Effective August 16, 2024, the documentation requirements for applying for a Professional Visit Pass in Malaysia have been significantly reduced. The revised list of required documents now includes only passport, application letter, personal bond, security bond, letter of award/contract, and other supporting documents that demonstrate the planned activities in Malaysia.

Although the number of documents has been reduced, authorities may place increased emphasis on the content of the application letter, which should comprehensively detail the assignment’s purpose, work schedule, and duration. Please note that the authorities may request additional documents at any stage of the application process.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments. 

The post MALAYSIA – Documentation requirements for professional visit pass applications are reduced. appeared first on Newland Chase.

In July 2024, the authorities in Slovakia announced changes to several immigration acts including Act 404/2011 on Residence of Foreigners and Act 5/2004 on Employment Services. These changes have been implemented from July 15, 2024, and will affect any non-EU/EEA or non-Swiss national.

Updates to Labour Office approval process.

The Foreign Police in Slovakia will now only be processing pre-approved applications. Employers will now apply for Labour Office approval electronically—this step was previously completed by the Foreign Police. If the application is approved, the Labour Office will now send the decision to the employer, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy, and the Foreign Police. The applicant then has 90 days to apply for a residence permit with the Foreign Police.

Updates to EU Blue Card.

The EU Blue Card in Slovakia has been updated and is now granted for five years. Additionally, the salary requirement calculation has been changed, and is now calculated by multiplying the national minimum wage for the calendar year preceding the application submission by 1.2. Previously, the multiplier was 1.5 times the national minimum wage. A bachelor’s degree can also now be accepted as proof of educational qualifications instead of a master’s degree. It is also now required to provide a certificate of registration or taxation of income proving the duration of the employment relationship.

Updates to long-term permit.

The long-term permit (also referred to as permanent residence permit) now requires foreign nationals to prove their knowledge of the language and will be required to have minimum A2 level. The Foreign Police will also review in detail where the employee has resided in the previous five years and ensure they do not remain outside the state for long periods of time.

Additional changes to Slovakia’s immigration system.

Additional changes to Slovakia’s immigration system include the following:

• Exemptions have now been defined for vacant position notifications, and the Labour Office have now confirmed when notification is required.  
• There has been an update to the single permit process. Previously it was necessary for the employee to wait for approval of the application before beginning work. Now, employment can begin before the permit has been granted and finalised. 
• Employers are now obliged to keep the residence card, confirmation of submission of Blue Card, ICT permit, or single permit on file for the duration of the foreign national’s employment. They are also now required to notify the Labour Office of any changes in data on filling a vacancy, employee data, residence permit or changes to job positions. 
• Foreign nationals’ bank account statements covering the preceding three months before application are now required.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case or company-specific assessments. 

The post SLOVAKIA – July 2024 changes to immigration rules take effect. appeared first on Newland Chase.

With the opening of the new Tasheer Saudi Visa Centre in Central London, applicants seeking entry into the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for long-term and short-term work purposes are now required to submit biometric data as a part of the visa submission process.

This new requirement is in addition to the current visa document submission procedures in place. For temporary work visa applicants, appearance is required after submitting the online application. The change went into effect on July 5, 2024, and visa applicants are encouraged to plan accordingly.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here if you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments. 

The post SAUDI ARABIA – Personal appearance required for work visas filed in the UK.  appeared first on Newland Chase.

The Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) in the UAE has announced a significant change in the enforcement of residency visa regulations. A new two-month grace period has been introduced for residence visa violators. During this amnesty period, violators can either regularize their status or leave the country without facing any penalties. The change will take effect from September 1, 2024.

Under the previous law, individuals violating residency visa conditions were subject to penalties and legal procedures. These penalties often included fines and other administrative actions.

This update has been officially announced by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) and reported through media outlets including Khaleej Times News and Gulf News.

Impact on employers.

Companies with employees currently in violation of UAE residency laws can take advantage of this amnesty period to regularize the status of these employees. By resolving these issues during the grace period, companies can avoid financial penalties and administrative burdens.

Newland Chase insight.

Newland Chase is ready to support clients in navigating the grace period for residence visa violations. Our services include:

• Advising on the steps required to regularize the status of employees.
• Assisting with any new residency visa applications that may be necessary.
• Providing detailed guidance to ensure compliance with the updated regulations.

Clients are encouraged to:

• Review the status of their employees’ residency visas.
• Utilize the grace period to address any violations without incurring additional costs.
• Contact Newland Chase for support and guidance on regularizing residency statuses and for any other related immigration services.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments. 

