By: Clara Excler

Changes to travelling in Europe are due to take place in 2024 and 2025 with the introduction of the Entry-Exit System (EES) and the European Travel and Immigration Authorisation System (ETIAS). This update provides a summary on the EES.

Purpose of EES

EES is an automated border registration system that travelers will need to go through each time they enter and exit the Schengen area (I.e. each time they cross the external EU borders. The system does not apply to intra-Schengen travel).

The aims of EES include:

• To check the identity of the traveler
• To replace entry and exit stamps in passports
• To check travelers’ criminal records
• To check travelers’ immigration history, including previous entry or visa refusal
• To create an electronic record of each traveler’s stay in the Schengen area.

Please note:

• If a traveler has exceeded their Schengen allowance of 90 days in a 180-day period, they can be refused entry.
• Visits for both business and personal (tourist) reasons are counted towards the Schengen allowance.

EES-required nationals

All non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will require an EES. This includes visa-required as well as non-visa-required non-EU/EEA/Swiss nationals entering the Schengen area as visitors.

EES-required countries

All Schengen countries will be using the EES:

• Austria
• Belgium
• Croatia
• Czech Republic
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxembourg
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

EES process for travelers

Travelers will have their biometric data (fingerprints and facial photograph) taken at a special kiosk, before processing their passport, and the system will check the data against EU security databases (SIS, Interpol, SLTD).

A mobile application is currently being developed by the EU, to start pre-registration from home, but it is not expected to be ready for the launch of the new system.

Airports, ports and railway stations are in full preparation mode, investing in dedicated registration zones and facilities, planning to adapt their queuing system (especially for cars and coaches) and installing and testing the new kiosks.

While some airports are raising concern about their readiness, the biggest challenges are faced at the English Channel crossing, at the ports of Calais, Dover, Folkestone, and the Eurostar terminals, which have dual controls, limited space for processing, and must also plan to adapt the registration zones to weather conditions.

EES implementation timeline

There have been a number of delays to implementation, and current reports indicate that the implementation of EES is once again postponed. The European Authorities never formally confirmed a date, but October 2024 had been the latest launch date circulated. Amid concerns of readiness, November 10, 2024 (November 17 at the very latest) is now suggested as the new tentative launch date.

Newland Chase insight

We recommend anticipating delays when entering and exiting the Schengen area, particularly during the transition phase after initial implementation of the system. Travellers should allow additional time prior to boarding, especially when crossing the English Channel via train or ferry.

We also advise employers to keep track of their employees’ Schengen allowance (which includes any time spent in the Schengen area for either business or holidays), as it will become recorded and tracked by the EES, leaving no room for mistakes.

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.

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Update, May 8, 2024: China has extended the visa-free policy for short-term visits to China for 12 countries until December 31, 2025. The extension is “to promote exchanges between Chinese and foreign nationals”, and applies to citizens of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Malaysia, Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg. Citizens of these countries with ordinary passports will be allowed to enter and stay in China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends, and transit.

Update, March 7, 2024: The government of China is extending limited visa-free travel to an additional six European countries. As of Thursday, 14 March, passport holders from Switzerland, Ireland, Hungary, Austria, Belgium, and Luxembourg will also be allowed to visit China for business, tourism, or to visit family, for up to 15 days without a visa. The waiver for these six countries will remain in effect until 30 November 2024.

For visits of longer than 15 days, or for reasons other than those cited above, visitors will still need to apply for the appropriate visa from the Chinese government.

Late last year, China launched visa-free travel for up to 15 days for passport holders from six countries – please see our original post below for additional information.

Original Post, November 27, 2023: China is granting a visa-waiver to citizens of six countries, allowing them to visit China for periods up to 15 days for Business, Tourism, Family Visit, and Transit purposes. The waiver applies to citizens/passport holders from the following countries.

• Germany​
• The Netherlands​
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Malaysia​

China already allows short-term visa-free travel from some Asian nations, including Singapore.

The waiver is being introduced on a temporary basis and is expected to be in place for at least the next year. The waiver goes into effect for passport holders from the six countries on 01 December. It allows entry through any port-of-entry in Mainland China. People traveling on the visa-waiver are limited to a single entry/exit; multiple entries are not permitted. The traveler must exit China by midnight of the 14th day of their visit.

The policy may be revoked by the Chinese government at any time. It comes as China continues to try to build back international tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic. While China has seen domestic travel now exceed pre-pandemic levels, international travel to China is still lagging. ​

Immigration Insights​

Although the policy has been formally announced, a number of questions remain. It is unclear if existing visas for travel from these countries for periods under 15 days will still remain valid. China is indicating travelers will not be able to apply for visas “just in case” as a backup, if they qualify for the waiver. It is also unclear if airlines and cruise lines have been informed of the policy change, and if attempting to travel visa-free will cause issue with air carriers and cruise lines.

We will continue to monitor this developing situation and continue to provide updates about its implementation.

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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On March 31, 2024, Japan launched a new residence status called “Digital Nomad Visa”. This visa allows eligible foreign nationals to remain in Japan for up to six months in a 12-month period and work remotely for their overseas employer. Digital Nomad Visa holders are permitted to carry out the provision of paid services or selling of goods to overseas clients and are geared towards professions such as software developers, digital designers, virtual assistants, or sole proprietors of foreign companies.

How do applicants qualify for this visa?

• Applicants must be a national of a visa-exempt country and a country with a bilateral tax treaty with Japan. 
• Applicants must be employed by and remunerated by their employers overseas. 
• Applicants must have a minimum annual income of at least JPY 10 million (approx. USD 68,300) or more at the time of application 
• Applicants must hold an insurance policy that covers death, injury, and illness during their stay in Japan. Coverage of 10 million yen or more for the costs of treatment for injuries and illnesses must be in place.

