Important Updates
Important Updates
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
October 30, 2025 | ChinaChina: Physical Social Security Card to Continue to Be Issued
October 30, 2025 | ChinaMainland China: Work Permit and Social Security Cards Integrated Under New Enhanced System
October 30, 2025 | 🌐Minimum Salary Changes Announced
October 30, 2025 | PanamaPanama: Government Reporting Requirement Enforced; Strict Penalties May Apply
October 30, 2025 | United KingdomUnited Kingdom: Consultation Open Regarding Right to Work Scheme Extension to Gig Workers
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Weekly Immigration Update: November 24–December 1, 2022

December 1, 2022

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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.
  • Saudi Arabia: Effective immediately, Indian nationals applying for a Saudi entry visa for work are no longer required to submit a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) if they apply through the Saudi Consulate in Mumbai or New Delhi.
  • Hong Kong SAR: Effective November 29, the Immigration Department has extended online services for all visa applications.
  • Vietnam: Employers sponsoring foreign nationals working in Vietnam must file the second of the required semi-annual reports by January 5, 2023.
  • Philippines: Unless exempt, foreign nationals who hold a valid Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card), such as long-term work visa holders, are required to appear in person at the Bureau of Immigration’s off-site venue by March 1, 2023 to file their Annual Report.
  • Germany: In an effort to reduce ongoing processing delays, the authorities have been piloting an online filing platform for EU Blue Card and pre-approval applications in certain districts, and have introduced fast-track processing at select immigration centers.
  • Slovakia has extended temporary refugee status for certain Ukrainian nationals. See our consolidated alert for details.
  • Germany, Ireland, Norway, and the United Kingdom have revised their minimum salary requirements, as detailed in our consolidated alert.

These items and other news from Canada, Germany, Ireland, Mozambique, Netherlands, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Germany, November 30, 2022
Updates on Digitalization, Delays, and Policy Development

  • German authorities have been piloting an online filing platform for EU Blue Card and pre-approval applications in certain districts.
  • The government has also opened more central immigration offices, implementing fast-track processing in select immigration departments.
  • Despite these efforts, processing delays continue to worsen country-wide due to residual COVID-19 backlog, the war in Ukraine and staff shortages.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United Arab Emirates, November 30, 2022
New Long-Term National Strategy Program Announced

  • The UAE government launched a national program, “We the UAE 2031”, which is expected to have an impact on the country’s approach towards immigration, investment, and employment, among other policies.
  • The program aligns with wider government objectives, with key goals including increased localization efforts, developing the healthcare sector, development of policies that contribute to economic growth, increasing non-oil exports and tourism, among other objectives.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Hong Kong SAR, November 30, 2022
Immigration Department Extends Online Services to All Visa Applications

  • Effective November 29, 2022, electronic services for visa applications have been extended to all visa application types including visas/entry permits for visits, employment, investment, training, residence and study.
  • Applicants can now complete the entire visa application process online, including application submission and payment and collection of visa/entry permits.
  • Where preferred, physical filing methods are still in place, allowing applicants to submit all visa application types and pay the visa fee by mail or in person.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Philippines, November 30, 2022
Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card Registration Due March 1, 2023

  • Unless exempt, foreign nationals who hold a valid Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card (ACR I-Card), such as long-term work visa holders in the Philippines, are now required to appear in person at the Bureau of Immigration (BI)’s designated venues to file their Annual Report (AR).
  • Per informal advice from the BI, non-exempt foreign nationals may still authorize their Fragomen immigration professional to file the AR on their behalf, which would waive the foreign national’s personal appearance requirement. An additional filing fee applies for individuals who do not personally appear.
  • Fines will be imposed for the non-filing or late filing of the AR. Fragomen recommends that the AR registration be completed before March 1, 2023 to avoid other adverse immigration impacts such as delays to renewal applications.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Saudi Arabia, November 29, 2022
Police Clearance Certificate Waived for Select Indian Nationals Applying for Work Entry Visas

  • Effective immediately, Indian nationals applying for a Saudi work entry visa are no longer required to submit a Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) if they apply through the Saudi Consulate in Mumbai or New Delhi.
  • The waiver is expected to significantly decrease processing times for the work entry visa, as obtaining a PCC normally takes up to a few months.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Vietnam, November 28, 2022
Deadline for Second Semi-Annual Report on Foreign Nationals Forthcoming

  • Employers sponsoring foreign nationals working in Vietnam must file the second of the required semi-annual report by January 5, 2023.
  • Foreign nationals working in Vietnam from December 15, 2021 to December 14, 2022 must be included in the January 2023 report.
  • Failure to file the report may result in administrative fines for employers and possible delays in subsequent immigration applications.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Canada, November 28, 2022
Nova Scotia Launches New Francophone Immigration Action Plan

Canada, November 29, 2022
Longer Validity for Work and Residence Authorization Under the Provincial Nominee Program

Canada, December 1, 2022
Improvements to the British Columbia Provincial Nominee Program Implemented

Germany, November 30, 2022
Relaxed Short-Term Visa Appointment Policies for Indian Nationals

Ireland, November 28, 2022
Atypical Working Scheme to Close for Non-EEA Fishing Fleet Application

Ireland, November 28, 2022
Burgh Quay Dublin Delays

Mozambique, November 29, 2022
e-Visa Platform and Visa Waiver Implementation Delayed

Netherlands, November 30, 2022
Transit Schengen Visa Required for Certain Turkish Nationals Starting December 1, 2022

Oman, November 30, 2022
Relaxed Entry Conditions Implemented for GCC Residents

United Arab Emirates, November 29, 2022
Companies in the Mainland Private Sector Must Adjust Emiratization Rate by December 31, 2022

United Arab Emirates, November 30, 2022
Additional Information Published on Unemployment Insurance Scheme

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.

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