APAC: Processing Delays, Government Closures and Travel Delays May Occur Around Lunar New Year

The situation

Consulates, embassies and government offices across the APAC region have temporarily closed or suspended services, or are working at reduced capacity or via remote arrangements. Additionally, certain consular posts are imposing additional document requirements, at times without prior notice, as part of their restrictions for business and work-related travels.

Impact

• Processing delays from closures and restrictions. Immigration applicants are experiencing widespread delays and extended document legalization processing times (between three to six months in some jurisdictions), with little or no ability to expedite.  Processing delays are also being caused by consular posts adding documentation requirements to applications.
• Delays from limited appointments and lockdowns. Fewer agencies and consulates are allowing “walk-in” applications and have replaced these with online booking systems to facilitate applications. Available appointments are limited, to stem the transmission of COVID-19 and to comply with locally mandated health protocols.  As a result, demand for appointments remains high. In some counties, such as Australia, Vietnam and the Philippines, lockdown measures are continuing to cause logistical difficulties, e.g., limited access to facilities such as public notary offices and delays in document delivery. 

Looking ahead

It is likely that government offices will continue to be closed intermittently, depending on the number of COVID-19 cases in the country where the government office is located, especially in jurisdictions considered COVID-19 hot spots.

Fragomen's worldwide consular team is gathering information and monitoring consulate, embassy and government office closures and key announcements and will advise affected clients on a case-by-case basis.

For up-to-date information on COVID-19-related travel bans, health and entry requirements, restrictions and concessions, check Fragomen’s dedicated COVID-19 website.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].