A Digital Nomad Visa-holder can bring a legally married spouse and children with legal parentage to Japan, provided they also meet eligibility criteria. The Digital Nomad Visa will come under the “designated activities” visa category. Refer to the table below for the list of eligible nationalities.

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.

Nationalities Eligible for Japan’s Digital Nomad Visa

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 JAPAN – Digital Nomad Visa Launched    appeared first on Newland Chase.

Effective April 24, 2024, the Peruvian visa exemption for Mexican ordinary passport holders for tourist and business visits to Peru will be suspended. Mexican ordinary passport holders who wish to visit Peru for tourism or business purposes must apply for an appropriate visa at the nearest Peruvian diplomatic mission in their country of citizenship or ordinary residence before travel.

However, the following Mexican passport holders remain exempt from tourist and business visa requirements for up to 180 calendar days, either as a continuous visit or several consecutive visits during a one-year period, and are not required to apply for a visa before travel:

The holder of a visa for the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, or any member state of the Schengen area (see Note 1), with a minimum validity of six months.

The holder of permanent residence status as a foreigner for the United States of America, Canada, United Kingdom, Australia, Japan, any member state of the Schengen area, or any member state of the Pacific Alliance (see Note 2).

Newland Chase insights

The visa exemption suspension by the Peruvian government is in response to the Mexican government’s decision on April 6, 2024, to temporarily suspend the visa exemption enjoyed by Peruvian passport holders for travel to Mexico for tourism or business purposes with effect from April 20, 2024. The decision was taken due to an exponential increase in the number of irregular Peruvian migrants travelling through Mexico to reach the United States and Canada, which has created a humanitarian emergency. It is hoped that this measure will stop migrants from putting their lives, health and human rights at risk.

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.

Notes:

1. The member states of the Schengen area include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

2. The member states of the Pacific Alliance, include Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.

The post PERU – Suspension of Visa Exemption for Mexican Ordinary Passport Holders appeared first on Newland Chase.

As the world’s largest economic region, and home to many of the highest scoring countries for quality of life and general well-being, Europe attracts foreign workers and business visitors from all over the world. In addition, its rich cultural heritage and diverse natural landscapes position the region as the global leader for tourism.

Most European countries have either joined the European Union (EU)¹ and/or the European Economic Area (EEA)², or have applied for membership of the EU. Between the EU and EEA countries, and to a lesser extent, Switzerland, there exists freedom of movement of capital, goods, persons, and services. This provides for some interesting options for cross border travel and work within the region (hereafter referred to as EU+), both for nationals of these countries as well as nationals from the rest of the world—so-called third-country nationals (TCNs).

The EU+ countries, with the exception of Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania, have also joined together to create the Schengen Area³—a single travel area within which generally no border controls take place⁴.

However, the cooperation between these countries also comes with limitations, which are often unknown or misunderstood by employers and their employees, and visitors generally. In this article we address some of the most common misconceptions about short-term travel within Europe from abroad.

Misconception 1: One visa allows travel to all European countries

The countries which form the Schengen area have defined a common list of third country nationalities who are visa-exempt for a cumulative stay up to 90 days in each rolling 180 days period (90/180 days, in short) in the whole of Schengen⁵. Nationalities not included in the visa-exempt list will require a so-called Schengen C visa for such short stays, which can be issued as Single Entry for one specific trip, Double Entry for two specific trips or (after having compliantly travelled on one or both of these several times) Multiple Entry within a longer period. Such Schengen C visas upon entry generally allow travel throughout the whole of the Schengen area (with border crossings within Schengen not being considered separate entries). The maximum allowed stay on a Schengen C visa can also be up to 90/180 days but is subject to the validity duration approved by the consulate.

Therefore, while one visa can indeed facilitate travel to many European countries, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland and Romania, although part of EU and EEA, are not part of Schengen and therefore have their own visitor visas. Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania do allow travel for Schengen visa holders to some extent, but the Schengen visa cannot be obtained through their consulates, and their national visas do not allow travel to Schengen. All other European countries outside of these four also have their individual visas which cannot be used for international travel within Schengen or the rest of Europe.

Misconception 2: A visa-exempt stay in Schengen can be extended by obtaining a Schengen visa or a second passport

Many travellers who are exempt from requiring a Schengen visa incorrectly believe that if they want to stay longer than the 90/180 days, they will simply be able to apply for a Schengen visa when nearing the maximum allowed period of stay. In fact, it is generally not possible for exempt nationals to obtain a Schengen C visa at all.

There are some circumstances in which a Schengen visa waiver national would require a special Schengen C visa (most commonly if the individual wants to work for a short period in certain countries), but in such scenarios the time spent on that special Schengen C visa will still count towards the 90/180 days stay limit. (Stays on a special C visa will be counted together with the visa free stay).

Obtaining a second passport does not extend the allowed stay beyond 90/180 days. This restriction applies per person, not per passport.

The only way to obtain authorisation for a stay of longer than 90/180 days in Schengen is to obtain long term residence authorisation in a specific country (either through a residence permit or the equivalent Schengen long stay D visa for that country), in which case stay in that country only will no longer count towards the 90/180 days restriction. However, such residence authorisation can generally only be obtained if the planned stay in that country is more than 90/180 days, and in most cases requires a company sponsoring the permit for work related reasons, as well as having a residential address in the country.

Therefore, it is crucial for frequent travellers to Schengen to plan their trips as far in advance as possible, and to keep close track of all dates of stay in Schengen (including dates of arrival and departure, no matter how short the stay). This should include not only dates travelled for work—personal stays in Schengen will also need to be counted.

