Weekly Immigration Update: June 24–30, 2022

Australia: Increase in Certain Immigration Application Charges Forthcoming – Effective July 1, 2022, the Australian government will increase Visa Application Charges for most visas by 3% (rounded to the nearest AUD 5). Applicants must submit the following updated fees for the Temporary Skills Shortage (Subclass 482) visa – short-term stream: AUD 1,330 (up from AUD 1,290); for Temporary Work (Short Stay Specialist) (Subclass 400): AUD 325 (up from AUD 315); and for the Employer Nomination Scheme (Subclass 186): AUD 4,240 (up from AUD 4,115). Also effective July 1, 2022, the Australian government will increase fees for certain applications submitted to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) to AUD 3,153, from AUD 3,000. This fee increase applies to applications for review of decisions relating to visas other than protection visas and includes sponsorship and nomination decisions.

Denmark: Government Processing Delays – The government of Denmark announced that application processing times will be delayed as the government is prioritizing Ukrainian nationals’ applications. Delays are expected to continue until September 2022 and will affect, among other applications: short-term visas (45 days for new applications, up from 30 days); six months for extensions, up from three months); and permanent residence permits (13 months, up from 6-10 months).

Middle East: Increase in Insurance Contribution Rates for Bahraini Nationals and Their Employers in GCC Countries – The Social Insurance Organization (SIO) of Bahrain increased the contribution rates of Bahraini employees and employers working in both the public and private sectors of all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, excluding the United Arab Emirates. Effectively immediately, public and private sector employer contribution rates increased by 2%, raising the total contribution to 17%. Effective January 2023 until January 2028, employee rates are expected to increase by 1% at the start of every calendar year, bringing the total contribution percentage to 7%. Note that public and private employee contribution rates will remain unchanged until January 2023. The rates for the United Arab Emirates will also remain the same until further notice.

Middle East: Upcoming Government Closures – Government offices across the Middle East and North Africa will close during the upcoming Eid Al Adha holiday as follows – Bahrain: expected July 10–13; Egypt: expected July 10–14; Iraq: expected July 10–14; Iraqi Kurdistan: expected July 10–14; Jordan: expected July 9–14; Kuwait: July 10–17; Lebanon: expected July 9–13; Morocco: expected July 10–12; Oman: expected July 9–17; Pakistan: July 10–13; Qatar: expected July 10–17; Saudi Arabia: July 3–17; Tunisia: expected July 10–13; and United Arab Emirates: July 8–12. Employers and employees in these and other Middle Eastern and North African countries should expect longer processing times for various immigration applications as a result of the backlog accumulated during closures. 

Portugal: Online Investment-Based Residence Permit Applications Reopen – Individuals seeking investment-based residence permits ('golden visas') in Portugal can once again apply online following a parliament resolution. New golden visa applications were on hold from January through June 2022 while several legislative proposals to amend the golden visa program were pending with the Portuguese parliament. The parliament has rejected proposals to either end or expand the golden visa program, instead calling to reopen online applications under the stricter rules that took effect on January 1, 2022. Relatedly, golden visa renewals are delayed by ongoing appointment scheduling issues.

Russia/Uzbekistan: Relaxed Reciprocal Address Registration Rules – According to a reciprocal agreement, Uzbek citizens arriving in Russia now have 15 calendar days to register their address with local authorities, up from seven business days (and vice versa in Uzbekistan). Uzbek/Russian citizens staying in Russia/Uzbekistan for less than 15 days are exempt from address registration. Those who fail to timely register in either country may face a fine.

Russia: HQS Salary Notification Due July 29 – Employers have until July 29, 2022 to file second quarter notifications for salaries paid to highly-qualified specialists (HQS). The notification must state the salary paid to HQS from April 1, 2022 through July 1, 2022. The reported HQS salary should be no less than RUB 167,000 per calendar month or RUB 501,000 per quarter (if there was a break in work during the reported period). Violations of the established notification procedures, including failure to notify, will result in administrative fines for the employer. Failure to pay the minimum salary set for HQS may result in a ban on the company to employ new HQS employees for two years. Effective September 1, 2022, the HQS salary requirement is expected to increase to RUB 750,000 per quarter under a draft law still subject to review by the parliament and the Federal Council, and signature by the President.

Turkey: Upcoming Government Closure – Turkish government offices will be closed from midday July 8 through July 18 for a national holiday. Individuals and employers with applications should take this closure period into consideration as there may be delays and backlogs after the government reopens.