Key Changes

The main immigration law changes are:

1. Jobseeker visa

A new specific visa has been created for anyone wishing to enter Portugal to find a job.  Foreign nationals can apply for a 120-day jobseeker visa, renewable for a further 60 days.  Holders of this visa type can start working immediately as soon as they have found employment and can apply for employment-based residence status in Portugal.  Previously, job seekers coming to Portugal were required to leave the country and apply for employment-based status from abroad after finding employment.

2. Streamlined visa routes for citizens from the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP)

Citizens of Angola, Brazil, East Timor, Guinea-Bissau, Mozambique and São Tomé and Príncipe can now benefit from streamlined visa issuance under the Mobility Agreement for Portuguese Speaking Countries.  Granting short-stay, temporary or residence visas for citizens under the Agreement on Mobility between CPLP member states waives a prior decision from the Portuguese Borders and Immigration Agency, SEF.

3. Operationalization of the second-generation Schengen Information System (SIS II)

The Borders and Immigration Agency is now required to input into the SIS II denials of entry and stay in Portugal when the denial is due to a concrete threat to the public order or security, or for national security reasons.  The prerogative to control exits from Portugal now includes national minors.  The scope of data to be included in the personal data records in SII/Borders and Immigration has therefore been widened, making it easier to implement refusals for travel, denial of entry and stay, or return, onto the SIS II.

4. Temporary stay and residence visa for remote workers

Foreign nationals can apply for an employment-based visa based on remote work or self-employment abroad.      Automatic assignment of provisional taxpayer, social security and healthcare numbers under the residence visa.  Applicants can obtain a temporary stay visa for stays up to one year, or residency visa for longer stays.

Other changes announced:

• When visas have been approved, an automatic notification is now being made to the Employment Services, Social Security, Tax Authority and the Health Ministry; allowing social security, tax and national health numbers to be issued more quickly.
• The process for issuance and renewal of residence documents for British nationals who benefit from the Brexit Agreement has been streamlined.
• EU Blue Cards can now be granted for two years, up from one; and renewed in three-year increments, up from two.

Newland Chase Insights

Although the law came into effect August 26, immigration officials continue to adapt to the recent amendments.  As such, there may be implementation issues during a transitional phase.  Newland Chase will continue to monitor any further updates from the Portuguese immigration authorities in relation to these changes.

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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Those certified to have tested positive for tuberculosis will not be able to apply for a long-term stay.

Who Is Affected?

The requirement has been extended to nationals of Nigeria, South Africa, Belarus, Mozambique, Moldova, Azerbaijan, Angola, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Zimbabwe, Kazakhstan, Congo, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Tajikistan and Peru.

It already applied to nationals of Nepal, East Timor, Laos, Russia, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, India, Indonesia, China, Cambodia, Kyrgyzstan, Thailand, Pakistan and Philippines.

The certificate is required for long-term visas including the E-7 for local hire; the D-7 for intra-company transfer; the D-8 for inter-company transfer; the D-9 (Treaty Trader) visa for service contracts; and the F-3 visa for dependent family members of work visa holders.

The certificate is not required for the type A visa (government official); the C-1 visa (short-term news coverage); the C-3 visa (short-term visit general); the C-4 visa (short-term employment); and children age under six and pregnant women.

Consular Applications

For long-term visa applications at a South Korean diplomatic mission, nationals of the above countries, resident in any of those countries, must submit a certificate of health including a TB test result, valid for three months, issued by a hospital designated by the relevant Korean diplomatic mission within the last three months.

If nationals of high TB-burden countries are applying from non-TB-burden countries, they need to have a TB test after arriving in South Korea and before applying for their ARC.

Post Arrival Applications

For change of status or extension of stay applications post arrival in South Korea, nationals of high TB-burden countries must submit a certificate of confirmation issued by a Korean public health centre. Applicants should check with a public health center by phone before the visit as most of the public health centers are currently fully focused on COVID-19 tests and treatments.

Our Advice

Employers who may be affected are encouraged to contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.

