Effective 1 July 2019, the Department of Immigration Services (DIS) has issued a directive requiring all work permit renewal applications to include individual and company Tax Compliance Certificates (TCCs).
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]]>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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes, we can provide travel document services to the region, including providing visas.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There is no way to tell, though we will work to provide information and travel document service for the duration of the conflict.
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.
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]]>The post CANADA – Countries Added to eTA Program appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>The new countries added to the eTA program are:
Travelers from these countries who have either held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or who currently hold a valid United States non-immigrant visa can now apply for an eTA instead of a visa when travelling to Canada by air. Effective June, 6, eligible travelers from these countries can benefit from the program.
This will make it faster, easier, and more affordable for thousands of travelers from different nations to visit Canada for up to six (6) months for either business or leisure. This will also aid in the growth of Canada’s economy by facilitating more travel, tourism and international business. The Canadian government also expects a reduction in visa caseload, allowing for increased efficiency for the processing of visa application, benefiting visa applicants worldwide.
Individuals who already have a valid visa can continue to use it to travel to Canada. Those who are not eligible for an eTA, or who are travelling to Canada by means other than air (e.g. car, bus, train, boat – including by cruise shop) will still need a visitor visa.
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.
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]]>The post ITALY: Quotas for 2023 Announced appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>Most available quotas are only available to nationals of the following countries, which have signed specific cooperation agreements on migration with Italy: Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Guatemala, India, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kosovo, Mali, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Republic of North Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, and Ukraine.
In addition, some quotas are reserved for nationals of countries which will enter into agreements on cooperation on migration during the year 2023, while others have no such nationality restriction.
The quotas for 2023 are:
Applications for permits pursuant to the “decreto flussi” for 2023 can be filed from 27 March onwards until the 31 December 2023, provided quotas are still available. 60 days after the quotas open up the authorities can decide to change the subdivision of these quotas if permit demands require this.
Frequently used permits for highly skilled or highly qualified employees, like the EU ICT permit, the non- quota work permit for intra company transferees and the EU Blue Card, as well as the permit for foreign service providers are not subject to the above-mentioned quotas.
Companies which do not qualify for non-quota work permits for their employees should file their applications for work permits for 2023 under the quota system as soon as possible after the 27th of March – not only to ensure that permits are still available, but also because Italian immigration processes generally take a long time to complete. Newland Chase is able to assist you with both applications under the quota system as well as with non-quota applications.
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]]>The post Travel and Mobility Strategies to Successfully Manage the Unexpected appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>Global mobility managers and travel managers are encouraged to carefully evaluate the following suggestions to successfully steer their immigration program through the choppy waters of global travel during the COVID-19 era.
Travel bubbles or corridors are mutual agreements or unilateral concessions, allowing travelers from specified countries or regions to more easily enter and exit. Entry restrictions or quarantine/testing requirements may be eased on the basis of each country’s coronavirus infection rate per 100,000 population and sometimes other factors. Permitted travel may be limited to tourism or business, repatriation or temporary work.
It may be possible to take advantage of travel bubbles or corridors to facilitate travel; for example, by having a traveler or assignee spend time en route in a country which has a mutual arrangement with the final destination country, in order to avoid quarantine or entry restrictions on arrival.
However, as such mutual arrangements tend to change at short notice as the infection rates in the country of origin and destination fluctuate, using travel bubbles or corridors in this way can be a risk; there is no guarantee that the bubble will not burst before the onward travel leg can be started.
Some examples of travel bubbles or corridors: include
As regional bubbles and corridors develop, and as lockdowns and restrictions become more localized, it may be prudent to think more long term and to stage key employees regionally or at key locations to take advantage of these travel bubbles and facilitate business travel, plus to avoid disruption caused by local lockdowns.
For example, consider locating employees in the regions where you need them in Australia (due to Australia’s local lockdowns), or consider moving employees from the US long term to the EU rather than trying to support multiple US-EU business trips.
Case Study:
A US-based company frequently needs to send multiple employees from the US to various EU member states to provide after-sales support to their clients. This has proven very difficult due to COVID-19 travel restrictions in Europe. Fortunately, the company has an entity in the Netherlands, and has decided to base two engineers there full time to take advantage of facilitated intra-EU travel.
However, it should be noted that travelers entering or returning to the Netherlands from certain countries or regions, including within the EU, are subject to a ten-day self-quarantine.