If travel is planned by someone else (e.g. a project manager), then those personal dates of stay in Schengen will need to be shared with them. The European Commission has created a Schengen calculator which allows you to verify that planned travel is within the allowable limit: https://ec.europa.eu/assets/home/visa-calculator/calculator.htm?lang=en⁶

Misconception 3: Visa exempt stay allows work

Many people refer generally to immigration documentation as “visa requirements”. This may be because there are a few well known countries in the world where work and residence authorisation are both issued in the form of a visa, most notably the USA. However, in most countries a visa only allows its holder, subject to the border control officer’s discretion, to enter a country for a pre-determined period. In most countries, work authorisations and long term residence authorisations are issued through separate documents, most commonly work and residence permits (potentially combined in a single permit). For this reason, it is better to refer to “immigration requirements”.

Due to the incorrect use of the term “visa requirements”, people could incorrectly assume that if they are visa exempt for a short stay in Schengen (or another country or region), that this means that they are authorised to carry out working activities on this visa free status as well.

However, generally this is not allowed, and activities should be strictly limited to activities such as tourism, visiting family and friends, and any activities recognised as business in the specific host country.

The same restrictions apply for people travelling on a Schengen C visa as for visa waiver nationals (unless, in either case, additional work authorisation has been obtained). Furthermore, if the activities are considered work, then other requirements, such as a Posted Worker Notification and related obligations, may also apply.

A special note for British nationals: although the EU and the UK negotiated a Trade and Cooperation Agreement⁷ (TCA), this agreement does not in general allow work to be carried out by British nationals in the EU (or vice versa). The TCA does contain a list with some activities that should be allowed on business status which otherwise tend to be considered work, however, some of these activities are open to different interpretations. In addition, some non-conforming measures have been included by some of the EU member states, which means that it has been agreed for them still not to allow some of those activities without a work permit, or for them to add additional restrictions to the activities for them to be allowable on business status. Posted Worker obligations may also still apply, even if the activity is work permit exempt.

Misconception 4: All countries in Europe allow the same activities on business status

Although there is a lot of cooperation between European states, this in general does not include a common list of allowed activities on business status. Many countries do not even themselves have a clear definition of what business activities are, so there are a lot of grey areas.

Therefore, whenever travelling abroad for work related reasons, even if it is only for one or a few days, it is always important to verify if the planned activities are allowed on business status or would potentially require work authorisation. Companies that have many frequent travellers could benefit from a robust assessment tool, to obtain visibility and ensure their employees are travelling compliantly.

However, apart from the aforementioned TCA business-allowed activities for British nationals, there is one other exception: the EU Blue Card Directive (2021/1883)⁸ contains a list of activities which EU Blue Card holders should be allowed to carry out when travelling on their Blue Card for business to other EU states: attending internal or external business meetings, attending conferences or seminars, negotiating business deals, undertaking sales or marketing activities, exploring business opportunities, or attending and receiving training. That said, new Directive, although officially due to be implemented into national legislations by 18 November 2023, has not been implemented yet in most EU countries. In addition, some of the activities as included in the list above are still subject to multiple possible interpretations. Therefore, it is expected that there will remain differences in what will be allowed for EU Blue Card holders when travelling on business to other EU countries.

Misconception 5: You can choose where to apply for a Schengen visa

Although a Schengen C visa, once issued, can in most cases be used to travel throughout the Schengen area, this does not mean that you can freely choose through which country’s consulate you want to apply for the visa. Instead, the visa needs to be obtained through a consulate of the country of main destination. In case the person is planning to travel to multiple countries, then in principle, the country where the person will stay the longest is considered the main destination. If stay will be equally long, then the country of first entry into the Schengen area has jurisdiction. Note that if multiple destinations are known at the time of visa application, supporting documentation regarding all those destinations will need to be provided.

Furthermore, a person needs to apply at the consulate with jurisdiction over their country of nationality or country of residence (which in some low volume locations can actually be in another country). Within that country there may be multiple consulates and/or visa application centres representing the same Schengen country.

Often then one consulate/visa application centre will have jurisdiction based on city of residence, although some Schengen states may allow applications to be filed at any of their representations within a specific country.

Preparations are currently being made to move the Schengen application process to one unified online system. Although this online system is planned to be implemented within the next few years, the current experience of continuing delays in the implementation of two other travel related digitalisation efforts (ETIAS travel authorisation for visa exempt nationals and the Entry and Exit System-EES) may cast doubt on whether such short timeline will be met.

Misconception 6: You can apply for a tourism visa to carry out business activities

Schengen C visas can be issued for different purposes, most commonly tourism and business, each of which require different types of supporting documents. Furthermore, different countries can issue different visa types. For example, Switzerland has a separate Schengen C visa category for visiting family, while many other countries may include this in the more generic tourism visa type.

The visas are sometimes issued with a remark from the issuing Schengen country regarding the purpose for which the visa has been issued. However, if the visa is issued for Multiple Entry (not to be confused with a Double Entry visa), then the visa can also be used for a purpose other than the one indicated in the Remark (if that type of activity is allowed on a visitor status by the host country). This means that, for example, a visa with the remark of tourism can be used for a business visit. However, this does not mean that you can apply for a Tourism Schengen C visa, if the purpose of obtaining the visa is to carry out business activities.

At time of application for a Schengen C visa, it is mandatory to provide information and documentation related to all planned visits at that time, and all information needs to be accurate at that time (for example, it is not permitted to use dummy hotel reservations).

This means that if, at the time of application, you have already planned a specific business visit, you will need to submit supporting documentation related to that business visit and apply for a business visa. Not doing so may be considered fraud.

However, if you currently only have tourism activities planned, then you can apply for a tourism visa with related supporting documents. If the issued validity allows, you can then later use that visa for a later planned business visit as well.

If using a visa with a remark referring to a different purpose, it is advisable to bring some proof that you have initially travelled for the purpose for which the visa was issued. In the event that the initial trip for which the visa was obtained was cancelled, then documentation relating to the cancellation of the trip should ideally be available. Without such documentation the border control officer may draw the conclusion that you have obtained your visa on a fraudulent basis, which may result in refusal of entry and visa cancellation and can negatively impact future visa applications.

