Weekly Immigration Update: March 31–April 6, 2023

Ireland, April 6, 2023
2023 Immigration Plan Actions Published

The Department of Justice has published the actions it will take in 2023 to continue pursuing its strategy of improving Ireland’s immigration system. Key actions include:

• A roadmap for a single customer service function and the continued transition of all immigration services to online processes;
• The restructuring of immigration services to improve customer service while also maintaining the security of the immigration system; and
• The elimination of processing backlogs across all immigration application types.

These are initial intentions and do not have any policy impact at this time. The Department is expected to publish updates on the progress of the strategy in mid-2023 and again at the end of the year.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Arab Emirates, April 6, 2023
New Regulations Clarify Important Aspects of Immigration Process

• The UAE government has published new regulations that outline eligibility and other conditions for entry and for the issuance of various visas; that implement new visa categories; and that provide other important clarifications.
• The new law provides much-awaited clarity on some important aspects of the UAE immigration process.
• The most notable changes are clarifications on the eligibility criteria for the Green Visa for investors and business partners, and the visit visa for exploring business opportunities; expansion of categories exempt from the provision invalidating a residence permit if the holder remains outside the United Arab Emirates for 180 days; and clarification on the maximum allowable duration of stay after residence permit expiry or cancellation.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Malaysia, April 5, 2023
Expatriate Services Division Introduces Instant Approvals for Projection Applications

• The Malaysian government is now granting instant approvals for foreign national projection applications after companies submit complete requirements online to the Expatriate Services Division.
• Employers can now immediately file Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass applications after receiving the projection approval, avoiding the month-long wait for companies in other divisions.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Denmark, April 5, 2023
New Routes and Expanded Eligibility for Immigration Pathways Implemented

• On April 1, 2023, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration implemented amendments to the Danish Aliens Act.
• Changes to the law include a new Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme; relaxed rules for employers related to the Fast Track scheme; a longer validity period for automatic jobseeker permits for third-country nationals with a Danish degree; new rules regarding the Positive List; and expanded eligibility for the Start-up Denmark scheme.
• SIRI has also introduced a new methodology to calculate incomes that will be more transparent.
• The amendments are intended to increase employment and fill labor gaps in Denmark, while simultaneously protecting the local labor market.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Singapore, April 4, 2023
Enhanced Medical Insurance Requirements for Work Permit and S Pass Holders

• The Singapore government announced that it will enhance the minimum medical insurance requirements for all new and existing Work Permit (including migrant domestic workers) and S Pass holders in two stages.
• Starting July 1, 2023 (Stage 1), employers will be required to co-pay 25% for claim amounts above the first SGD 15,000, with a new increased annual claim limit of SGD 60,000.
• Starting July 1, 2025 (Stage 2), the Singapore government will standardize allowable exclusion clauses, introduce age-differentiated premiums, and mandate direct reimbursement from insurers to hospitals.
• The government recommends that employers engage with insurers early ahead of the above implementation dates to avoid any inconvenience.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Kingdom, April 3, 2023
Sponsor Guidance Updated

• On March 31, 2023, the Home Office updated Part 3 of the sponsor guidance (sponsor duties and compliance), which is effective immediately.
• The new guidance introduces a definition of “hybrid working pattern” and other information concerning hybrid work, and describes the additional requirements for sponsoring offshore workers. The latter requirement goes into effect on April 12, 2023.
• The guidance also clarifies the following information: reporting duties, including due to unauthorized absences; circumstances under which certain reported changes will automatically be approved in the Sponsor Management System; validity of sponsor licenses under UK Expansion Worker or Scale-up routes; and penalties for provisional sponsors on the UK Expansion Worker route.
• Employers should review internal process and procedural documents to ensure that they reflect the updated guidance and provide staff training on the new reporting duties.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Bulgaria, March 31, 2023
Short-Term Work Authorization No Longer an Option for Some Short-Term Assignments

• Companies from a single corporate group that seek to send a foreign national to Bulgaria under a service agreement must now apply for a long-term work authorization, even for short-term assignments, according to a change in policy.
• Long-term work authorization programs in Bulgaria can take up to nine months from the start of the process until the start date, which will cause start date delays.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Hong Kong SAR, March 31, 2023
Mandatory Online Applications for Certain Talent Admission Schemes Introduced

• Starting April 2, 2023, the Immigration Department (ImmD) of Hong Kong SAR will only accept initial visa and extension of stay applications for certain talent admission schemes on the online platform.
• Applicants will only be able to submit, pay and collect their e-Visa through the online platform.
• Eligibility and approval criteria will remain the same.
• Though processing may be faster under the online system, affected applicants lose the flexibility of filing in-person applications where urgent travel plans could be brought up to the immigration officers’ consideration.

To view entire article, click here.