Fragomen Immigration Update: July 2 - 9, 2015
July 10, 2015
In immigration news this week, the UK Migration Advisory Committee is seeking public comment on second proposal to limit migration of professionals and intracompany transferees under Tier 2 of the Points-Based System. The deadline for public responses is September 25, 2015.
Croatian nationals can now work without work permits in eight European Union countries, including Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain, according to an official communication from the European Commission.
Australia introduced a new Premium Investor Visa for foreign nationals seeking to invest at least AUD 15 million and implemented new criteria for the Significant Investor Visa and Investor and Business Innovation Visa.
Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) now requires local MOM officers to abide by stricter standards when conducting worksite compliance inspections.
The Shanghai Public Security Bureau released details on relaxed Permanent Residency eligibility rules for skilled workers, new graduates and other foreign workers in Shanghai.
These items and other news from the European Union, India, Peru, Philippines, Russia, Thailand, Ukraine and United Arab Emirates follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
Indonesia, July 10, 2015
Stricter Regulation of Employer Compliance Checks Implemented
Local Ministry of Manpower (MOM) officers who conduct worksite compliance inspections are now required to abide by stricter standards, according to a new Circular Letter issued by the MOM. Officers are now obligated to conduct routine inspections at companies that employ foreign workers and must check for new corporate and immigration documentation.
To view entire article, click here.
Thailand, July 9, 2015
New Rules for Long-Term Visa Applications Filed at One Stop Service Center
Some foreign workers applying for long-term visas at the One Stop Service Center must now provide proof of income tax payment prior to filing the applications, due to a recent trend of fraudulent filings. Employers must now also provide evidence of monthly income tax payments for all foreign employees with short-term, long-term or project work permits.
To view entire article, click here.
China, July 8, 2015
Details on Relaxed Requirements for Skilled Workers in Shanghai Released
New policy details further define the R (Talent) Visa category and its benefits, such as 90-day processing of Permanent Residence Permit applications and the ability to hire foreign housekeeping workers. The improvements outlined in our earlier client alert, including Permanent Residence status eligibility for some foreign workers and easier Residence Permit eligibility for foreign students and entrepreneurs under the Private Affairs category, among others, have been memorialized in the regulations.
To view entire article, click here.
European Union, July 8, 2015
Eight EU Countries Eliminate Work Permit Restrictions for Croatian Nationals
Croatian nationals can now work without work permits in Belgium, Cyprus, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg and Spain, due to the expiration of the work permit restrictions issued when Croatia became a member of the European Union. Reciprocally, Croatia has eliminated work permit restrictions for nationals of these EU member-states as well. The next EU-wide review of the work restriction provision for Croatian nationals is set for 2018.
To view entire article, click here.
Russia, July 7, 2015
Employers Must Report Highly Qualified Specialists' Salaries by End of July
Employers must report this quarter's Highly Qualified Specialists’ monthly salaries by July 31, 2015. Employers can submit their report in person or mail it to the local Federal Migration Services office.
To view entire article, click here.
Australia, July 3, 2015
New Investor Visa Category and Reforms to Investor Programs Introduced
A new Premium Investor Visa has been introduced for foreign nationals who seek to invest at least AUD 15 million in Australia. The investment structure of the Significant Investor Visa program has been reformed to encourage investment in emerging Australian companies. Additionally, secondary visa holders can now act as the primary visa applicant for permanent residency applications in the Investor and Business Innovation streams if they meet residency and investment requirements.
To view entire article, click here.
United Kingdom, July 2, 2015
Advisory Committee Proposes Tier 2 Minimization
The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has published a second consultation document seeking advice regarding reducing Tier 2 migration and reliance on migrants to fill local employment shortages. The MAC has asked for advice on the impact of significantly reducing the number of jobs that qualify as genuine skills shortages, preventing Tier 2 dependent visa holders from working in the UK, a skills tax for employers recruiting non-EU workers under the Tier 2 category, and the effects of an immigration health tax on intracompany transferees, among other issues. The deadline for public responses to this consultation document is September 25, 2015.
To view entire article, click here.
Other Immigration News This Week
European Union/Ukraine: EU Countries Extend Biometric Data Requirement to Ukrainian Nationals – Ukrainian nationals applying for a Schengen visa must submit digitized fingerprints and a digitized photograph, which will be valid for subsequent Schengen visa applications for 59 months. Children under the age of twelve and government workers, among others, are exempt from the requirement. Affected Ukrainian nationals should contact their immigration professional to determine the best way to submit their biometric information.
The requirement of biometric data is part of the implementation of the EU Visa Information System, which will eventually apply worldwide. Similar rules have already been implemented for U.S. citizens and others applying for a Schengen visa.
India: New Location for Hyderabad Foreign Registration Office – As of July 13, the Foreigner Regional Registration Office of the Bureau of Immigration in Hyderabad will be moved to Room 301 on the third floor of CGO Towers in Kabadiguda from the existing office at Hyderabad Old Airport at Begumket. Appointments at the Old Airport office will still be honored at the new office.
Peru: Visa Appointment Changes Subject to New Fee – Foreign workers applying for and renewing work or resident visas who need to change their immigration office appointment time or date must now pay an additional government fee of approximately USD 37 for in-country appointment changes or USD 34 for consular appointment changes, according to an announcement on the MIGRACIONES website. The government fee receipt issued to applicants will only be valid for one appointment, and every new appointment requires a new payment.
Philippines: Work Permit Processing and Approval Delays – Foreign nationals filing Alien Employment Permit, Work Permit and visa applications with the Department of Labor and Employment and Bureau of Immigration should expect longer than usual processing times, apparently due to a high volume of applications. There may also be delays in the release of application approvals. Foreign nationals with pending applications should account for potential start date delays.
United Arab Emirates: Mandatory Online Visa Application System Forthcoming – Starting September 1, 2015, non-Free Zone employers in Free Trade Zones applying for and renewing residency permits and visit visas must use an online application system, according to an announcement by the General Directorate of Residency and Foreigners Affairs (GDRFA). A company representative, public relations officer, owner, partner, or authorized signatory must register for the system by visiting one of the GDRFA’s branches in Dubai to obtain login credentials. Employers must also register for an electronic payment service called Noqodi, which is currently available through Emirates Islamic Bank, Emirates NBD, Commercial Bank of Dubai, Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Mashreq Bank and Dubai Islamic Bank.
Global Immigration News Links
In an address to the American Chamber of Commerce Ireland, House Speaker John Boehner said he plans to make immigration reform a top priority.
Hillary Rodham Clinton used the first major interview of her presidential campaign to criticize Republican candidate Jeb Bush for supporting an immigration policy that would not provide a path to citizenship for the 11 million undocumented immigrants living in the United States.
About 60 immigration advocacy groups are calling on the Senate Appropriations Committee to exclude proposed language in a State Department funding bill that would suspend aid to Central American countries if their governments fail to address the crisis of unaccompanied children migrating to the United States.
Canadian attitudes on immigration and multiculturalism have become more positive over the past few years, according to a recent Environics Institute survey.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
