain credit for job creation for these periods. Affected Tier 1 Entrepreneurs will later be able to extend their visas, to give them time to meet the job creation requirement.
• European Union: The European Commission has recommended that EU countries extend their COVID-19-related entry bans until May 15, and that they maintain exemptions for residents (irrespective of their nationality) and essential travel.

 

These items and other news from Albania, Belarus, the European Union, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

European Union, April 9, 2020
COVID-19 Entry Ban Likely to be Extended Until May 15

• The European Commission has recommended that EU countries extend their COVID-19-related temporary entry bans until May 15, 2020, and that they maintain exemptions for residents (irrespective of their nationality) and essential travel.
• To enter into force, the European Commission’s recommendations must be implemented by each EU country in their national rules. EU countries are expected to decide whether and how to apply this extension over the coming weeks.
• For up-to-date global information on COVID-19-related travel bans, restrictions and concessions, among other information, check Fragomen’s dedicated website.

 

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Kingdom, April 3, 2020
Government Opens COVID-19 Stimulus Package Benefits to Licensed Sponsors and Overseas Entrepreneurs

• As part of the UK government’s stimulus package for companies impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the government has confirmed that employers are permitted to furlough Tier 2 and 5 workers. Under the stimulus provisions, employers are permitted to claim up to 80% of sponsored workers’ normal salary, up to a maximum of GBP 2,500, per​​ month to cover ongoing salary costs.
• The government also confirmed that Tier 1 Entrepreneurs (who must create jobs for settled workers as part of their qualification for permanent residence in the United Kingdom)​​​ can make use of the stimulus plan to furlough their workers, but will not gain credit for job creation for these periods. The Home Office has advised that affected Tier 1 Entrepreneurs will later be able to extend their visas, to give them time to meet the job creation requirement.

 

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Weekly News Briefs

Albania: Entry/Transit Visa Exemption Implemented – Effective immediately, nationals of Guyana can now enter Albania without a visa for tourism, business or transit for up to 90 days in a 180-day period. The exemption is not yet reciprocal for Albanian nationals in Guyana.

European Union/Belarus: Mutual Visa Facilitation Effective in June – As an update, the European Union and Belarus have ratified a visa facilitation agreement that will reduce visa fees for EU nationals traveling to Belarus and vice versa to EUR 35, down from EUR 80, and will reduce consular processing time to 10 calendar days, down from 15 days. The agreement takes effect June 1, 2020. Negotiations on the agreement started in January 2014.

United States: Latest PERM and PWD Processing Times – As of March 31, 2020, the Department of Labor (DOL) was conducting analyst review for PERM applications filed in November 2019 or earlier, and processing audited cases filed in June 2019 or earlier. DOL is working on standard reconsideration requests submitted in February 2020 or earlier.

DOL is issuing prevailing wage determinations (PWDs) for PERM and H-1B requests filed in December 2019. The agency has been processing PERM and H-1B redeterminations requested in February 2020. PERM and H-1B center director reviews filed in February 2020 remain pending. These reports are available on the iCERT page.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.