Country / Territory
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
By: Stacey Isaacs
After months of lockdown restrictions, travel bans and international mobility coming to a complete stop, many Sub-Saharan African countries like Namibia, Kenya, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Ghana and Cote D’Ivoire are beginning to re-open their borders and prepare for the arrival of foreign nationals.
The COVID-19 pandemic has given us a renewed look at the way immigration processes are being managed in Africa. This will generate some thought by governments across the continent and will bring about much needed changes in the way Sub-Saharan countries and relevant immigration authorities will embrace this “new norm.” We anticipate that more online resources and methods will be used to apply and obtain visas and that stringent health checks will be implemented. This, of course, will not occur overnight, however we are certain that this thought process has already begun.
As heads of state make decisions about the re-opening of their borders, employers and companies should also start thinking about how these decisions will impact their respective strategies and approaches to international workforce and company remobilisation plans.
New regulations
Business continuity, compliance with new immigration regulations, heath screening and additional immigration administrative processes are just a few aspects that have become the centre of the evolution of the immigration landscape during COVID-19. Thus, it is of utmost importance that companies and employers review and align their approaches to immigration to these new guidelines and regulations to remobilise their workforce.
A strong remobilisation plan is key to ensure work readiness and avoid delays and further financial losses when getting employees to various locations.
At Fragomen we have already started assisting a number of companies and guiding them through this process by auditing and reviewing their mobilisation plans to ensure compliance, confirming that their plans are fit for their purposes and continuously providing updates on current and ongoing changes to each country’s immigration regulations.
We have a remobilisation guide for employers to assist them with planning travel in and out of Sub-Saharan Africa. It gives insight into the processes, health screening requirements and immigration regulations of countries in the region. To obtain a free copy of this guide, please click here.
Should you wish to discuss any mobility or immigration related matters for Sub-Saharan Africa, please reach out to Stacey Isaacs by emailing [email protected] or contact your Fragomen immigration professional.
This blog was released on 15 September 2020, and due to the circumstances, there are frequent changes. To keep up to date with all the latest updates on global immigration, please visit our COVID-19 microsite, subscribe to our alerts and follow us on LinkedIn.
Country / Territory
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.
Blog post
This blog discusses Australia's Resident Return visa and its associated "compelling reasons" criteria.
Blog post
Senior Associate Sarah Melnick discusses the available immigration options for individuals not selected in this year's H-1B Cap Lottery.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha dados recentes sobre o aumento de vistos de trabalho para profissionais da produção de proteína halal.
Fragomen news
Silicon Valley Managing Partner Kristi Nevarez is recognized as an honoree in the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2024 Latinx Business Leadership Awards.
Blog post
This blog discusses the complexities individuals face when navigating international travel while awaiting their residence permit in France.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of Switzerland's family reunion process for EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals.
Awards
Four Fragomen professionals are recognised in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the field of immigration law.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha quais indústrias estão recrutando talentos estrangeiros no Brasil.
Blog post
Partner Rahul Soni and Senior Associate Xiaodan (Susan) Song help international commercial enterprise investors make informed decisions by explaining the differences between EB-5 rural projects and high unemployment projects.
Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses how those planning to attend the 2024 Olympics and Paralympics Games in Paris can prepare for their trip from an immigration perspective.
Blog post
This blog provides an overview of immigration programs and relief options by USCIS for Venezuelan nationals amidst the political and economic crisis in Venezuela.
Media mentions
Partner Ángel Bello Cortés shares why Ireland needs a standardised visa system that’s faster and more consistent.
Blog post
This blog discusses Australia's Resident Return visa and its associated "compelling reasons" criteria.
Blog post
Senior Associate Sarah Melnick discusses the available immigration options for individuals not selected in this year's H-1B Cap Lottery.
Media mentions
O Diretor de Imigração, Diogo Kloper, compartilha dados recentes sobre o aumento de vistos de trabalho para profissionais da produção de proteína halal.
Fragomen news
Silicon Valley Managing Partner Kristi Nevarez is recognized as an honoree in the Silicon Valley Business Journal's 2024 Latinx Business Leadership Awards.
Blog post
This blog discusses the complexities individuals face when navigating international travel while awaiting their residence permit in France.