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Weekly Immigration Update: October 22–28, 2021

October 28, 2021

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In immigration news this week:

  • Worldwide: Jurisdictions around the world continue to adapt their coronavirus-related travel restrictions and health requirements based on several factors, including fluctuating infection rates and growing vaccination initiatives. Visit Fragomen’s COVID-19 website for the latest immigration updates.
  • United States: A presidential proclamation rescinds the existing regional COVID-19 travel bans effective November 8, 2021 at 12:01am EST. The proclamation instead imposes a COVID-19 vaccination requirement on nonimmigrants traveling by air from any country to the United States, as well as stricter testing protocols for all unvaccinated air travelers, with some exceptions.
  • Oman: The government has issued additional details regarding long-term visa options available to foreign nationals seeking residency through investment, following the launch of the Investment Residency Program in September. The Program offers five- and 10-year renewable residence permits to foreign nationals holding a certificate evidencing their investment in Oman.
  • Saudi Arabia: New Saudization and other employment requirements are forthcoming for select professions in the marketing, healthcare, medical appliances, dentistry, and pharmaceutical sectors.
  • Ireland: The Irish government has removed several occupations from the ineligible occupations list for Employment Permits and has added more quota spots for in-demand occupations.
  • In Belgium, Brussels, Flanders and Wallonia published the new salary levels for work starting January 1, 2022. Details are available on this consolidated page.

These items and other news from the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, Israel, Oman, Qatar, Tanzania, and the United Arab Emirates follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.

Important updates in immigration this week

Ireland, October 28, 2021
Employment Permit Ineligible Occupations List Amended

  • The Irish government has removed several occupations from the ineligible occupations list for Employment Permits and has added more quota spots for in-demand occupations.
  • Most notably, many construction sector jobs are now eligible for a General Employment Permit; hospitality managers were removed from the ineligible occupations list, and social workers are now eligible for Critical Skills Employment Permit, among other key changes.
  • These changes open the door for companies to hire more workers from outside the European Economic Area to counteract the skills and supply shortage issues in the country following COVID-19 economic impacts.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Oman, October 27, 2021
Additional Details Announced for Long-Term Residence Permit for Investors

  • As expected, the government of Oman has issued additional rules regarding entry, dependents and government fees for the Investment Residency Program, launched in September.
  • The program offers a path for foreign investors and their families (and in some cases investment partners) to obtain a self-sponsored residence permit in Oman that is not tied to their employment.

To view entire article, click here.

 

Saudi Arabia, October 27, 2021
New Saudization Requirements Forthcoming in Certain Sectors

  • The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development has issued several decisions relating to Saudization and other employment requirements for select professions in marketing, healthcare, medical appliances, dentistry, and pharmaceutical sectors.
  • The Ministry has also restricted the employment of foreign nationals in secretarial, translation, storekeeping, and data entry jobs.
  • These new regulations will become effective in April and May of 2022.
  • Non-compliant employers will be subject to penalties, including the suspension of immigration and employment services such as the issuance of new work permits and employment transfer.

To view entire article, click here.

 

United States, October 25, 2021
Effective November 8, Regional Travel Bans Rescinded, Replaced with COVID Vaccination Requirement for Nonimmigrant International Air Travel

  • A presidential proclamation issued today and effective November 8, 2021, rescinds the current regional COVID-19 travel bans and imposes a COVID-19 vaccination requirement on nonimmigrants traveling by air from any country to the United States.
  • Exceptions to the vaccine requirement will apply to children under 18 and to most nationals of countries with less than a 10 percent total vaccination rate, among others.
  • Existing COVID test requirements will remain the same for all fully vaccinated air travelers. The new policy requires that all unvaccinated travelers – including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and nonimmigrants eligible for exceptions to the vaccine requirement -- will be subject to stricter pre-travel COVID testing protocols.
  • These policy changes are expected to ease travel for many foreign nationals, but processing backlogs at U.S. consulates – already lengthy – are expected to increase further, which will impede travel for those who need a U.S. visa.

To view entire article, click here.

