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Effective September 1, 2023, the government of Singapore will require companies sponsoring foreign nationals for new Employment Passes (EPs) to verify the individual’s academic credentials. This policy will also apply to renewal applications as of September 1, 2024. Previously, verification of academic credentials was only required at government request and for select countries and institutions. Singapore’s announcement is intended to prevent fraudulent submissions and ensure the authenticity of visa applicants’ qualifications.…

Continue Reading Singapore Adopts Education Verification Requirement

Effective March 1, 2023, the Japanese government has lifted some COVID-related travel restrictions for passengers arriving from mainland China. Previously, all passengers traveling from mainland China were subject to on-arrival COVID testing. Under the new regulations, only around 20% of passengers arriving on direct flights from mainland China will be subject to on-arrival testing, with the goal of collecting samples for genome sequencing. All travelers from mainland China are still required to show proof of a negative COVID test taken within 72 hours prior to departure. Japan’s announcement comes as other countries, such as South Korea, have begun rolling back travel requirements that were imposed on passengers from China following the end of that country’s “Zero COVID” policy.…

Continue Reading Japan Eases COVID Requirements for Travelers from China

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On February 16, 2023, the Irish government announced the extension of a Temporary Protection program for individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine. As the initial Temporary Protection program was valid for only twelve months, the first set of permissions was set to expire on March 9, 2023. Under the terms of the announcement, the Temporary Protection program will be extended for an additional twelve months, to March 2024. Ireland’s move comes as the European Commission – the executive arm of the European Union – has extended its own Temporary Protection Directive through at least March 4, 2024.  …

Continue Reading Ireland Extends Temporary Protections for Ukrainian Nationals

Following the end of the “Zero COVID” policy and a wave of new infections in the People’s Republic of China (PRC), several countries have implemented new COVID-related restrictions on travelers from the PRC mainland, Hong Kong, and Macau. Thus far, these restrictions mainly consist of pre-departure testing requirements, but they represent a departure from the previous global trend, which saw most countries relax or eliminate all COVID-related entry requirements.

*This post was updated with additional information on January 9 and 10, 2023.…

Continue Reading More Countries Institute COVID Requirements for Travelers from China

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As 2022 draws to a close, the New Zealand government has announced a variety of immigration updates that affect foreign nationals’ work authorization and employers’ accreditation status. These updates include a new online application process for the Skilled Migrant Category (SMC), simplifications in the variation process for holders of Accredited Employer Work Visas (AEWVs) and Essential Skills Work Visas (ESWVs), automatic extensions for certain employer accreditations, and streamlined processes to enable Critical Purpose Visitor Visa holders to obtain Specific Purpose visas while staying in their current role.…

Continue Reading New Zealand Implements Notable Immigration Updates

Effective December 7, 2022, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has acceded to the Convention Abolishing the Requirements of Legalization for Foreign Public Documents, popularly known as the “Apostille Convention.” The move is part of the Saudi government’s ongoing efforts to promote the flexibility of the private sector and make it easier for foreign companies to do business in the country. Specifically, in accordance with Royal Decree M/40 dated 26/05/1443H (corresponding to 30/12/2021G), the country’s prior legalization requirements for foreign-issued public documents have been eliminated. With this decree, Saudi Arabia becomes the 122nd member of the Apostille Convention, joining other Middle East and North African countries including Bahrain, Oman, Morocco, and Tunisia.…

Continue Reading Saudi Arabia Joins Apostille Convention

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The Australian government is in the early stages of examining major changes to the country’s immigration system. According to statements by Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil, the government has engaged a team of experts to conduct a comprehensive review designed to ensure the country’s immigration system “serves Australia’s national interests and complements the skills and capabilities of Australian workers.” While details on the scope of the report are still forthcoming, it is expected to focus on strategies for ensuring skilled labor for businesses, enhancing worker productivity, and navigating issues associated with an aging workforce. The experts’ report is expected to be delivered to the government by the end of February 2023.  …

Continue Reading Australia Considers Major Immigration Updates

The Indonesian government has announced a mandatory annual reporting deadline for employers of foreign workers. According to the announcement, employers must provide Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower with an annual manpower report no later than January 10, 2023. Submission of the annual report has been required since 2018, but the precise due date is announced each year. Failure to submit the report by the stated deadline may result in fines or other sanctions against the employer.…

Continue Reading Indonesia Announces Mandatory Reporting Deadline for Foreign Nationals

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Updated December 22, 2022: Effective December 20, 2022, the Indian government has resumed issuing e-Visas to Canadian nationals. Canadian nationals who wish to travel to India for tourism, business, medical, or conference reasons may once again apply for e-Visas online. The move follows the Indian government’s resumption of e-Visa services for UK nationals earlier this month, as explained in our original update below. …

Continue Reading India Resumes Issuing e-Visas for UK & Canadian Nationals

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On December 2, 2022, the Canadian government announced a two-year expansion of work authorization to spouses and working-age children of temporary foreign workers at all skill levels. According to the announcement, the short-term measure is designed to address gaps in Canada’s labor market amid the country’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. Prior to the announcement, the only family members eligible for work authorization were spouses of temporary workers in high-skill occupations. The government’s move is expected to extend work authorization to as many as 200,000 noncitizens beginning in January 2023.…

Continue Reading Canada Extends Work Authorization to Families of Temporary Foreign Workers