Weekly Immigration Update: October 22–28, 2021

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.