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In immigration news this week:
In Brexit news this week:
These items and other news from Georgia, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
Georgia, September 19, 2019
New Documentary and Departure Notification Requirements Implemented
To view entire article, click here.
United States, September 18, 2019
October 2019 Visa Bulletin: EB-2 China Retrogresses, EB-2 and EB-3 Become Current for Most Countries; USCIS to Honor Filing Eligibility Dates
To view entire article, click here.
Saudi Arabia, September 18, 2019
Standardized Visit Visa Validity Periods May Require Re-Applying for Visa
To view entire article, click here.
United States, September 17, 2019
H-4 EAD Rescission Proposal Unlikely Before Spring 2020, DHS Says
To view entire article, click here.
Brexit News and Related News Briefs This Week
Netherlands, September 13, 2019
No-Deal Brexit Updates
To view entire article, click here.
Many other EU countries have published contingency plans for UK nationals in case of a no-deal Brexit, with more expected soon. Fragomen will provide updates on the situation as they become available.
Please contact a Fragomen immigration professional for assistance in planning contingency arrangements in a single project. For more information, please visit Fragomen's dedicated Brexit site, which contains news, FAQs, and analysis/commentary in the form of blogs, videos, webcasts and events.
Other Weekly News Briefs
Georgia: Investment Residence Permit Minimum Investment Amount Tripled – Effective July 30, 2019, the minimum investment amount for an Investment Residence Permit has been tripled from GEL 295,500 (approximately USD 100,000) to GEL 886,500 (approximately USD 300,000). All other requirements remain the same, such as a document to prove the legal stay of the applicant in Georgia, the application form and a recommendation letter issued by the government of Georgia or by three citizens of Georgia with the authority to represent a Georgian-based business entity. If the investment is in the form of property in Georgia, other specific documentary requirements apply.
India: E-Tourist Validity and Scope Expanded – As expected, the Ministry of Tourism has expanded the E-Tourist visa's maximum validity period to five years (available in 30-day with double entries, one-year or five-year options, both with multiple entries). Additionally, the E-Tourist visa now allows short-term voluntary work under one month and courses on local languages, music, dance, arts & crafts, cooking, and medicine that last up to six months and do not issue a qualifying certificate/diploma. Foreign nationals seeking to travel to India for such trips will no longer need to obtain an Employment Visa.
India: Medical Care Now Allowed Without Visa Conversion – The Ministry of Home Affairs has published a new policy allowing foreign nationals to receive outpatient medical care on their initial visa and inpatient treatment of up to 180 days without converting their visa to a medical visa even for pre-existing diseases (with some exceptions). Previously, foreign nationals had to convert their visa to a medical visa prior to admission to a hospital or medical center. Foreign nationals employed in India now benefit from fewer administrative burdens if they fall ill during their stay.
New Zealand: Silver Fern Visa Category Permanently Closed – Due to an overhaul of the temporary work visa system, the government of New Zealand has permanently closed the Silver Fern Visa category. The Silver Fern Visa allowed highly-skilled foreign nationals aged 20-35 to stay in New Zealand to look for skilled employment and work for any employer for up to nine months and study for up to three months. The visa offered a path to temporary residence under the Skilled Migrant Category. Those currently holding a Silver Fern Visa will not be affected by this change.
Pakistan: Consular Visa for Employment No Longer Required for Most Foreign Nationals – Effective immediately, nationals of 175 countries traveling to Pakistan for employment can have their entry visa stamped upon arrival by presenting a copy of a visa pre-approval document issued by the Ministry of Interior, based on a recommendation from the Board of Investment in Pakistan. Previously, these foreign nationals were required to have their visa stamp endorsed at a Pakistani consular post abroad, which is still required of foreign nationals whose countries of citizenship do not appear on the list. The relaxed entry requirement is part of Pakistan’s change in entry visa policies, which included the introduction of an electronic portal to facilitate application processes for over 10 different categories of entry visas to Pakistan.
Sri Lanka: Police Clearance Certificates Now Required for Some Letter of Recommendation Applications – Foreign nationals applying for a Letter of Recommendation from the Department of Commerce or Board of Investment--as a preliminary step to obtain a Residence Visa--must now submit a police clearance certificate (PCC) from their country of residence to support their application. The PCC must also be legalized and authenticated by the Sri Lankan consulate in that jurisdiction. Applicants renewing their Residence Visas may obtain PCCs from the local Police headquarters with jurisdiction over their place of residence in Sri Lanka. Processing a PCC application can take approximately 14 business days, but this period may vary on a case-by-case basis. PCCs are currently not required for applications for Letter of Recommendations to be issued by other ministries.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.