Weekly Immigration Update: May 22-28, 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 States: Effective May 26, with limited exceptions, foreign nationals are barred from entering the United States if they have been physically present in Brazil within 14 days before their attempted entry. U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, their spouses and children under 21, and certain other family members are not subject to the travel restrictions, among other exemptions. Starting June 4, USCIS will re-open some of its local offices and Application Support Centers for in-person interviews and appointments. Office reopening dates will vary by location, so applicants must check the USCIS website for the latest information on a particular local USCIS office. 
• United Kingdom: Starting June 8, all arriving travelers will be subject to a 14-day home quarantine. Those who fail to comply with the mandatory quarantine will face up to a GBP 1,000 fine or possible prosecution.
• Singapore: A new user-friendly e-service that will initially be rolled out in phases will replace the Employment Pass online application system (EP Online). The system is expected to be fully live by April 2021.

 

These items and other news from India follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

 

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

United States, May 27, 2020
Some Local USCIS Offices to Resume In-Person Services Starting June 4

• Starting June 4, USCIS will re-open some of its local offices and Application Support Centers for in-person interviews and appointments.
• Office reopening dates will vary by location, so applicants must check the USCIS website for the latest information on a particular local USCIS office. 
• Foreign nationals with green card interviews, naturalization interviews/ceremonies or biometrics appointments that were cancelled during the temporary closure can expect the appointments to be automatically rescheduled after the re-opening of their local USCIS office, but fewer appointments will be scheduled on a daily basis, and new safety precautions will be required of applicants.

 

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Kingdom, May 26, 2020
14-day Quarantine for International Arrivals Starting June 8

• The UK government will introduce a 14-day home quarantine for all travelers arriving in the United Kingdom starting June 8, 2020. Anyone failing to comply with the mandatory 14-day quarantine will face up to a GBP 1,000 fine or possible prosecution.
• Travelers will also be required to complete a form to provide their contact details, including their residential address in the United Kingdom.

 

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, May 25, 2020
President Trump Orders Earlier Start to Brazil Travel Ban

• New restrictions on travel from Brazil will start at 11:59 PM EDT tonight – 48 hours earlier than initially announced.
• The White House advanced the start time of the ban in an announcement issued late Monday.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Singapore, May 22, 2020
New Online Portal to Replace Employment Pass Online System

• A new user-friendly e-service will eventually replace the Employment Pass online application system (EP Online) in Singapore.
• The system will be rolled out in phases (new Employment Passes and S Passes on June 11, followed by Dependant's Pass/Long-Term Visit Pass, Letters of Consent, among other types of applications, at a later date).
• The new tool is expected to go live in full by April 2021.

 

To view entire article, click here.

 

Other Weekly News Briefs

India: OCI Card Re-Issuance Required for Some Travelers – According to an existing regulation, Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards must be re-issued each time a cardholder 20 years old or under or over 50 years old acquires a new passport. While travelers were previously allowed to carry their old and new passports without having the OCI card re-issued, according to increased enforcement of the existing rule, they must now must travel with updated OCI cards reflecting the new passport number. The deadline for affected OCI cardholders to obtain updated OCI cards is December 31, 2020.

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