Important Updates
Important Updates
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
September 17, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Immigration Processing Delays
September 17, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Delays for ‘Association Agreement with Türkiye’-Covered Applications
September 17, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Electronic Visa Platform Announced
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Draft Core Skills Occupation List for Proposed Skills in Demand Visa Released
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
September 17, 2025 | BelgiumBelgium: Immigration Processing Delays
September 17, 2025 | DenmarkDenmark: Delays for ‘Association Agreement with Türkiye’-Covered Applications
September 17, 2025 | United Arab EmiratesUnited Arab Emirates: New Electronic Visa Platform Announced
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: Draft Core Skills Occupation List for Proposed Skills in Demand Visa Released
September 16, 2025 | AustraliaAustralia: English Language Test Requirement Updated
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Weekly Immigration Update: February 3–9, 2023

February 9, 2023

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In immigration news this week:

  • Worldwide: As we enter the endemic phase of the COVID-19 era, travel restrictions and health requirements are waning based on growing vaccination initiatives, though some countries are imposing testing requirements for travelers from Mainland China, Macau SAR and/or Hong Kong SAR. We are tracking related updates on our COVID-19 website.
  • Türkiye: Due to the recent earthquake, immigration processes may be affected, including delayed or halted, due to government office closures, canceled appointments, and airport closures in southeastern Türkiye.
  • United States: The Department of Homeland Security will automatically extend through February 5, 2025 the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for certain individuals benefiting from Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Hong Kong.
  • Spain: All initial Spanish work and residence permit application forms submitted to the Large Companies Unit will soon need to be digitally signed using the company’s digital certificate.
  • Russia/Belarus: Russia and Belarus have finalized an agreement to recognize each other’s visas and right to enter and stay based on the other country’s residence permits. The agreement is expected to take effect no earlier than March.
  • Brexit updates: Portugal has opened residence registration services for family members of British citizens who are beneficiaries of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement. Additionally, Denmark has revised the Brexit application review process for certain cases. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • European Union/Ukraine: Bulgaria, Iceland, Lithuania, and Poland have revised guidance for Ukrainian nationals and those affected by the situation in Ukraine. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Minimum salary updates: Belarus, Czech Republic, and Finland have revised minimum salary threshold guidance. See our consolidated alert for details.

These items and other news from Azerbaijan, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Dominican Republic, France, Ireland, Japan, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, New Zealand, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Uruguay follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Spain, February 9, 2023
Digital Signatures to be Required for Initial Applications Submitted to Large Companies Unit

  • The Spanish authorities have confirmed that all initial work and residence permit application forms submitted to the Large Companies Unit will need to be digitally signed using the company’s digital certificate.
  • This change in process has not yet been publicly published, but once it is (expected before March 31, 2023), it is likely that wet signatures on these applications will no longer be accepted.
  • Companies who do not currently hold digital certificates should obtain one as soon as possible in advance of the switch to digital signatures. Otherwise, they will not be able to submit new applications for work and residence permits.
  • The change will ultimately streamline the application process by reducing the documentation companies are required to file for work and residence permit applications

To view entire article, click here.

 

Russia/Belarus, February 9, 2023
Mutual Visa Recognition

  • Russia and Belarus have finalized an agreement to recognize each other's visas and right to enter and stay on the basis of the other country’s residence permits.
  • This will allow individuals with visas or permits issued by one country to enter the other without having to undergo the other country’s visa requirements.
  • However, foreign nationals who are visa exempt in either Russia or Belarus but require a visa to enter the other country will still be required to obtain that visa. Nationals who are visa exempt in both Russia and Belarus can still travel to either of the counties, under existing visa-free arrangements

To view entire article, click here.

 

Türkiye, February 9, 2023
Immigration Processing Delays and Closures Due to Earthquake

  • As a result of the February 6, 2023 earthquake, immigration processes may be affected, delayed or canceled due to government office closures, canceled residence card appointments, and airport closures in southeastern Türkiye.
  • Individuals should confirm that government offices or airports are operating before attending in-person appointments or seeking to travel to the affected area.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, February 3, 2023
DHS Announces Automatic Extension of Hong Kong DED-Related EADs

  • The Department of Homeland Security has announced an automatic two-year extension of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for individuals benefiting from Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Hong Kong.
  • Hong Kong DED-related EADs expiring on February 5, 2023 have been automatically extended to February 5, 2025.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Azerbaijan, February 6, 2023
Visa and Work Authorization Changes in the Alyat Free Economic Zone

Canada, February 8, 2023
Extension of Hong Kong SAR Work Permit Program

Democratic Republic of Congo, February 8, 2023
New Documentary Requirement for Settlement Visa and Long-Term Work Permit Renewal and Departure

Dominican Republic, February 9, 2023
Passport Extension Process Implemented

France, February 6, 2023
Posted Worker Online Platform Improved

Ireland/United States, February 8, 2023
Extension of Working Holiday/Intern Work and Travel Program

Lithuania, February 7, 2023
Dual Citizenship Regulations Amended

Luxembourg, February 7, 2023
Relaxed Documentary Requirements for Posted Worker Notifications but New Requirements for International Transport Sector

Netherlands, February 8, 2023
Extension of Policy for Highly-Skilled Foreign Nationals to Work Without Residence Stickers/Documents

New Zealand, February 9, 2023
Reopening Dates for Capped Working Holiday Schemes Announced

Qatar/Japan, February 9, 2023
Mutual Visa Waiver Forthcoming

United Arab Emirates, February 6, 2023
Re-Entry Permit Now Available for UAE Residents Who Stay Outside the Country for Over Six Months

United Arab Emirates, February 9, 2023
Extension of Entry Validity Period for all Visa Categories Now Available

United Arab Emirates, February 9, 2023
Stricter Calculation of Emiratization Target Implemented

United States, February 8, 2023
January 2023 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times

Uruguay, February 6, 2023
Update on Short-Term Work Authorizations

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

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