About the author: Carlijn Langeveld is a seasoned global immigration specialist with more than 16 years of experience under her belt. As Advisory Services Manager she provides strategic immigration advice to Global Mobility and Travel Managers of both Small and Medium Sized companies, as well as large Fortune 500 multinationals. Her specialties include work related travel in Schengen and the EU, and Posted Worker Compliance.

1 EU consists of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden

2 EEA consists of EU, plus Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein

3 Bulgaria and Romania are making significant steps towards joining the Schengen area. As part of this process, from 31st March 2024 border control between Schengen and these countries will be abolished for travellers through air and sea.

4 If special circumstances threaten its safety, a Schengen country can temporarily reintroduce border controls. This exception has e.g. been widely used during the Covid crisis, and is currently being used by some countries related to the war in Ukraine.

5 This means that on any day of stay in Schengen on visa exempt visitor status you need to look back at the past 180 days (including that day), and determine if this day of stay will bring you beyond the allowed 90 days in that 180 days period.

6 Newland Chase has a more user-friendly Schengen stay calculator available which allows for more continuous tracking and planning.

7 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/HTML/?uri=CELEX:22021A0430(01)&from=EN#d1e33059-10-1

8 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/PDF/?uri=CELEX:32021L1883&from=EN

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Ultimately, that’s why people work with Newland Chase: Our client relationship team is committed to delivering results, no matter what obstacles stand in their way. As one team member put it, “There is almost nothing that [we] cannot offer in the areas of visa, immigration, and document services.”

We asked some of our most committed and talented team members how they deliver the best possible service for their clients. Reading their responses, it’s clear you won’t find comparable service anywhere else.

Elaine Ang, Senior Client Manager

How long have you worked with Newland Chase?

I joined in September 2021.

In your own words, what is the value in working with a partner like Newland Chase for immigration services?

I feel so proud whenever I am speaking with a client about the breadth of our service offerings, simply because it is not an exaggeration when I say that there is almost nothing that CIBT cannot offer in the areas of V&I and document services.

Besides this obvious fact, I truly believe that Newland Chase does not just pay lip service—we truly listen to our clients needs, no matter the size of the engagement. This even resonates throughout our organization, and I observe that all our internal stakeholders are willing to listen and hear out clients’ requirements and proactively offer solutions to make things work.

Please provide an example of a time you went above and beyond for a client. What was the issue and the outcome?

Our engagement with one client initially began in Europe, and their stakeholders recommended their APAC team to Newland Chase when they had expansion plans in the region. Initial discussions with the APAC Mobility Lead commenced as early as February 2022, and we only managed to close the APAC addendum in December!

The drawn-out negotiations were impacted by team members being hit by COVID-19 infections, the client’s price sensitivity, and more, but I pursued the lead tenaciously. The APAC subsidiary utilizes local immigration service providers in Singapore and Thailand, and yet the Mobility Lead was convinced of our value proposition and managed to also persuade their internal stakeholders to select Newland Chase over a local service provider for Vietnam.

I recently met the client at an event and she spoke passionately to the forum about the importance and value of partnership with vendors, given her experience working with Newland Chase.

What is the next trip you will take for business or leisure?

I am currently 30 weeks pregnant and am glad to share that my last trip was a work trip to Shanghai—it was very meaningful for me, both personally and professionally. Although I am now grounded flight-wise, I am already secretly planning to bring my daughter to see her family living outside of Singapore in 2024—paternal grandparents in Okayama, Japan, and aunty and cousins in Brisbane, Australia.

Carol Myint, Client Manager

How long have you worked with Newland Chase?

Since June 2022.

In your own words, what is the value in working with a partner like Newland Chase for immigration services?

It is the care and attention we put into our client and applicant relationships among the Client Manager, the Country Director, the Newland Chase Consultant with our clients. We really get to know our applicants.

Please provide an example of a time you went above and beyond for a client. What was the issue and the outcome?

A client had a family that had to travel to the US for urgent medical care. The family was located in a country where the US embassy and consulates remained closed. I was able to urgently connect the applicant with our consultant on the ground, and we successfully asked for an emergency visa appointment, which was granted. The medical visa was also granted, and the family could travel to the US on time.

As a result, this client was so pleased that we have had more cases with them, advising on Germany, Malaysia, and Taiwan.

What is the next trip you will take for business or leisure?

I just got back from one-week backpacking in the Grand Canyon (and yes, I got all the way to the Colorado River) in Arizona and I also have a family wedding coming up in Nashville, Tennessee—home to the “Grand Ole Opry House” and the center of the country-music scene.

Fernanda Solorzano, Senior Client Manager

How long have you worked with Newland Chase?

I’ve been working with Newland Chase since the office in Mexico was acquired back in 2016. Shortly after, I moved to Houston, Texas, to work in what was then the US Hub. In 2019 I moved to Oregon to be an on-site client manager for a client. A year ago, I moved to Spain, so I now work hybrid at our office in Madrid.

In your own words, what is the value in working with a partner like Newland Chase for immigration services?

As there is a limited number of global companies that provide immigration services, and this is Newland Chase’s main focus, our level of expertise on immigration matters is truly impressive.

Additionally, the agreements and partnerships we have with immigration law firms in places where Newland Chase does not have a national office significantly enlarges the number of countries where we can provide services to our clients. It is important to mention that there is a thorough process to determine with which partners Newland Chase will associate with to ensure that the best service is provided.

We are known for our caring employees. Our culture consists of fully understanding our clients’ needs and knowing that whenever a person is going through an immigration process, this means they are experiencing a life-changing experience; therefore, our main purpose is for our clients to have an outstanding experience while working with us.

