Weekly Immigration Update: November 18–23, 2022
November 23, 2022
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. We are tracking related updates on our COVID-19 website.
- Lithuania has revised minimum salary requirements for EU Blue Card holders. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Latvia has updated residence permit policies for Russian and Belarusian nationals. See our consolidated alert for details.
- Malaysia: The deadline for employers to submit 2022 Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) projections of the number of foreign nationals they wish to sponsor under PVPs is December 2, 2022. Further, beginning December 1, 2022, applicants filing Employment Pass and Dependents’ Employment Pass renewal applications with the Expatriate Services Division will be able to obtain an electronic pass (ePass).
- Switzerland: Switzerland and the United Kingdom have extended their Services Mobility Agreement and, as a result, Switzerland will continue to apply the agreement’s notification procedure to UK-based service providers seeking to provide a service in Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year. Additionally, work permit quotas for 2023 remain unchanged from the 2022 allocations.
These items and other news from Brazil, Ethiopia, Portugal, and Sweden follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
Switzerland, November 23, 2022
Work Permit Quotas for 2023 Unchanged
- Swiss authorities have published the work permit quota numbers for foreign workers for 2023, with identical quota allocations as for 2022.
- As before, quotas do not apply to applications for L permits for stays under four months, status changes and renewals.
- As opposed to 2022, in 2023, quotas will be re-introduced for Croatian nationals.
To view entire article, click here.
Malaysia, November 23, 2022
Deadline to Submit 2022 Employment Pass and Professional Visit Pass Projections
- Companies in Malaysia registered with the Expatriate Services Division that plan to submit Professional Visit Pass (PVP) and Employment Pass applications in 2022 are required to submit projections for the number of foreign nationals they wish to sponsor under PVPs by December 2, 2022.
- Affected employers who do not have approved projections for 2022 cannot submit initial or renewal work pass applications until they obtain the required approval.
- Foreign nationals already in Malaysia may need to leave if their new work passes cannot be obtained prior to the expiration of the current one.
To view entire article, click here.
Malaysia, November 23, 2022
Electronic Renewal Process to be Introduced for Expatriate Services Division
- Starting December 1, 2022, applicants filing Employment Pass and Dependents’ Employment Pass renewal applications with the Expatriate Services Division will be able to obtain an electronic pass (ePass).
- The ePass will replace the endorsement sticker that is currently affixed to the applicant’s passport.
- As a result of this change, eligible applicants will benefit from the ability to download their ePass on the ESD portal within one business day of the submission of their application (instead of the one week it takes to obtain the endorsement sticker by mail); not having to be in Malaysia when renewing their applications; and not having to submit their passport when they renew their passes.
To view entire article, click here.
Switzerland, November 22, 2022
Continuation of Services Mobility Agreement with the United Kingdom
- Switzerland and the United Kingdom have extended their Services Mobility Agreement until December 31, 2025.
- Under the agreement, Switzerland will continue to apply the notification procedure to UK-based service providers seeking to provide a service in Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Brazil, November 22, 2022
Passport Issuance Temporarily Suspended
Ethiopia, November 21, 2022
New Visa for Investors
Portugal, November 23, 2022
New Work Permit Program that Recruits Moroccans for Work
Sweden, November 22, 2022
Two Trips Now Required for New Delhi Residence Permit Process
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
