Weekly Immigration Update: January 21–27, 2022

Cyprus: Eligibility and Process for New Company Registration Program – As an update, Cypriot authorities published detailed guidance on eligibility requirements and the application process for companies seeking registration via the newly-established Business Facilitation Unit. Both new and existing companies are eligible, in any industry, provided they have 51% foreign (non-Cypriot and non-EU) share capital ownership. Interested companies must submit a business plan, corporate documents and (if already available) audit reports, proof of local business activity and local office lease. Companies do not have to demonstrate additional investment in Cyprus. Applications are filed by mail by a registered lawyer and are approved in approximately two business days. Successful applicants can then sponsor foreign national staff for work and residence authorization under the Highly Skilled Worker route. Foreign nationals must be locally hired on at least two-year contracts and must receive at least EUR 3,872 gross per month to be eligible. By March 1, 2022, the Business Facilitation Unit will also offer tax and social security registration services. Fragomen will monitor the new application route and will report on relevant developments.

Ghana: Foreign Nationals Must Use Non-Citizen Identification Card for Banking Transactions – The Bank of Ghana announced that the Non-Citizen Identification Card (NCC) will be the only type of identification accepted for foreign nationals conducting banking and financial transactions in Ghana, effective July 1, 2022. Currently, foreign nationals can use their passports as identification. Foreign nationals should be aware that the change will affect their transactions at Specialized Deposit-Taking Institutions; Non-Deposit-Taking Financial Institutions; Payment Service Providers and Dedicated Electronic Money Issuers; Forex Bureaus and Credit Reference Bureaus. Ghanaian nationals will be able to continue using their passports, voter identification card or NCC.

Kazakhstan: 2022 Quota Published – Kazakh authorities have published the 2022 work authorization quota at 28,352 spots, up 0.2 percent from the 2021 quota. The quota numbers are based on employer quota applications. As before, the quota is allocated among the regions in Kazakhstan. Regional employment departments are now accepting initial and renewal work permit applications under the quota.

Portugal: Non-Visa-Related Appointments Still Unavailable – As an update, non-visa-related appointments have been unavailable since July 2021, as a result of the Immigration Services Agency's tasks being reallocated to several public services agencies. Affected applications include family member applications where family members are already in Portugal based on, for example, a visa-exempt passport or alternative visa; EU Intra-Company Transferee Permit applications; and applications by EU permit holders. Fragomen anticipates that the situation will likely be resolved after a new government is formed following the January 30, 2022 elections.

Portugal: Update on Online Immigration Systems – As an update, online visa application services are progressing, with many consular posts now accepting online visa appointment scheduling, online or email document submission and/or online application filing. Regional variations continue to apply to the level of online consular services. Temporary residence permit renewal applications have also moved online for adult applicants for standard permits. EU Blue Card renewals, EU Long-Term Residence Card renewals, and children still require in-person renewal appointments.  Although the Portuguese Immigration and Border Service (SEF) announced in 2018 that it intended to move initial residence permit applications online as well, this project has experienced delays due to the pandemic.

Romania: Immigration Processing Delayed by Several Months – Immigration processing is delayed by several months across all permit types due to staffing issues and appointment overbooking. Every stage of the immigration process is impacted, including scheduling appointments for work authorization application filing, visa processing, residence permit processing and subsequent dependent applications. Employers and foreign nationals are advised to anticipate work start delays and initiate cases early.

Russia: New Fingerprinting and Photographing Submission Center Opens – Further to the updated fingerprinting rules implemented in Russia, foreign nationals and dependents can now submit medical certificates and undergo fingerprinting and photograph procedures at a new Migration Center office in Moscow located at Bakhrushina Street 18. This office does not conduct medical exams. Foreign nationals must undergo a medical exam at an authorized clinic in Moscow and obtain their medical certificates before visiting the Migration Center office at Bakhrushina Street 18. The government is expected to add more authorized medical institutions, including three private clinics, though details about this expansion have not yet been published. Fragomen will report on relevant developments.

South Africa: Extension of Stay for Holders of Expired Zimbabwe Exemption Permits – South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs issued a directive allowing Zimbabwean nationals who are holders of expired Zimbabwe Exemption Permits (ZEP) to continue to remain in South Africa until December 31, 2022 – an extension of 12 months – while applying for other visas. During the extended period, ZEP holders will not be arrested, deported or detained for not having a valid permit; they will not be declared illegal; they will be allowed to enter and depart South Africa provided they comply with entry and departure requirements; and they will not be required to provide an authorization letter (showing good cause for the expiration of their permit or waiver) to remain in South Africa or to apply for any other visa within South Africa.

Sweden: Case Processing Delays – Immigration applications in Sweden face several weeks' processing delay, even for fast-track certified companies whose applications are typically expedited. Processing times are four to six weeks for initial applications (up from two to four weeks) and three to four months for renewals and permanent residence applications (up from two to three months), and may be prolonged due to an accumulating backlog in the coming weeks. Delays are due to an increase in application volume and permanent residence permit process changes, causing longer case review for these applications. Companies are advised to initiate cases early and to ensure thorough provision of documents and information to make case processing more efficient.

Ukraine: Visa Waiver for Belarus Nationals Extended – Ukraine has extended the 180-day multiple entry visa waiver, which covers both business and tourist visits and D visa applications, for nationals of Belarus, by another year. The waiver now applies until December 31, 2022.