Weekly Immigration Update: April 21–27, 2023
April 27, 2023
In immigration news this week:
- European Union/Ukraine: Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic and Luxembourg have released updated guidance for Temporary Protection status holders. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Australia: Beginning July 1, 2023, New Zealand citizens will no longer need to apply for permanent visas before becoming eligible for Australian citizenship.
- Brazil: Effective May 1, 2023, Brazil will no longer consider Seafarers’ Identity Documents issued in accordance with the International Labor Organization Convention 108 to be used as valid immigration documents for foreign seafarers to work in Brazil or in Brazilian territorial waters.
- Russia: The government has implemented an electronic conscription notice policy, where those subject to the conscription will receive a notice by email, SMS, or the national web portal Gosuslugi, and these notices will be published in an online register. This differs from the previous practice of serving in-person notices. According to the legislation, Russian citizens who have left the country for more than six months must notify their military recruitment office and delist themselves. Requirements may vary depending on the military office.
- South Africa: The Department of Home Affairs launched a consultation process for the Trusted Employer Scheme, which will allow eligible employers to utilize immigration processes with reduced administrative requirements and processing times.
These items and other news from Cameroon, Canada, Chile, Equatorial Guinea, European Union, Saudi Arabia, Spain, and Sweden follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
Australia, April 27, 2023
New Pathway to Citizenship for New Zealand Citizens Forthcoming
- Starting July 1, 2023, New Zealand citizens will no longer need to apply for a permanent visa before becoming eligible for Australian citizenship.
- These changes will apply to New Zealand citizens holding a Special Category (subclass 444) visa (SCV) who arrived in Australia after February 26, 2001.
- Once in effect, the provisions will apply to New Zealand citizens in Australia, and New Zealand citizens who are overseas but held an SCV immediately before last departing Australia.
To view the entire article, click here.
Brazil, April 27, 2023
Certain Seafarers’ Identity Documents to No Longer Be Accepted
- Effective May 1, 2023, Brazil will no longer consider Seafarers’ Identity Documents (SID), issued in accordance with the International Labor Organization (ILO) Convention 108, to be used as valid immigration documents for foreign seafarers to work in Brazil or in Brazilian territorial waters.
- Brazil ratified ILO Convention 185 in 2010, revoking ILO Convention 108, and which came into effect in 2015. However, Brazilian authorities continued to accept SIDs issued under ILO Convention 108 to permit the movement of seafarers.
- SIDs issued under ILO Convention 185 are issued under stricter eligibility and improved security features than those issued under ILO Convention 108.
- Furthermore, ILO Convention 185 has only been ratified by 38 countries; however, only some of these 38 countries currently issue SIDs in accordance with the requirements of the convention.
To view the entire article, click here.
South Africa, April 27, 2023
Consultation on Trusted Employer Scheme Pilot Program Launched
- The Department of Home Affairs has launched a consultation process for the piloting of a Trusted Employer Scheme, which will enable eligible employers to utilize immigration processes with reduced administrative requirements and shorter processing times.
- To qualify for the scheme, businesses must be in a sector identified as having national importance or strategic priority and must meet other criteria as determined by the Department of Home Affairs.
- The consultation process will close on May 19, 2023, after which employers will be able to apply for the pilot program when the opening of the program is announced.
To view the entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Cameroon, April 27, 2023
Government Fees Implemented for Work Permits, Increased for Residence Permits
Canada, April 26, 2023
Immigration Support for Sudanese Nationals Announced
Chile, April 26, 2023
Update on Concession for Expired Passports and Identification Cards for Venezuelan Nationals
Equatorial Guinea, April 26, 2023
Business and Tourist Visa Requirement for U.S. Passport Holders
European Union, April 21, 2023
New Social Security Rules for Cross-border Remote Workers
Saudi Arabia, April 25, 2023
Four New Special Economic Zones Created
Spain, April 24, 2023
Updates to Requirements for Digital Nomads and Entrepreneurs
Sweden, April 21, 2023
EU Blue Card Improvements Forthcoming
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
