Weekly Immigration Update: October 29–November 4, 2021
November 4, 2021
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: Effective November 8, the Department of Homeland Security will allow foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine and have acceptable proof of vaccination to enter the United States from Canada or Mexico by land or ferry for “non-essential” activities such as tourism and personal visits. Children under 18 are exempt from the new vaccine requirement. Fiscal year 2023 Diversity Visa entrants have until November 9, 2021 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.
- United Kingdom: The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer’s newly-released 2021 Budget and Spending Review Report includes proposals on creating a scale-up visa subcategory and reforming the Global Talent visa category, among others.
- Australia: The new and extended visa options made available to Hong Kong SAR skilled workers and students last July 2020 will be extended to British National Overseas (BNO) passports holders starting March 5, 2022.
- New Zealand: The previously-postponed launch of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) process will proceed on July 4, 2022. Employers can file applications for Employer Accreditation under the new rules as early as May 9, 2022, to support AEWV applications starting July 4, 2022.
- European Union: In France, the deadline for UK nationals to hold Withdrawal Agreement residency cards was extended to January 1, 2022 from September 30, 2021. In Sweden, the deadline for UK nationals to file applications has been extended to December 31, 2021 from September 30, 2021. See this consolidated page for more information.
- Croatia: The government published the new national minimum wage, effective January 1, 2022. Details are available on this consolidated page.
These items and other news from Australia, Bahrain, the Dominican Republic, Jordan, Poland, and Qatar follow in this edition of the Fragomen Immigration Update.
Important updates in immigration this week
Australia, November 4, 2021
Benefits for Hong Kong SAR Skilled Workers and Students Extended to British National Overseas Passport Holders
The Australian government announced that the new and extended visa options available to Hong Kong SAR skilled workers and students will be extended to British National Overseas (BNO) passport holders starting March 5, 2022. Key changes include:
- Certain BNO applicants will be able to apply for permanent residence under the new ‘Hong Kong’ eligibility stream and;
- Certain BNO students will be eligible for automatic extensions of their Graduate Visas and for pathways to permanent residence.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, November 2, 2021
Reminder: FY 2023 Diversity Visa Lottery Registration Ends November 9
- Entrants have until Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at noon EST to register online at the State Department’s official lottery website.
- Lottery applications must conform to the State Department’s strict requirements.
To view entire article, click here.
New Zealand, November 1, 2021
New Accredited Employer Work Visa Launch Announced
- The New Zealand government has announced that the previously-postponed launch of the new Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) process will proceed on July 4, 2022.
- Employers can file applications for Employer Accreditation under the new rules as early as May 9, 2022 to support AEWV applications starting July 4, 2022.
- The government will stop accepting applications for certain categories of work visas that will be replaced by the AEWV starting November 1, 2021.
- Certain affected visa holders will benefit from new rules that allow them to change employers and maintain their pathway to residence in New Zealand.
To view entire article, click here.
United States, October 29, 2021
Starting November 8, Nonessential Travel Permitted for Fully Vaccinated Foreign Nationals Across Canada/Mexico Land Borders
- Starting November 8, 2021, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will allow foreign nationals who are fully vaccinated with an approved COVID-19 vaccine and have acceptable proof of vaccination to enter the United States from Canada or Mexico by land or ferry for “non-essential” activities such as tourism and personal visits. Children under 18 are exempt from the new vaccine requirement.
- The existing COVID ban on non-essential travel by land and ferry will remain in place for unvaccinated foreign nationals until at least January 21, 2022.
- Foreign nationals entering through a land border or ferry terminal for essential purposes – which include work and business travel – will not be subject to vaccination requirements until sometime in January 2022.
To view entire article, click here.
United Kingdom, October 29, 2021
Budget and Spending Review Report for 2021 Released; Focus on Scale Ups and Creating Dynamic and Open Economy
The UK Chancellor of the Exchequer has provided further information on several proposals for the United Kingdom’s immigration regime in the 2021 Budget and Spending Review Report, which include:
- The creation of a scale-up visa subcategory;
- Reformation of the Global Talent visa category; and
- Maintaining the expanded Department for International Trade Global Entrepreneur Programme.