Please provide an example of a time you went above and beyond for a client. What was the issue and the outcome?

Newland Chase has partnered with my client for quite some time now; therefore, several people from both sides have worked on the account. As such, there have been significant changes and challenges when building the relationship with the current team working for the account to ensure we adapt to the client’s needs.

Based on the previous systems to save data and records, we’ve been working hard to keep our records up to date by auditing the current and previous cases. This allows us to determine which actions we need to take, both internally and with immigration authorities, to rectify any matter that needs to be amended.

What is the next trip you will take for business or leisure?

My next trip will be to Belgium, and it will be for leisure—I have always wanted to visit, as I’ve heard it’s absolutely beautiful. One of the reasons I’m traveling is to see the Christmas markets and the city during this time of the year.

Kayleigh Starling, Client Manager

How long have you worked with Newland Chase?

I will be celebrating my two-year anniversary with Newland Chase in January 2024 and brought my experience of global mobility, immigration, destination services, and household-goods shipping from my eight-year tenure with a leading relocation management company (RMC).

In your own words, what is the value in working with a partner like Newland Chase for immigration services?

Relocating in general is an incredibly emotive experience for assignees—one I personally have an intimate understanding of through my work with an RMC, but also my very own relocations.

In my opinion, immigration is key to the overall success of a move and an important trigger for all other relocation tasks. At the best of times, it can be seen as an overwhelming and complex process. Add on to this the challenges of recent years, such as COVID-19, Brexit, the Russia/Ukraine conflict, and what appears to be a trend in shrinking global-mobility teams, and it becomes imperative that a superior partnership network is in place to drive a positive assignee experience for our clients.

Ultimately, I believe having a central point of contact with global accountability for immigration requirements drives regional support at a consistently high standard and results in a globally consistent end-to-end process for all parties.

Please provide an example of a time you went above and beyond for a client. What was the issue and the outcome?

I recently completed a large Request for Information (RFI) project for one of my long-standing clients. Although our direct client contacts were extremely happy with our partnership, service delivery and offerings, the CEO of the organization initiated the RFI due to a cost-saving initiative and noted immigration fees as an area that needed to be reduced.

The procurement and global-mobility teams did not want to invest the time and resources to conduct a full Request for Proposal (RFP) or a change in provider, especially given the service satisfaction with us, so asked us to partner to meet the objective of the CEO.

First, I set up an in-person meeting at their headquarters in the Netherlands to hold a strategic discussion to better understand their requirements and present a refresher on our value offering, achievements, and fees previously negotiated ahead of the RFI request. This meeting was an important step to show our commitment to meeting and fully understanding how we can successfully support.

Following this, I conducted in-depth analysis on services in scope, services utilized, fees and initiation volumes. Utilizing the outcome, I conducted several internal discussions with local teams and our leadership to prepare a best and final offer to meet the cost-saving needs.

I prepared the procurement and global-mobility teams with the tools to communicate the outcome to their CEO successfully, showcasing our efforts to meet their objective. For example, there were occasions when we were unable to discount our fees to meet their target rate, and we appeared to be above the market. We spoke and documented extensively how comparing immigration providers’ costs can be challenging, gave a copy of our fee schedule with detailed descriptions of scope, and highlighted extra benefits included within our fees.

Due to the volume of serviced locations and a frequent changeover in the client’s procurement team, this project took almost 12 months to complete, but resulted successfully in the award of a 12-month contract extension.

What is the next trip you will take for business or leisure?

My next trip will be to London to present end-of-year reviews for two of my clients based in the city. Celebrating our achievements during our partnership over the year is one of my favorite parts of my role, and having the opportunity to have these meetings in person makes it even more gratifying after so many years of restrictions!

For leisure, I am going to avoid the temptation of some winter sun and head up to the north of the UK to visit family—and attempt to run the half-marathon route I will be running officially in Newcastle in 2024!

Stay in the loop with Newland Chase

As you can see, if you’re looking for exceptional service to help you navigate your company’s visa and immigration needs, look no further than Newland Chase. You won’t find a more committed, dedicated, and knowledgeable team working in the visa and immigration space. Contact us for a quote today.

The post Meet Your Newland Chase Client Management Team appeared first on Newland Chase.

Foreign expatriates have been returning to Israel in greater numbers over the past two weeks. Individuals seeking to return but with upcoming or past visa expiration circumstances should consider submitting an application for a waiver from consular processing. We recommend liaising with a specialist immigration provider for support with this as the approval of waivers requires strong justification and a compelling case needs to be submitted to Israeli immigration authorities.

Foreign nationals seeking to secure work authorisation in Israel should be aware that, effective January 1, 2024, the minimum monthly prevailing wage for foreign national experts has now increased to NIS 24,758—up 5.5 percent from 2023.

Additionally, from within Israel, the US Embassy has resumed non-immigrant and immigrant visa services. Appointments are available on the scheduling site for Israelis seeking to schedule interviews for H, L and E employee applications, as well as O and other non-immigrant visa classifications. The State Department has extended the interview waiver program for certain eligible non-immigrant applicants who wish to renew their visas. Israeli nationals may qualify for interview waiver if they apply in Israel; have no prior visa refusals (unless waived or overcome); and display no apparent or potential ineligibility. Renewal applicants must apply within 48 months of the prior visa’s expiration date. It should be noted that in-person interviews may still be required based on individual cases and at the discretion of the Consular Officer.

As the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to evolve, CIBT will continue to monitor any developments and provide updates as necessary.

Friday 10 November Update:

The Ministry of Interior in Israel are yet to provide further information regarding an automatic extension to work visas for foreign employees beyond 9 November.

Further to our previous alert advising that expiration dates of valid work visas would be extended up to 9 November 2023, immigration authorities have not yet released an additional automatic extension of work visas for foreign employees or published any official guidelines to clarify the situation.