It is important to remember that several countries now have additional coronavirus-related exit and re-entry requirements, for both their own nationals and foreign residents.
Some examples are:
Australia
Malaysia
United Arab Emirates
The nature of “work” has changed. Digital nomads and younger generations want flexibility and, due to the pandemic, working from home is now a reality for many more of us.
However, immigration legislation has always lagged behind this trend– until recently. Countries are now getting creative to attract talent and allow workers to take advantage of new technology.
Estonia has recently launched a Digital Nomad Visa specifically designed for remote workers; Barbados and Bermuda have done likewise. Several other countries have already have freelance visa routes which can be used for more flexible working (e.g. Germany, Czech Republic, Norway, Portugal).
Working from one location while contracted for employment in another country carries plenty of complexities and risks, including tax and social security considerations, so it is not wise to rush into arrangements like this, however appealing they may seem for your employees. However, it is interesting to note that legislation has started to adapt to meet the needs of the modern workforce. If your company is interested in discussing these changes and how they could affect your plans, please make contact with Newland Chase; we would love to hear from you.
We received several questions regarding how to get up-to-date and accurate knowledge surrounding visa application holds and processing times. Our new Informed Traveler Service provides each traveler a customized, start-to-finish holistic view of his or her trip, what to expect at each step of the way, and an update 48-hours before departure to alert you to any changes. Contact your dedicated Newland Chase or CIBTvisas representative to learn how we can help ensure that you meet your organization’s duty of care obligations as you send employees overseas.
It is important to consider implementing these strategies for your business at this time. In summary think about travel bubbles, think about basing employees regionally for increased stability, remember exit requirements, and think about how your voice can be heard as immigration legislation continues to change.
We welcome the opportunity to partner with you to evaluate these strategies for your organization. Contact your dedicated Newland Chase or CIBTvisas representative to receive expert guidance. Don’t have one yet? Contact us here.
Watch our webinar focused on strategies that Global Mobility Managers and Travel Managers can utilize to surf the waves of the continually changing immigration and global entry landscape. Newland Chase leaders Sophy King and Jason Rogers will examine how to successfully steer your immigration program through the choppy waters of global travel during the COVID-19 era. Watch now.
We’re here to help with all global immigration actions. Contact us to schedule a consultation to learn how we can support your business during and after the COVID-19 pandemic and keep up-to-date with the latest COVID-19 travel and immigration updates on our dedicated online resource – COVID-19: Latest Travel and Immigration Disruption
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]]>The post EU Publishes Recommended “Travel Safe List” for Residents of 15 Countries appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>Please contact Newland Chase for help navigating the current travel restrictions and exemptions.
View our comprehensive COVID-19 Travel and Immigration Guide, which gathers together the knowledge and data we have on entry restrictions, immigration restrictions (office closures, visa suspensions, etc.) and immigration concessions, worldwide. Updated twice daily as new information is released.
As the immigration landscape rapidly shifts throughout the world, multinational companies have struggled to manage both their domestic workforce and global mobility programs. Watch our on-demand webinar examining the new challenges employers now face from President’s Trump Proclamation on 22 June 2020 and the anticipated upcoming travel bans from the European Union. Immigration experts Jason Rogers from Newland Chase and Ian Macdonald and Courtney Noce from Greenberg Traurig analyze the latest impacts these developments will have on both U.S. and global immigration programs.
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]]>The post Global Immigration Weekly Roundup – 8 July 2019 appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>The post MOROCCO: Dependent Children Must Obtain Residence Permits appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>The post MOROCCO: Fewer Intra-Company Transfers Qualify for Exemption from Labour Market Testing appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>The post Global Immigration Update – Monday 12th June 2017 appeared first on Newland Chase.
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]]>The post MOROCCO: New Online Work Permit Application Platform appeared first on Newland Chase.
]]>All application forms must now be completed online. A tracking number is provided and notifications of approval, rejection or completion are sent by email.
The processing time for work permit approvals has already been reduced to two to three weeks, although this may change in the coming weeks.
Applications still have to be submitted manually at Ministry of Labour with original forms and all required documents.
Application forms still need to be signed and legalised in Morocco (or authenticated by public notary and apostilled abroad).
Employers in Morocco should be sure to use the new online application-filling system to prepare work permit applications.
For advice and information on Moroccan immigration, please email us at enquiries@newlandchase.com.
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