The post UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – Grace period for residence visa violators. appeared first on Newland Chase.

As of July 29, 2024, the ESD Satellite Centre (ESC) facility at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 2 (KLIA 2) is accepting pass endorsement procedures. Previously, this service was only available at KLIA 1. With this new update, foreign national employees and their dependents traveling from overseas can complete the pass endorsement process upon arrival at KLIA 2.

In an earlier update, we reported that the pass endorsement service at KLIA 1 was temporarily unavailable. The service has since resumed and is now available at both Terminals 1 and 2.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments. 

The post MALAYSIA – Pass endorsement services now available at KLIA Terminal 2.  appeared first on Newland Chase.

The current social and political climate in Venezuela is having a significant impact on both citizens and immigrants interacting with immigration authorities. In this article we provide an update on the situation and its implications for those dealing with immigration processes.

Venezuela’s political environment is unstable.

The country is experiencing substantial instability following elections on July 28, 2024, in which Nicolás Maduro was declared re-elected as President. This outcome has sparked widespread protests across Venezuela. A significant portion of the electorate disputes the results, leading to ongoing demonstrations.

Several countries, including Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Peru, Panama, the Dominican Republic, and Uruguay, have officially rejected the election results, resulting in the suspension of diplomatic relations with Venezuela. Consequently, Venezuelan embassies in these countries have ceased operations. This has a direct impact on services such as passport issuance, visas, legalizations, and travel documents, leaving many Venezuelan nationals abroad without access to essential consular services.

Local immigration authority disruptions.

In Venezuela, local immigration authorities like SAIME (Servicio Administrativo de Identificación, Migración y Extranjería), MOFA (Ministry of Foreign Affairs), and SAREN (Servicio Autónomo de Registros y Notarías) are not officially suspended but are mostly closed to the public. This closure severely hampers services related to immigration processes. Despite these closures, the platform for obtaining police records remains operational. However, national and international courier services are experiencing significant delays, further complicating the situation for those needing to send or receive important documents.

Impact on immigrants and citizens.

For citizens and immigrants, the current situation poses several challenges:

Access to services: With embassies and local authorities either closed or operating at minimal capacity, obtaining necessary documentation such as passports and visas is extremely difficult.

Delays and uncertainty: The delays in courier services add another layer of uncertainty, making it challenging for individuals to meet immigration requirements or deadlines.

Consular support: Venezuelan nationals abroad face the challenge of limited consular support, affecting their ability to renew documents or seek assistance for immigration-related issues.

Support and assistance is available.

Our representatives in Venezuela are doing their best to operate under the current circumstances. If you or your employees are affected by these disruptions, we are here to provide guidance and support through our network partners in Caracas and our global offices.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Case for any case- or company-specific assessments.  

The post VENEZUELA – Impact of the current political situation on immigration processes. appeared first on Newland Chase.

Effective immediately, the submission process for long-term visa and temporary residence card applications with the Dong Nai Immigration Authority have been updated. This new procedure aligns with the online process implemented in Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City and is as follows:

Online submission process.

Applications must now be submitted online via the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) Immigration portal using a Token (e-signature) and MPS account.

Physical submission process.

Following the online submission, companies are required to submit the physical application dossier to the Immigration Department. A representative from the Vietnam sponsoring company must be present to submit the application. Additional documentation such as staff cards and VssID apps may be requested.

Government fee payment.

After submitting both online and physical applications, a notification via email with instructions for paying the government fee online will be sent out by the authorities. Processing times of approximately 8-10 working days should be expected once the fee payment is confirmed. Potential delays or re-submission requests should be expected due to system issues, especially during the initial transition phase.

Result collection.

Notifications of the result will be sent to the registered email. The Visa/Temporary Residence Card can then be collected by the company representative at the immigration office.

New residence registration requirement.

A certified residence registration certificate from local police will now be required instead of the online residence registration.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.

The post VIETNAM – Online process for long-term visa and TRC applications. appeared first on Newland Chase.

The Czech Republic amended the Employment Act in December 2023, introducing several changes affecting foreign workers. In order to attract new talent and develop a competitive workforce, two key changes have been implemented. 1) The rules on the labour market test have been relaxed, and 2) for a selected list of countries, free access to the labour market has been granted.

Relaxed labour market test rules.