Foreign nationals who have already departed Israel with visas due to expire whilst they are outside of Israel must have their visa extensions processed at Israeli consulates before the expiry of their current visas. Due to the complexity and evolving nature of the conflict, we recommend liaising with immigration providers for further advice as several Israeli consulates worldwide are working with reduced hours or are currently closed. All matters, including the lack of clear government guidelines for visa extensions, should be reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will depend on various factors including the employee’s nationality, physical location, and visa expiration date as well as other considerations.

For some consular matters, there may be a possibility to submit a special request for a waiver from consular processing and to instead have this completed in Israel, However, should this be successful, work activities can only commence once the visa processing is complete in Israel (which may take an additional 1-2 days).  We would recommend that all employers of foreign nationals seeking to extend their stay in Israel, begin the process for visa renewals three months prior to their visa expiration date to allow for sufficient time for work visas to be processed.

Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing from Gaza into Egypt continues to open periodically. This week, a number of foreign passport holders and some injured evacuees passed through the crossing following a two-day suspension.  The Rafah border crossing is the only exit from Gaza that does not border Israel.

As the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to evolve, CIBT will continue to monitor any developments and provide updates as necessary.

Wednesday 01 November Update:

The Rafah border crossing connecting Gaza with Egypt has reopened for the first time since the start of the conflict between Israel and Hamas.  Severely injured Palestinians requiring hospital treatment as well as dual national foreign passport holders have been permitted to evacuate Gaza.  The embassies of the people permitted to leave the warzone have been informed in advance.  It is expected that further evacuations will take place in the coming days.

Meanwhile, Israeli immigration authorities have advised that that the expiration date for all visas (other than B-1 work visas) – which were due to expire before 8 February 2024, will automatically be extended to 8 February 2024. Additionally, foreign nationals working in the domestic caregiving and agriculture sectors whose work permits were due to expire between 7 October 2023, and 7 January 2024, will now be granted an extension of three months from the expiration date of each permit.

Unless any further announcements are made regarding extensions, visas should be extended following the regular extension process.  As mentioned previously, all visa holders with an expiration date prior to 9 November 2023, including work visas, will automatically be extended to 9 November 2023.

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs have now closed Israeli embassies in the following countries: Egypt, Jordan, Bahrain, Turkmenistan, and Morocco.

As the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to evolve, CIBT will continue to monitor any developments and provide updates as necessary.

Friday 27 October update:

Immigration authorities in the United Arab Emirates have placed additional security checks on Palestinian and Israeli nationals applying for visas required to obtain employment and dependent permits.  Additionally, Newland Chase has observed an increasing trend of visit visa refusals from Lebanon, Egypt, and Palestine.

It is still possible for Israeli citizens to enter the UAE, and the UAE is still granting visa on arrival for tourism/business meetings.

Currently, it is not possible for Israeli nationals to enter Lebanon, Egypt, Qatar or Saudi Arabia unless there are humanitarian grounds to apply for an exemption to enter these countries. As the conflict develops, we anticipate that additional countries may consider restricting entry for Israeli citizens.

Finally, a growing number of countries are advising their citizens to avoid travel to Lebanon at this time. The US State Department has raised its advisory for Lebanon to Level 4: Do Not Travel. The US embassy in Lebanon is advising American citizens who wish to depart Lebanon to leave immediately, due to the unpredictable security situation. International flights from Beirut–Rafic Hariri Airport are still operating, though at reduced capacity. The US Embassy in Lebanon further is offering potential financial assistance to Americans wishing to leave Lebanon, but who lack funds.

Tuesday 24 October update:

Cyprus to assist with evacuation and repatriation 

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Cyprus have implemented the Special National Plan ESTIA to support with the evacuation and repatriation of foreign citizens from an area in crisis.

Special National Plan ESTIA is activated in times of emergency or crisis, to allow for the safe evacuation of civilians from a nearby crisis area (in this instance the wider Middle East region) through Cyprus.  More specifically, in consultation with the embassies of 26 countries (including the US, Denmark, UK, Portugal, Holland, Belgium and Germany), Cyprus will operate as a transit for foreign nationals seeking to return to their home countries. Cypriot authorities are arranging temporary accommodation, food, and special return flights to transport foreign citizens back to their country of nationality.  The Special National Plan ESTIA is not applicable for Israeli or Palestinian nationals.

Holders of Israeli passports can enter Cyprus as visitors, without a visa for stays that do not exceed 90 days within a six-month period provided that their passport will be valid for at least three months at the date of departure.

Palestinian nationals cannot enter Cyprus as visitors and will need to apply for a visa. If they are already holders of a visa allowing entry to Cyprus, it is recommended to check with their embassy their individual status to find any available options.

As the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to evolve, CIBT will continue to monitor any developments and provide updates as necessary.

Friday 20 October update:

Israeli citizens eligible for visa-free travel to US effective immediately

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have announced, with immediate effect, that Israeli citizens will be permitted to undertake short-term travel to the United States under the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) scheme.

US authorities had previously designated Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver Program effective 30 November 2023, however the implementation date has now been brought forward due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.  Successful applicants will be able to enter the United States for tourism or business purposes for up to 90 days. Israeli citizens and nationals who currently have a valid B-1/B-2 visas can also continue to use them for business and tourist travel to the United States.

Eligible Israeli citizens and nationals must have a biometrically enabled passport book. ESTA applications may take up to 72 hours for processing. The ESTA application will be available in English only at this time and is expected to be available in other languages by 1 November 2023.  ESTA is an automated system that assists in determining eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Upon completion of an ESTA application, travellers are notified of their eligibility to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Holders of non-biometric, temporary, or emergency travel documents, or travel documents from a non-Visa Waiver Program designated country will not be eligible for an ESTA but can instead apply for a U.S. visa.  Additionally, any individuals intending to stay in the United States longer than 90 days should consider applying for a visa instead of an ESTA.

