Fragomen Immigration Update: September 9 - 15, 2016
September 16, 2016
In immigration news this week, a new law in Romania delineates several changes related to intracompany transferees, including new rules for managers, specialists and trainees and an exception to the long-term residence permit requirement.
In the Czech Republic, foreign employees seeking to work for over 90 days must now obtain an Employee Card at a Czech consulate prior to entry. They can no longer file an Employee Card application and a short-term work visa application simultaneously.
In Kazakhstan, companies in the oil and gas, financial, consulting and other sectors will be subject to a new work permit fee starting January 1, 2017.
Malaysia implemented a series of changes for employers registered with the Expatriate Services Division, including a longer passport validity requirement, specific entry requirements, a new cooling-off period for certain renewal and conversion applications and new regulations regarding the Professional Visit Pass.
These items and other news from Bangladesh, Gabon, India, Israel, Spain and Taiwan follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important Updates in Immigration This Week
Romania, September 15, 2016
New Law Implements Intracompany Transferee Rules
A new law delineates several changes related to intracompany transferees (ICTs) in Romania, including new rules for managers, specialists and trainees and an exception to the long-term residence permit requirement for holders of an ICT permit issued by another EU Member State. The new rules are meant to encourage the migration of qualified non-EU workers in the European Union.
Czech Republic, September 14, 2016
Foreign Employees Must Now Obtain Employee Card Prior to Entry
Foreign nationals seeking to work in the Czech Republic for over 90 days must now separately obtain an Employee Card at a Czech consulate - which can take up to 90 days to process - after obtaining a work permit and prior to starting work in the Czech Republic. They can no longer file an Employee Card application and a short-term work visa application simultaneously at a Czech consulate, which would allow entry once the short-term work visa was approved, which usually took 14 days.
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Kazakhstan, September 13, 2016
Work Permit Fee Forthcoming
On or after January 1, 2017, companies in the oil and gas, financial, consulting and other sectors will be subject to a new work permit fee. Companies hiring intracompany transferees will be exempt from this requirement.
India, September 13, 2016
Important Information on Karnataka and Tamil Nadu Situation
Due to the Supreme Court of India's ruling over the Cauvery River - an interstate water sharing issue that has increased political tensions in the states of Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, especially in Bangalore - foreign nationals in these areas should expect immigration application processing delays and rescheduled appointments over the next week. Employers in these areas should account for their employees and foreign nationals should avoid unnecessary travel through Karnataka and Tamil Nadu through this week.
Gabon, September 9, 2016
Government Offices Closed, Delays and Increased Security Due to Violent Protests
Government offices, including immigration offices, remain closed following violent protests after election officials declared the incumbent president the winner of the recent presidential election. Foreign nationals should observe security measures, carry their immigration documentation and avoid unnecessary travel. Businesses and foreign nationals should expect significant delays in immigration application processing.
Malaysia, September 9, 2016
Expatriate Services Division Guidelines Revised
A series of changes and new requirements have been implemented for employers registered with the Expatriate Services Division, including a longer passport validity requirement, specific entry requirements, a new cooling-off period for certain renewal and conversion applications and new regulations regarding the Professional Visit Pass.
Other Immigration News This Week
Bangladesh: Board of Investment Replaced by New Agency – A new law has merged the functions of the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Privatization Commission of Bangladesh, creating a new agency called the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA). All applications and communications previously filed with the BOI will now be processed by the BIDA. Employers and foreign nationals should expect processing delays during the transition period.
Israel: Ministry of Interior Strike to Delay Tel Aviv Visa Processing – Foreign nationals awaiting Israeli visas in Tel Aviv should expect processing delays due to this week’s Ministry of Interior strike. The duration of the strike remains unknown. Local Ministry Of Interior offices outside of Tel Aviv and the Work Permit Unit are not affected by the strike. Employers and foreign nationals with urgent pending applications should contact their immigration professional for advice. Fragomen worked closely with Kan-Tor & Acco Law Firm (Israel) to prepare this alert.
Spain: Saturday Closures to Increase Processing Times – Due to the Spanish government's decision to close public offices on Saturdays, employers and foreign nationals should expect longer processing times, in spite of the fact that statutory processing times remain unchanged. Employers and foreign nationals should file their immigration applications and related documents earlier than normal to account for this new schedule.
Taiwan: Travel Authorization Certificate Expanded – Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has expanded the coverage of the Travel Authorization Certificate (TAC) to include nationals of Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos. Previously, only nationals of India, Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam were eligible. A TAC allows qualified travelers to apply for and obtain entry rights to Taiwan online, as opposed to the typical in-person process. The certificate allows business activities during multiple entries up to 30 days each in a 90-day period.
Global Immigration News Links
House Republicans who favor an immigration overhaul face potential losses, the New York Times reports.
The Obama administration plans to raise the number of refugees admitted to the U.S. by 30 percent in the 2017 fiscal year, which starts October 1, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The Huffington Post looks into how U.S. immigration policy has changed since 9/11.
The Australian immigration system faces calls for reform, the Financial Times reports.
A conservative Swiss party has pulled its support for a compromise deal on EU immigration, and would push instead for quotas on workers from the bloc, Reuters reports.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