For general advice and information on immigration and business travel to South Korea, please contact us.

The post SOUTH KOREA: Tuberculosis Test for Long-Term Visa or Residence appeared first on Newland Chase.

Angolan passport holders will no longer require Port of Entry Visas in advance of travel to South Africa for the purposes of general business, tourism or family visits and may be issued with a Visitor’s Visa at the Port of Entry upon arrival in South Africa, valid for up to 30 days per visit.

Equally, South African passport holders will no longer require visas to enter Angola for the same purposes and period of stay.

The visa waiver does not include any form of work, study or self-employment.

Angolan nationals who are required to conduct short-term work in South Africa are still required to apply for a Port of Entry Visa with authorisation to conduct work in terms of Section 11(2) of the Immigration Act at the appointed VFS Visa Application Centres of the South African Embassy in Angola.

In the case of Angolan nationals resident abroad, they may apply at the relevant South African Diplomatic Mission with jurisdiction over their country of ordinary residence (including long-term temporary and permanent residence).

Our Advice

Nationals of Angola or South Africa intending to visit the other country for business should check with their Newland Chase immigration specialist to confirm whether their intended activities qualify for this visa waiver.

For advice and information on immigration to South Africa or Angola in general, please email us at enquiries@newlandchase.com.

This information was provided by our sister company Peregrine Immigration Management.

The post SOUTH AFRICA / ANGOLA: New Reciprocal Visa Waiver appeared first on Newland Chase.

The new regulation updates the list of countries whose nationals must undergo additional vetting to enter and work in Indonesia.

Who is affected?

Nationals of Albania, Angola, Bangladesh, Cuba, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Tanzania and Togo have all been removed from the restricted nationals list, and can now apply for visas and work authorisation without having to undergo extra vetting or supply additional justification.

Nationals of Guinea, Liberia and Niger have been added to the list, alongside nationals of countries which were previously on the list.

The full list of restricted nationals is now:

Afghanistan, Cameroon, Guinea, Israel, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Somalia.

Our Advice

Employers of restricted nationals should be aware that visa and work authorisation applications may take much longer and approvals may be very difficult to obtain.

Employers of nationals of countries which have been removed from the restricted list can expect much easier visa and work authorisation processes.

For advice and information on Indonesian immigration in general, please email us at enquiries@newlandchase.com.

This information was provided by our sister company, Peregrine Immigration Management.

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The post INDONESIA: Changes to the Restricted Nationals List appeared first on Newland Chase.

The new regulation updates the list of countries whose nationals must undergo additional vetting to enter and work in Indonesia.

The post INDONESIA: Changes to the Restricted Nationals List appeared first on Newland Chase.

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What has changed?

According to the new rule, work visas are now granted for the duration of the foreign national employee’s employment agreement.

However, the change has not yet been implemented by the immigration authorities in Angola.

Background

Since Presidential Decree No. 79/17 of 24^th March 2017, the duration of the employment agreement may be freely agreed between the employer and the employee, and may be renewed only twice – see our previous alert here.

Our advice

Employers hiring foreign nationals to work in Angola should consult an immigration specialist to check the latest employment regulations.

For advice and information on Angolan immigration in general, please email us at enquiries@newlandchase.com.

The post ANGOLA: Work Visas No Longer Limited to Three Years appeared first on Newland Chase.

The post Global Immigration Update – Monday 15th May 2017 appeared first on Newland Chase.

What has changed?

The new decree makes the following amendments:

• Angolan companies may now hire foreign professionals for the provision of services or technical assistance
• The duration of the employment agreement may now be freely agreed between the employer and the employee, and may be renewed only twice
• The amount and currency of a foreign national employee’s salary may once again be freely agreed between the employer and the employee, and may be paid in any currency, rather than exclusively in Kwanzas
• Benefits and allowances are no longer limited to 50% of the employee’s base salary

Our advice

Employers hiring foreign nationals to work in Angola should check the latest employment regulations with your Newland Chase specialist.

For advice and information on Angolan immigration in general, please email us at enquiries@newlandchase.com.

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