Fragomen Immigration Update: November 22 - December 1

In immigration news this week, a number of changes to the United Kingdom Immigration Rules came into effect on November 24. This includes closure of the Tier 2 ICT Skills Transfer subcategory, changes to minimum salary levels in several categories, a new requirement for certain dependents to show continuous residence, and the abolishment of the 28-day grace period for in-country Further Leave to Remain applications made by visa overstayers.

In Canada, Mexican citizens flying to or transiting through Canada require an electronic travel authorization effective December 1, 2016.

India is transforming its e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme into a system that will merge tourist, business, medical and conference visas into a 60-day multiple-entry visa under a new name.

In Italy, a new visa category for investors is forthcoming. Also in Italy, effective December 26, EU and non-EU employers seconding employees will be subject to new reporting and document retention requirements.

Singapore’s Ministry of Manpower now requires companies to obtain written consent from foreign nationals for all new and renewal work pass applications.

Third-party agents in Indonesia are still allowed to submit applications and documents on behalf of a company as long as they present a copy of a nominated company representative's company identification card, despite an earlier regulation which disallowed third parties from transacting with the Directorate General of Immigration. This policy is subject to change without notice.

These items and other news from Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Peru follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important Updates in Immigration This Week

India, December 1, 2016
Simplified Visa System Forthcoming

India is revising its visa system to attract travelers and boost trade. The first step will be a transformed e-Tourist Visa (eTV) scheme that will merge tourist, business, medical and conference visas into to a 60-day multiple-entry visa under a new name. Nationals from eight additional countries will be eligible for the new scheme.

To view entire article, click here.

Italy, November 30, 2016
New Visa Program Forthcoming for Investors

Italy has introduced a new visa category for investors. When it is fully implemented, the visa will offer qualified foreign investors an initial validity period of two years, renewable for three-year periods upon verification that the investment is maintained as outlined in the law. Dependents will be eligible for sponsorship under the main applicant's visa.

To view entire article, click here.

Italy, November 29, 2016
New Obligations Forthcoming for Foreign Companies Posting Foreign Workers

On or after December 26, 2016, EU and non-EU employers seconding employees to Italy will be required to submit an online notification through the Labour and Social Policy portal, report any updates to their employees' information within five days of the change, maintain employee documentation for up to two years after the assignment end date and appoint a company representative.

To view entire article, click here.

United Kingdom, November 29, 2016
Tier 1 and Tier 2, Other Changes in Effect

A number of important changes to the Immigration Rules came into effect on November 24, 2016, including closure of the Tier 2 ICT Skills Transfer subcategory, changes to minimum salary levels in several categories, a new requirement for certain dependants to show continuous residence, and the abolishment of the 28-day grace period for in-country Further Leave to Remain applications made by visa overstayers.

To view entire article, click here.

Papua New Guinea, November 29, 2016
Holiday Closures Require Early Filing; New Training Report Requirements

Due to holiday closures at the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations, initial Work Permit applications must be submitted by November 30, 2016 and renewal applications should be submitted three months before the Work Permit expiration date. Additionally, Work Permit holders who seek to change employers must submit a Training Report before filing a Work Permit application under a new employer.  Finally, employers are reminded that they must submit cancellation notifications on behalf of terminated foreign employees or those who have ended their assignment early.

To view entire article, click here.

Indonesia, November 28, 2016
Update on Third Parties’ Transactions with Directorate General of Immigration and Related Developments

Third-party agents are currently still allowed to submit applications and documents on behalf of a company as long as they present a copy of the nominated company representative's company identification card. This more lenient policy is subject to change without notice. In conjunction with this change, the Directorate General of Immigration is transitioning to a fully online process which should eventually eliminate the requirement for manual Telex VITAS submissions and in-person appearances by a company representative. Additionally, the DGI may now require Telex VITAS applicants to provide recent personal bank statements. Finally, the local immigration offices have discontinued issuing physical KITAS cards.

To view entire article, click here.

Canada, November 28, 2016
Mexican Citizens Can Now Apply for Electronic Travel Authorization

When their visa requirement is lifted on December 1, 2016, Mexican citizens flying to or transiting through Canada will require an electronic travel authorization (eTA), for which they can apply now through a paper application until December 1.  After December 1, they will be able to apply for an eTA online. Until December 1, 2016, Mexican citizens still need a temporary resident visa to travel to Canada.

To view entire article, click here.

Singapore, November 22, 2016
Written Consent from Foreign National Now Required for Work Pass Applications

The Ministry of Manpower now requires companies to obtain written consent from the foreign national candidates they sponsor for work passes. This applies to all new and renewal work pass applications.

To view entire article, click here.

Other Immigration News This Week

Hong Kong: Vietnamese Nationals Now Eligible for Training Visas – Due to a recent policy change, the Hong Kong Immigration Department (HKID) is now allowing Vietnamese nationals to apply for Training Visas to attend training in Hong Kong. They were ineligible to apply for this visa prior to this change. In order to qualify, applicants must fulfill the same eligibility criteria as other foreign applicants. Vietnamese nationals are still subject to other current immigration restrictions and remain ineligible to apply for Employment Visas in Hong Kong. Those seeking assistance with a training visa application should contact their immigration professional.

Peru: Change of Status Appointments Delayed – Foreign nationals seeking to change status in Peru – who must schedule an appointment to do so – are subject to appointment delays of up to four weeks, up from the usual two weeks. Currently, the earliest available appointment is on December 27.  Foreign nationals in Peru are advised to delay their trips abroad, secure an appointment as soon as possible or consider scheduling their appointment for after the holidays, if possible.

Global Immigration News Links

• The U.S. Supreme Court appeared potentially deadlocked earlier this week over how long immigrants facing deportation can be detained without court hearings.
• Officials in U.S. sanctuary cities have vowed to oppose President-Elect Donald Trump if he follows through on a campaign promise to deport millions of undocumented immigrants.
• The Guardian’s editorial board discusses why international student migration is too valuable to limit.
• Net migration in the United Kingdom has remained near record levels, standing at 335,000 in the year to June, BBC reports.
• The Swiss government plans to send parliament a broad new treaty with the European Union to replace a number of bilateral deals currently under strain from immigration.

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

© 2016 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.