Weekly Immigration Update: December 24–30, 2021
December 30, 2021
In immigration news this week:
- Worldwide: Jurisdictions around the world continue to adapt their coronavirus-related travel restrictions and health requirements based on several factors, including fluctuating infection rates and growing vaccination initiatives. Visit Fragomen’s COVID-19 website for the latest immigration updates.
- Singapore: Beginning February 1, 2022, employers seeking to hire foreign nationals under a work pass will need to submit a vaccination declaration. Additionally, applicants for the Long-Term Visit Pass, Student’s Pass, or those seeking to apply for permanent residence will also need to prove that they are vaccinated.
- United States: A presidential proclamation will go into effect on December 31 at 12:01 am ET, lifting the travel ban for foreign nationals recently present in one of eight countries in Southern Africa. U.S. consulates have been granted new and extended authority to waive certain nonimmigrant visa interviews for several categories of visa classifications through December 31, 2022. U.S. consulates will also have the indefinite authority to continue to waive the in-person interview requirement for foreign nationals applying for any type of nonimmigrant visa in the same classification, where the prior visa had expired within 48 months.
- Minimum salary updates: France will increase both the minimum wage and the minimum salaries for the Talent Passport and Job Search Residence Permit. See this consolidated alert for more information.
These items and other news from the Cayman Islands, the European Union, India, Italy, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
Singapore, December 30, 2021
Vaccination Declaration to be Required for all Foreign Employees and Dependents
- Starting February 1, 2022, employers seeking to hire foreign nationals under a valid work pass will need to submit a vaccination declaration stating that these individuals are fully vaccinated upon arrival in Singapore. Similarly, Long-Term Visit Pass, Student’s Pass, or those seeking to apply for permanent residence in Singapore will need to be fully vaccinated. Limited exceptions will apply for these residents.
- Individuals who were vaccinated overseas will need to update their vaccination records in Singapore’s national registry and will have 30 days after arrival to show a positive serology test result. Those who test negative will need to complete a full vaccination regimen in Singapore or face revocation of their passes.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, December 28, 2021
Proclamation Confirms Southern Africa Travel Ban to Be Terminated on December 31
- President Biden has issued a proclamation, effective 12:01am ET on December 31, 2021, that lifts the travel ban for foreign nationals recently present in one of eight Southern African countries.
- After the ban lifts, foreign nationals with recent physical presence in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe will remain subject to the U.S. COVID vaccination and testing requirements applicable to all international air travelers.
- Foreign nationals whose visa applications were refused solely due to the Southern African ban are advised to contact their local embassy or consulate to request reconsideration. However, due to COVID restrictions and consular resource issues, consulates may not be able to schedule affected applicants immediately.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, December 27, 2021
State Dept. Expands and Extends Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Waiver Program Through 2022
U.S. consulates have been given new authority to waive certain nonimmigrant visa interviews for several categories of individual petition-based visa classifications through December 31, 2022. The expanded authority applies to H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P and Q applicants who are applying based on an individual nonimmigrant visa petition, among other criteria.
- A revised version of the existing policy authorizing interview waivers for certain F, M, and academic J nonimmigrants will be extended to December 31, 2022.
- U.S. consulates will also have the indefinite authority to continue to waive the in-person interview requirement for foreign nationals applying for any type of nonimmigrant visa in the same classification, where the prior visa has expired within 48 months.
- U.S. consulates are not required to implement these interview waiver policies but may do so as local conditions and resources allow. Implementation will vary by post.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Cayman Islands: Remote Work Program Expanded - The government of the Cayman Islands has extended the Global Citizen Concierge Programme until October 2022 and has expanded its allowable proof of income. The program was launched in December 2020 and allows foreign nationals who are employed by an entity outside of the Cayman Islands to reside in the Cayman Islands for up to two years and work remotely from there.
European Union: Entry/Exit System in Effect Starting Q1-Q2 2022 – As part of its ‘Smart Borders’ initiative, the Entry/Exit System (EUSS) is expected to take effect during the first half of 2022. The system will impact non-EU nationals (both short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers) traveling from outside of the European Union to EU countries. Under the system, these travelers will no longer receive a passport stamp at border checkpoints and instead will need to register their name, travel document, biometric data, and place of entry and exit on a digital system. Refusals of entry will also be registered. The system is expected to improve security measures at Schengen Area borders, facilitate the detection of overstays in the Schengen Area, improve access to information for travelers entering Europe, and make documentation checks at borders faster and more efficient. The stored data will be accessible to immigration authorities for the purposes of border controls, visa issuance and other immigration matters.
India: Deadline to Obtain Overseas Citizen of India Cards Extended to December 31, 2022 - The deadline for all Person of India (PIO) cardholders (machine and non-machine-readable) to obtain Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards has been extended to December 31, 2022 from December 31, 2021. Subject to the discretion of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), an earlier deadline may be provided which would invalidate non-machine-readable PIO cards. All PIO cardholders (machine and non-machine-readable) are advised to convert their PIO cards to OCI cards by December 31, 2022.
Italy: 2022 Quotas Announced for Non-EU Nationals - Effective January 1, 2022, a quota of 69,700 work authorizations will be available for non-EU nationals, up almost 126% from 2020-2021. The quota will be divided into the following categories:
- 42,000 spots for seasonal work (up from 18,000);
- 27,700 spots for local hires in specific sectors, reserved for certain nationalities (up from 6,000);
- 2,000 spots for change of status (down from 6,150);
- 500 spots for self-employed work (same as last year’s quota), and;
- 200 spots for other categories (new allocation as of 2022).
Because the 2021 quota has been exhausted for these positions, foreign nationals with applications subject to the new quotas should wait to submit their applications until after January 1, 2022.
United Arab Emirates: New Appointment System for Emirates Identity Card Biometrics - Effective immediately, individuals who are required to submit their fingerprints for the issuance of an Emirates Identity Card (EID) must now book an appointment with a preferred branch of the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security (FAICCPS). Previously, appointments were not mandatory, and applicants who were required to submit their biometric data could do so at their convenience. Under the new system, those who are unable to attend the appointment after having confirmed it with the FAICCPS, may reschedule the appointment at the designated FAICCPS centre; it is currently not possible to amend the dates online. Applicants ages 16 and above who visit any of the FAICCPS branches must hold proof of COVID-19 vaccination, or a negative result of COVID-19 PCR test conducted no more than 48 hours before their visit. In November, the FAICCPS introduced new rules relating to the issuance of the Emirates Identity Card, including a specific deadline for the submission of biometrics and digital photographs.
United States: State Department Proposes Increase in Certain Consular Fees - The U.S. State Department has released a proposed rule that would increase certain consular fees, including fees for common nonimmigrant visa types. Public comments on the proposed fee increases will be accepted by the State Department through February 28, 2022. After consideration of public comments, the agency will publish a final rule to implement the fee increases. The specific proposed increases are as follows:
- Non-petition based nonimmigrant visas (except E visas): $245 (from $160)
- H, L, O, P, Q, and R visas: $310 (from $190)
- E visas: $485 (from $205)
- Border crossing card – age 15 and older: $245 (from $160)
- Waiver of two-year residency requirement: $510 (from $120)
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