Other weekly news briefs

Cayman Islands: COVID-19 Vaccination Required for New and Renewal Work and Residence Permits – According to the government’s website, foreign nationals and their eligible dependents must now be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination when applying for or renewing certain categories of residence and employment permits filed after October 15, 2021. These include work permits, digital nomad visas (under the Global Concierge Program), permanent residence, certificates of direct investment, student visas, entry permits, and amendments to work permits (such as adding dependents), among other categories. Foreign nationals may apply for exemptions based on medical grounds, with prior approval from the Health Services Authority. Affected applicants who submitted their application before October 15 but received approval after October 15, or those who are outside the Cayman Islands and unable to access a COVID-19 vaccination, will have a 40-day grace period to submit proof of vaccination. The current approved vaccines are AstraZeneca, Janssen (Johnson and Johnson), Moderna and Pfizer. Access the government’s website and the Workforce Opportunities and Residency’s website for more information, or contact your immigration professional for case-specific advice.

Dominican Republic: Update on Visa Waiver Agreement with Brazil – The bilateral visa waiver agreement signed between Brazil and the Dominican Republic has been officially implemented in the Dominican Republic, confirming visa-free entry for nationals of Brazil traveling to the Dominican Republic for transit, tourism or business for up to 60 days. Extensions are available for an additional 60 days, for a maximum of 120 days within a 12-month period (counted from the first day of entry). As a reminder, nationals of the Dominican Republic have been able to enter Brazil without a visa for transit, tourism or business under the same conditions since September 2021.  

Israel/United Arab Emirates: Visa Waiver Agreement Implemented – A bilateral agreement signed by the governments of the United Arab Emirates and Israel to facilitate movement between the two countries has taken effect. Israeli nationals can now travel to the United Arab Emirates without a visa for business or tourism for 90 days within a 180-day period with multiple entries permitted. Israeli nationals who plan to study, work or volunteer in the United Arab Emirates, or who are traveling for religious reasons, will still need a visa. Reciprocally, Emirati nationals can travel to Israel for business or tourism for up to 90 days. However, travelers should confirm any COVID-19 travel restrictions before planning their trips.

Oman: Amended Regulations Implemented for Issuance of Residence Card – An amended regulation extends the maximum validity of Residence Cards to three years (up from two years); assigns a government fee of OMR 5 for the issuance of a new card and its renewal per each year of validity; creates a new rule that Residence Cards for foreign nationals age 10 and older be issued within 30 days from the date of entry into Oman, or from the date the person has reached the age of 10, whichever is applicable; and finally, requires that the Residence Card is renewed within 30 days of its expiration (previously the deadline was 60 days). Businesses and foreign nationals in Oman should monitor the deadlines applicable to the issuance of Residence Cards for persons under their sponsorship in order to avoid fines.

Qatar: Mandatory Health Insurance for Foreign Nationals Forthcoming – The Ministry of Public Health announced that health insurance will soon be mandatory for all foreign nationals in Qatar, including visitors, residents and those seeking employment. It is expected that employers will be required to provide basic health insurance coverage for all foreign nationals they employ through an approved insurance company. The law is expected to take effect six months after its publication in the Official Gazette, which is expected in the coming weeks.

Tanzania: Duration Extended for Foreign Nationals’ Work Permits – Effective immediately, immigration authorities have extended the allowable duration of work permits for foreign nationals to eight years, from five years. Foreign nationals whose five-year employment permits are nearing expiration and those who applied for employment permits under the previous rule should apply for an extension in line with the new duration on the Labour Commissioner’s online portal.

United Arab Emirates: Abu Dhabi Virtual License Introduced for Foreign Investors – The Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) launched a virtual license program that allows foreign investors to conduct business activities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi without having to physically reside in the United Arab Emirates. Investors can obtain the virtual license in one of 13 fields approved by the ADDED, including health, retail, entertainment and transportation. Investors are allowed to have 100percent foreign ownership through a sole proprietorship or a limited liability company, and can apply for the license directly through the ADDED website. The license fee is approximately AED 1,000 (USD 272). Businesses operating with the virtual license are not allowed to sponsor visas in the United Arab Emirates.

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

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