Weekly Immigration Update: May 10–16, 2024
May 16, 2024
In immigration news this week:
- Ireland: Effective May 15, eligible partners of various Irish employment permit holders are permitted to work without obtaining a separate employment permit.
- United Kingdom: The Migration Advisory Committee has published its rapid review of the Graduate visa route, concluding that the route should remain in place in its current form.
- Mainland China/Hong Kong SAR/Macau SAR: The National Immigration Administration (NIA) of Mainland China has announced several policies to further facilitate the travel of Mainland Chinese residents to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR.
- Thailand: The Thai government has extended the visa exemption for nationals of Russia until October 31. See our news brief for details.
- Sri Lanka: Sri Lanka has extended the visa exemption for nationals of Mainland China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Russia, and Thailand. See our news brief for details.
- Mexico/Ecuador: Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility has announced that it will suspend all services at the Ecuadorian Consulates in Mexico City and Monterrey on May 16 until further notice. See our alert for details.
- Russia/Belarus: The commencement of a mutual visa recognition scheme has been further delayed. See our alert for details.
- Ukraine: The suspension of consular services for military-age male citizens living abroad may not affect Temporary Protection Directive beneficiaries, depending on each EU Member State's interpretation. See our news brief for details.
- Trinidad and Tobago: Implementation of the online visa application process is complete, though certain technical issues persist. See our news brief for details.
- Qatar: The sponsorship transfer request process has been updated. See our news brief for details.
- Slovakia: A regulation that will relax visa rules for certain labor shortage occupations is expected to take effect on July 15. See our news brief for details.
- Minimum salary update: Finland has raised the minimum salary for certain residence permits. See our consolidated alert for details.
These items and other news from Austria, Bahrain, Mainland China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, the Gulf Cooperation Council countries, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, and the United States follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
Mainland China/Hong Kong SAR/Macau SAR, May 16, 2024
Eased Travel Rules for Chinese Residents to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR
The National Immigration Administration of Mainland China has announced the following policies to further facilitate the travel of Mainland Chinese residents to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR:
- A new online process for Mainland Chinese residents of 20 cities in Mainland China who are seeking to replace or reissue their immigration documents;
- Expanded business endorsement application options for Mainland Chinese residents seeking to travel to Hong Kong SAR or Macau SAR;
- An expansion of the multiple-entry talent endorsement process in Beijing and Shanghai; and
- Longer allowable stays for Mainland Chinese business endorsement holders seeking to travel to Hong Kong SAR and Macau SAR.
To view entire article, click here.
Ireland, May 16, 2024
Automatic Work Rights Granted to Eligible Partners of Irish Employment Permit Holders
- As of May 15, 2024, eligible partners of various Irish employment permit holders (including General Employment Permits, Critical Skills Employment Permits and Intra-Company Transfer Employment Permits) can now work without the need to obtain a separate employment permit.
- This reform applies to spouses or partners with a valid Stamp 3 Irish Residence Permission granted under the non-European Economic Area Family Reunification Policy.
- These changes are likely to both increase the attractiveness of Ireland to foreign workers in the long term while also increasing the pool of currently available foreign talent.
To view entire article, click here.
United Kingdom, May 14, 2024
MAC Recommends For Graduate Visa Route to Remain
- The Migration Advisory Committee has published its rapid review of the Graduate visa route which it was commissioned to undertake by the UK government, concluding that the route should remain in place in its current form.
- The Committee noted that the Graduate visa route had ‘broadly achieved’ the government’s intended goals for the route, and found no evidence of any significant abuse of this visa route.
- Employers are likely to welcome this MAC recommendation, with the Graduate visa route providing an additional pathway for businesses to access skilled talent.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Austria, May 14, 2024
Posted Worker Government Liaison Rules Relaxed
Bahrain, May 16, 2024
Changes Implemented to the End-of-Service Gratuity System for Foreign Employees
Mainland China, May 16, 2024
Several Visa Exemption Updates
Costa Rica, May 14, 2024
New Law Eliminates Certain Driver’s License Restrictions for Foreign Nationals
Czech Republic, May 10, 2024
Labor Market Testing Process to be Relaxed for Employee Card Applicants
Gulf Cooperation Council countries, May 15, 2024
Additional Details Released on Forthcoming “GCC Grand Tours” Unified Tourist Visa
Indonesia, May 15, 2024
Autogate Introduced for Visa Exempt Nationals
Malaysia, May 13, 2024
Technical Issues at the Airport Expatriate Services Division Satellite Centre to Delay Work Start Dates
Thailand, May 13, 2024
Tax Payment Rule Change Impacts Long-Stay Visa Extension Applicants
United States, May 15, 2024
May 2024 DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
