Weekly Immigration Update: September 3–9, 2021

Mauritius: Occupation Permit-Related Improvements Published – The Ministry of Finance has published measures originally proposed in June 2021 that extend the maximum duration of the Occupation Permit from three to 10 years; allow change of status and change of occupation without submitting new Occupation Permit applications (by informing the Economic Development Board); allow Occupation Permit holder’s spouses to apply for their own Occupation Permit; allow the issuance of Occupation Permits to young professionals for a period not exceeding three years; and extend the validity period of permanent residence permits to 20 years. Notably, the measures also implement the Family Occupation Permit, a new 10-year work permit that requires a minimum contribution of USD 250,000 or its equivalent in foreign currency to the COVID-19 Projects Development Fund. Lastly, a new interim permit measure is available that will be issued to Occupation Permit applicants if the authorities are unable to issue an Occupation Permit in 15 business days, and the fine for employers who hire foreign nationals without valid permits has increased to MUR 500,000 from MUR 100,000, with the possibility of imprisonment for at most five years.

Mauritius: New Premium Investor Scheme – The Minister of Finance has announced a new immigration category called the Premium Investor Scheme, aimed at attracting foreign investment in sectors that will contribute toward the modernization of the economy and job creation in Mauritius. Projects eligible for the scheme must have a minimum investment amount of MUR 500 million for those involved in the manufacture of pharmaceutical or medical devices. An investment of MUR 500,000 million is required for emerging sectors, innovative technologies and industries and other targeted economic activities that may be approved by the Minister of Finance, Economic Planning and Development. Other terms of the Scheme, including the allowed period of stay and cost, are not yet known. Investors participating in the Premium Investor Scheme may benefit from exemptions and preferential rates on taxes and government fees and from grants and exemptions on land and buildings, infrastructure and public facilities, and utilities and other potential government concessions. The Scheme is unprecedented in Sub-Saharan Africa due to its focus on emerging industries.

South Africa: E-Visa for Select Nationals Implemented – The Department of Home Affairs has announced the implementation of an eVisa for business travelers and tourists who are nationals of Kenya and Cameroon who will land at O.R. Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg. Only short-term visas for stays less than 90 days will be issued during the initial implementation phase, but the government plans to add more visa types at a later stage. Once an eVisa application has been approved, applicants will be issued an approval letter bearing a QR code for authentication by airlines and other service providers during the boarding process. The inclusion of Cameroon in the implementation of the eVisa follows the pilot process that was implemented for nationals of Kenya. The other countries expected to be added to the implementation phase are the Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Mexico, Uganda, Saudi Arabia, Iran, the Philippines and Pakistan.

United States: Latest DOL PERM and PWD Processing Times – As of August 31, 2021, the Department of Labor (DOL) was conducting analyst review for PERM applications filed in April  2021 or earlier, and processing audited cases filed in October 2020 or earlier. DOL is working on standard reconsideration requests submitted in April 2021 or earlier. DOL is issuing prevailing wage determinations (PWDs) for PERM requests filed in February 2021 and H-1B requests filed in March 2021. The agency has been processing PERM redeterminations requested in July 2021 and H-1B redeterminations requested in August 2021. PERM center director reviews requested in July 2021 remain pending. These reports are available on the DOL FLAG page.