Eligible travellers can apply online for authorization to travel to the United States through the ESTA at esta.cbp.dhs.gov or by downloading the “ESTA Mobile” app through iOS App Store or the Google Play Store.

Rafah border remains closed to Palestinian and foreign nationals in Gaza

Meanwhile, Palestinians and all foreign nationals continue to be unable to evacuate from Gaza across the neighbouring border to Egypt. In addition to border sites with Israel being closed, the Rafah crossing on the border of Egypt and Gaza remains shut meaning that it is not possible to evacuate the ongoing war taking place in Gaza.

As the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to evolve, CIBT will continue to monitor any developments and provide updates as necessary.

Friday 13 October update:

On 12 October 2023, the immigration authorities in Israel (known as the Population, Immigration and Border Authority ‘PIBA’), have announced that they will be closed to the public until further notice.  No indication has been provided regarding the duration of the closure.  This is likely to cause a further delay to work permit applications currently in process in Israel and/or at Israeli Consulates internationally.  For up-to-date information on the specific locations of the office closures, we recommend reviewing information on the PIBA website (piba.gov.il) or on telegram at: https://t.me/pibaIsrael.

Travel to Israel continues to be severely impacted by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine. Whilst some scheduled flights are operating as normal, individuals planning to enter or depart Israel should anticipate delays or cancellations.  The Ministry of Interior desk at Ben Gurion Airport Terminal 3 should be contacted in case an emergency passport is required for any individuals who has a flight booked within a 48-hour period.  More information on eligibility and issuance of emergency passports can be found on the PIBA website (Issue a emergency passport(temporary) or travel document | Population and Immigration Authority (www.gov.il))

As the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to evolve, CIBT will continue to monitor any developments and provide updates as necessary.

Wednesday 11 October update:

Further to our client alert on 9 October 2023, the security situation in Israel and Gaza remains unstable due to the ongoing conflict.  Ben Gurion Airport remains operational and commercial airlines are continuing flights to and from Israel, albeit with several scheduled flights being delayed or cancelled. As of 11 October, there have been no reported consular or embassy closings in Israel. This could change at any time and we will continue to monitor the situation and advise accordingly.

Immigration authorities in Israel have confirmed that the expiration dates of all currently valid work visas expiring for the next month will be extended until at least 9 November 2023. After this period, if no subsequent notification is issued, work permits or visas will need to be extended in accordance with the standard procedures.

Work permit applications currently in process may be delayed due to staff shortages within the immigration authorities in Israel and/or at Israeli Consulates internationally. As the Israel-Palestine crisis continues to evolve, CIBT will continue to monitor any developments and provide updates as necessary.

Monday 9 October:

The attacks by Hamas against Israel on Saturday have sparked a crisis situation across the country. CIBT has been monitoring the situation to determine how travel in and out of Israel will be affected.

As of Monday morning, there were no reported consular or embassy closings in Israel. This could change at any time, and we will continue to monitor the situation.

The US State Department in an official announcement is saying “the situation in Israel remains dynamic” but has not as yet issued a formal travel advisory. The State Department has published the following information for US citizens in Israel, saying: “US citizens seeking to be in touch with the US Embassy in Israel, can call 1-833-890-9595 (toll free) and 606-641-0131 (local). For the latest security alert regarding Israel, please click here.”

Meanwhile, the government of the United Kingdom issued an urgent advisory warning people to “avoid travel to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories.” The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office has specifically warned against all travel to Gaza, the Sheba’a Farms, and Ghajjar, as well as any areas within 500 meters of the borders with neighboring Lebanon and Syria, as well as all but essential travel to areas in the northern West Bank.

In terms of travel, Ben Gurion International Airport – Israel’s primary international airport – remains open, though sporadic closures due to Hamas rocket attacks are possible. A number of airlines, including America, Delta, British Airways, and Lufthansa, cancelled flights to Tel Aviv over the weekend and are scaling back operations this week. Anyone with a scheduled flight to or from Israel should check with your carrier on the current status of your flight.

Cruise lines are also being affected by the conflict. On Saturday both Holland America Lines and Oceana immediately suspended shore excursions and hastily left the port of Haifa in northern Israel on Saturday. Most cruise lines are either diverting from scheduled stops in Israel or canceling shorter cruises entirely.

The situation in Israel is rapidly developing. CIBT will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are consulates and embassies in Israel operating differently in light of the conflict? Will there be delays in visa and work permit issuance?

As of October 13, we have no reports of foreign embassy or consulate closures in Israel, though this may change as the conflict goes on, so please follow Newland Chase’s blog and social media accounts for updates.

On 12 October 2023, the immigration authorities in Israel (known as the Population, Immigration and Border Authority or ‘PIBA’), have announced that they will be closed to the public until further notice.  No indication has been provided regarding the duration of the closure.  This is likely to cause a further delay to work permit applications currently in process in Israel and/or at Israeli Consulates internationally.

Does CIBT provide services in the region?

Yes, we can provide travel document services to the region, including providing visas.

Can business travelers still move in and out of the region?

Yes, there are no broad travel bans currently in place, though some governments, like the United Kingdom and United States, are advising against travel to the region in general and are saying not to travel to Gaza specifically.

Flights into and out of David Ben Gurion airport – Israel’s main international airport – are subject to delays and cancelations, with some airlines stopping flights into Israel.

Can tourists still move in and out of the region?

Yes, there are no general travel bans currently in place, though many governments are advising against travel to the region. Flights into and out of David Ben Gurion airport – Israel’s main international airport – are subject to delays and cancelations, with some airlines stopping flights into Israel.

Cruise lines have been diverting away from port calls in Israel, and ending shore excursions, so if you are traveling to Israel as part of a cruise, the itinerary will likely remove any stops in Israel.