The proposals are aimed at bringing highly-skilled individuals to the United Kingdom in growing key science and technology sectors.
To view entire article, click here.
Poland, October 29, 2021
Expedited Entry Paths and Shorter Processing Times Among Forthcoming Improvements
The Polish government has published draft changes to national legislation regarding stay and work permits for foreign nationals. Key changes include:
- New priority entry paths for visa applicants from specific countries and other specific groups;
- The elimination of some temporary residence and work permit process requirements; and
- New deadlines for the adjudication of specific types of residence permits.
These changes are expected to be implemented before 2022, and are meant to streamline the immigration application process to help revive the Polish economy.
To view entire article, click here.
Other weekly news briefs
Australia: Processing Delays for Temporary Skill Shortage Visa Applications – The Australian government is prioritizing visa applications of foreign nationals currently in Australia ahead of applicants who are outside of Australia, with the highest priority given to Hong Kong SAR or Hong Kong British National (Overseas) passport holders. Within these processing directions, the second priority group includes employers who are party to a Global Talent Scheme agreement or who hold Accredited Status, and to sponsors in regional Australia. As a result of these arrangements, processing for offshore Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa applicants remains lengthy, with applications taking between 3-10 months and up to 12 months for ‘Short term’ stream TSS visa applications.
Bahrain: New Residency Program and Labour Market Reform Plan Announced – The Government of Bahrain announced a new residency permit program to attract investment and talent in Bahrain. Details of the program, including the applicant criteria and implementation date, are expected to be published in the coming months. Additionally, the government will introduce a new Labour Market Reform Plan which will include a review of government labor fees and the development of a new Tamkeen Strategy for the upskilling of Bahraini workforce in the private sector. The announcements come as part of the new national economic growth and fiscal balance plan which aligns with Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030.
Dominican Republic: Yellow Fever Vaccination Required for Travelers Arriving From Venezuela – Effective immediately, all travelers over the age of one (including nationals and residents) arriving from Venezuela or who have been in Venezuela within 14 days prior to arrival in the Dominican Republic must present a yellow fever vaccination certificate to enter the country. Those who have not received a vaccination against yellow fever may not be allowed to board their flight to the Dominican Republic or may be refused entry to the Dominican Republic. The government is implementing this measure in response to recent outbreaks of yellow fever in Venezuela, and the high volume of passengers from Venezuela transiting through the Dominican Republic on their way to Europe or the United States.
Jordan: Entry Procedures to Relax for Nationals of Select Countries – The Ministry of Interior (MOI) announced that they will relax entry requirements for nationals of select countries who currently require special approval for entry into Jordan. Specifically, nationals of Albania and Moldova will be exempt from the MOI’s pre-approval requirement and eligible for visas-on-arrival; they will also be able to obtain visas through a Jordanian consular post abroad. Nationals of Colombia, Nigeria, Pakistan and the Philippines will be exempt from the pre-approval requirement if they are traveling with a tourist group of five or more people. The travel agent must act as a guarantor to ensure that the travelers depart from Jordan within the prescribed deadline. Lastly, nationals of Syria will be allowed to enter Jordan if they travel with a tourist group and obtain approval from the MOI. The travel agent must similarly act as a guarantor. Currently, entry of Syrian nationals is restricted. It is not yet clear when the regulations will take effect.
Qatar: Visa Waiver Agreement Signed – The government of Qatar will soon allow visa-free entry for Peruvian nationals. When the visa waiver agreement is in effect, Peruvian nationals will be able to enter Qatar without a visa for stays of up to 90 days for tourism. Peruvian nationals traveling to Qatar for other purposes, including business, study or work, will need to obtain a relevant visa in advance. It is not yet clear when the agreement will take effect. The full visa waiver agreement is bilateral, but the reciprocal terms for Qataris entering Peru have not yet been published in Peru; therefore, the terms are not yet clear for Qatari nationals entering Peru. We will issue an update when more information becomes available.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.