The labour market test is the requirement to prove that is not possible to find a resident worker (Czech national or EU/EEA/Swiss national) to fulfil a position, before offering it to a third-country national. It is conducted by posting the vacant position on the Labour Office online platform for a duration of 10 to 30 days before proceeding to the next stage of the application. The labour market test is generally required for Employee Card and EU Blue Card applications.

Since July 1, 2024, the relaxed labour market test rules mean that:

• Employers will still be required to ensure that a job vacancy has been posted on the government online platform.
• Employers will no longer be required to advertise the opening for 10 to 30 days before beginning the hiring process of a third-country national worker.
• The third-country national can submit the Employee Card application as soon as the vacancy number is issued (within 1-3 days of the posting).

Please note that the Labour Office will now have the right to remove a position from the vacancy register after six months of posting. Employers who have posted vacancies in advance as a precautionary measure should adjust their practice.

Free access to the labour market for selected countries.

As part of a pilot scheme, nationals of selected countries have been introduced as a new category of beneficiary of the work permit exemption. The list of work permit-exempt countries includes Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the UK, and the USA.

It is possible that the list of work permit-exempt countries could be expanded, following a successful pilot of the scheme.

Effective July 1, 2024, the work permit exemption applies as follows:

• No work permit (and no vacant position posting) is required for nationals in work permit-exempt countries when working in the Czech Republic more than 90 days.

• Long term visa/residence permit requirements still apply.

• Local registration requirements still apply.

• Working whilst a visitor in the Czech Republic is still not permitted, unless an alternative exemption applies. If a national from a work permit-exempt country is required to work in the Czech Republic for fewer than 90 days (subject to the Schengen allowance), they will be required to obtain a work visa (referred to as a Schengen C visa for work purposes) before travelling to the Czech Republic.

• EU Blue Card and ICT categories are excluded from this exemption.

Newland Chase insight.

With these changes to the labour market test and the granting of free access to the Czech Republic labour market to nationals from certain work permit-exempt countries, employers should now benefit from a faster hiring process. However, employers are reminded to note that these changes do not grant permission for third-country nationals to work in the Czech Republic whilst as a visitor, unless another work permit exemption applies.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Case for any case- or company-specific assessments.  

The post CZECH REPUBLIC – Facilitated access to the labour market for foreign workers.  appeared first on Newland Chase.

On July 1, 2024, a number of significant updates took place within the Australian migration framework. This article highlights some of these changes in detail. 

Working holiday visas.

UK citizens up to age 35 can now apply for subsequent visas without regional work requirements. In addition, Australia introduced Subclass 462 Work and Holiday Visas for Philippine citizens aged 18-30. This visa requires applicants to hold tertiary education qualifications or have completed at least two years of post-secondary education. 

Temporary graduate visa.

Temporary Graduate Visa (Subclass 485) streams have been renamed as Post-Vocational Work stream and Post-Higher Education Work stream. Age limits are now 35, or 50 for applicants who completed a Masters (research) or Doctoral Degree (PhD) to meet the Australian study requirement or hold a Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport.

The English proficiency requirement has been raised to 6.5 (IELTS or equivalent).

Student visa changes.

In a major change to the operation of student visas in Australia, holders of certain visas including Subclass 485 Visa and Visitor Visas (among others) can no longer apply for a student visa while they are physically present in Australia.  

Superannuation employer contribution.

The Superannuation Guarantee has increased to 11.5%. Employers must ensure that sponsored visa holders receive the additional superannuation entitlement and that the guaranteed annual earnings that have been approved by immigration are not reduced to absorb this increase. 

Other notable changes.

• Updates to 482 & 494 visa conditions.  

• Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) raised to $73,150.  

• Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) set at $175,000. 

• BIIP 188 Visa closed; National Innovation Visa planned for 2024. 

• Enhanced fines under Migration Amendment Act 2024 for employer compliance. 

• Government lodgment fees increased by approximately 2.8% for most visa subclasses.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Case for any case- or company-specific assessments.  

The post AUSTRALIA – Immigration changes as of July 1, 2024. appeared first on Newland Chase.

Update: August 5, 2024

The pass endorsement service at KLIA Terminal 1 has resumed operations.

Original article: July 23, 2024

At the time of writing, the pass endorsement service at the ESC counter, KLIA Terminal 1 office is temporarily unavailable due to shortage of pass stickers.

We understand that the Immigration Department is unable to provide an immediate timeline for the replenishing of pass stickers. Having said that, the recommendation is to utilize alternative methods for pass endorsement, such as delivery through Pos Malaysia or collection at the MDEC office.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Chase for any case- or company-specific assessments.

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