Anyone traveling to Israel currently for tourist purposes should exercise extreme caution and register with your country’s embassy in Israel upon arrival so you can be contacted in case of emergencies.

What precautions should foreign nationals in the region take?

If you are a foreign national currently in the Israel/Palestine region (or even in a neighboring country such as Lebanon or Jordan which could see fighting spill over into their countries) we recommend you register with your country’s embassy or consulate in case support is needed at any time.

US citizens should enroll in STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), which both lets local embassies and consulates know you are in the region and provides you with emergency alerts and advisories.

It is also important to keep a copy of your travel documents (copies of your passport, national ID cards, travel visas, work permits, etc.) with you at all times. Also monitor local media for real-time information on any potential disturbances in your immediate area.

Can Israelis travel to the United States without a visa?

Yes. A visa-waiver scheme between the US and Israel was scheduled to go into effect in November. Due to the ongoing conflict, the visa-waiver program has begun immediately. Israelis can now travel to the US for periods up to 90 days without a visa. For longer stays, a visa will still be required.

Can foreign nationals who are currently in Gaza leave?

Foreign governments have been working to arrangements for their citizens currently in Gaza to leave, though mobility is greatly affected by active military operations. The foreign nationals should plan to leave via the Rafah border crossing between Gaza and Egypt. The Rafah crossing has been open for limited periods of time for humanitarian reasons since the beginning of the conflict. Foreign nationals should work with their local embassy or consulate on procedures to leave Gaza.

How long is this conflict expected to last?

There is no way to tell, though we will work to provide information and travel document service for the duration of the conflict.

Where can travelers get regular updates?

Our staff is following developments in the region closely and will provide updates on any announced travel restrictions or embassy/consulate closings. Please follow our social media channels and our blog for updates.

Links
Blog: Immigration Insights – Newland Chase Global Immigration Services for Corporations & Individuals
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cibt/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cibtcorp
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CIBTGlobal

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Although sometimes allowed, generally it is advisable not to travel for business to the host country, especially for meetings at the future hosting entity; the inspectorate could at time of an inspection (mis)interpret the presence of a work authorisation applicant at the company’s premises as them having started their assignment prematurely, and hence illegally. Stay on other visitor status, for example for a look and see trip, is more often accepted by the authorities, but this is also not always allowed.

Sweden is a good example of a country where any stay in the country during work permit processing can lead to an immediate rejection of the application. Checking entry records by the authorities is a standard part of the application processes. In case of unexpected required travel to Sweden, the authorities would therefore need to be informed of the travel, which will result in them putting the application processing on hold for the duration of the applicant’s stay in Sweden.

In France employees were already advised to not travel to the country during work permit application processing, but recently the authorities have become stricter in this regard. The authorities are now requesting a signed statement that the employee is not in France during the application processing.  Furthermore, entry and exit records are now actively checked by the authorities as part of the application processing. Anyone that is travelling to France during processing therefore risks rejection of their application.

There are generally no border controls within the Schengen* area. As a result, travellers may arrive in one Schengen country and then travel freely by private or public transport to another Schengen country. Authorities are aware of this, and therefore countries such as Sweden and France may also question travel by applicants to other Schengen countries during processing of their work authorisation applications. Therefore, when applying for a permit to a Schengen country where such travel restriction during processing is applied, it is advisable to stay out of the Schengen area altogether until work authorisation (and visa, where required) is obtained.

Should you have any questions about the requirements or restrictions for any upcoming international travel, do not hesitate to reach out to Newland Chase at UK@newlandchase.com  to book a consultation with our immigration experts.

* Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.

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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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Operation of the Bogota office will be overseen by Diana Monsalve, who was recently named the director of Newland Chase’s practice in Colombia. Diana is a Colombian attorney holding a specialization degree in employment law from the Universidad del Rosario as well as a master’s degree in international business law from York University. She has years of experience working with some of the Big Four consulting firms, where she provided immigration assistance to a variety of multinational clients.

The new office in Brussels will be led by Buidi Mundadi, Newland Chase’s Senior Consultant in Belgium. In this role she will oversee all Belgian casework and will advise clients on all matters related to inbound immigration to Belgium. Buidi brings more than a decade of experience to the role of Immigration Manager, having worked previously for the Big Four accounting practices and several leading relocation management companies. She has worked with clients of all sizes from large multinationals to small independent firms, working both locally in Belgium as well as internationally.

The new Colombia office joins Newland Chase’s growing footprint in the LATAM region, which includes existing offices in Mexico, Brazil, and Argentina, while Belgium joins a list of CIBT/Newland Chase offices across Europe.

The post NEWLAND CHASE – New Services in Belgium, Colombia appeared first on Newland Chase.

Previously, CIBT provided immigration-related services in Hong Kong through our Newland Chase brand. Now, we will also offer service through CIBTvisas, whose mission is navigating the complexities of the visa process and simplifying work and travel. Among the services now available in Hong Kong through the CIBTvisas brand are business and tourist visas, extensive visa support for some of Hong Kong’s most popular outbound destinations, and documentation services including legalizations and police clearance certificate assistance. The office will also offer specialized assistance for Taiwan visa applications, and support for Hong Kong residents in obtaining Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travel Cards.

As part of our expansion in Hong Kong, we will be adding more dedicated staff who are local experts with a deep understanding of the visa processes in Hong Kong. This staff, along with our industry-leading technology and global mobility database, will supply best-in-class service to travelers, companies, and foreign workers needing mobility assistance in Hong Kong.

The new operations in Hong Kong are part of CIBT’s ongoing expansion in 2023, which has also seen us expand our service offerings in Belgium, and open a new office in Bogota, Colombia. CIBTvisas services in Hong Kong will be led by Latha Olavatth, VP, Client Relationships – Hong Kong.

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