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

Relaxed labour market test rules.

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

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

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

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

Free access to the labour market for selected countries.

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

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

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

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

• Long term visa/residence permit requirements still apply.

• Local registration requirements still apply.

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

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

Newland Chase insight.

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

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

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

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Companies operating in Singapore are reminded that this update will be implemented on July 1, 2024. In anticipation of this update, it is prudent to take the necessary actions:

1. Review the salaries of the current local employee population.
2. Ensure timely declaration of local employees’ salaries and CPF contributions. The company’s quota is determined by a three-month average of your local employees’ CPF data

Companies failing to meet quota requirements will be unable to lodge any new or renewal applications for Work Permits and S Passes. Work Permits and S Passes in excess of the quota will have to be cancelled.

Original update, February 26, 2024

In its 2024 budget statement, Singapore revealed that a rise in the Local Qualifying Salary (LQS) from SGD 1,400 to SGD 1,600 per month is forthcoming. With effect from July 1, 2024, the adjustment affects the calculation of a firm’s Work Permit and S Pass quota entitlement.

Under the updated guidelines, which are expected to take effect on 1 July 2024, any Singaporean or Permanent Resident employed under a contract of service including company directors, will be calculated as: 

• 1 local worker if their monthly earnings reach or exceed SGD 1,600. 
• 0.5 local worker if their monthly earnings are at least SGD 800 but less than SGD 1,600. 

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

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

The post SINGAPORE – Local Qualifying Salary Increase  appeared first on Newland Chase.

In an effort to streamline work and student permit processes, the Swedish Migration Agency has introduced a pilot scheme to allow nationals from 23 countries to complete the passport verification requirement using an application on their mobile phone or computer instead of attending in person to a Swedish Embassy or Consulate. Eligible applicants include nationals from Albania, Argentina, Australia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Georgia, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Peru, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, UK, Ukraine, and the USA.

It is anticipated that eligible applicants will receive an email from the Swedish Migration Agency within a few days of submission of the work or student permit application. The email will contain a link to the online service to complete the verification process online.

The introduction of the online verification will hopefully allow faster processing of applications and will be more cost effective to applicants. However, with many new online services, there may be some potential issues during the initial implementation phase.

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

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

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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. 

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The Ministry of Manpower of Singapore announced that foreign nationals applying for a new work pass or renewal of work pass will no longer be mandated to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This change takes effect from March 1, 2024.

While the vaccination is not mandatory for obtaining a pass in Singapore, the authorities still encourage foreign nationals to get vaccinated to curb the transmission of illness.

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

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

The post SINGAPORE – Removal of COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement appeared first on Newland Chase.

On 28 January 2024, Thailand and China bilaterally agreed on a ‘Free Permanent Visa for 30 days’ policy. This agreement took effect from 1 March 2024, which exempts visa stamping requirements for their citizens holding ordinary and semi-official passport holders traveling into each other’s jurisdictions.  

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

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

The post CHINA – Visa Free Agreement with Singapore and Thailand appeared first on Newland Chase.

The new minimum monthly salary requirements will also apply to those existing EP holders whose pass expires from 1 January 2026.  

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

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

The post SINGAPORE – Increase in Qualifying Salary for EP Applications appeared first on Newland Chase.

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.

The government of China is removing the requirement for in-person appointments when applying for a visa to visit the country. This policy change is being implemented at the embassy/consulate level, with offices in each country adjusting their requirements individually.

As of 20 October, consulates in the following countries have confirmed changes in the in-person appointment policy:

• Australia: Appointments will still be required.
• European Union and United Kingdom: Staggered removal of in-person requirements over the next four weeks, with most consulates no longer requiring appointments after 23 October.
• Hong Kong: Appointments no longer required.
• Singapore: Appointments no longer required.
• United States: Requirements differ by office;
  • Washington DC: Appointments no longer required.
  • New York City: Appointments no longer required.
  • Los Angeles: Appointments are still required.
  • Chicago: Appointments are still required.
  • San Francisco: Appointments will be used into 2024.

This is a developing situation, and we will provide updates as they become available. Earlier this month, China eased the requirements covering reporting on previous travel and the applicant’s education level in visa applications. The changes all seem aimed at making the visa application process simpler, in an effort to boost foreign tourism to China. While domestic travel within China is now exceeding pre-COVID-19 levels, foreign travel to China is still lagging far behind pre-pandemic levels.

Newland Chase Insights

Please follow this blog and our social media channels for more updates on China entry requirements or contact us with specific questions.

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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