Global immigration
news round up
11 June 2020
In the rapidly changing landscape of global immigration, there have been a number of recent developments that could impact employers looking to relocate staff to global offices.
With this in mind, Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following key updates surrounding global immigration.
Malaysia: Screening and quarantining enforced for foreign arrivals
From June 1 2020, foreign nationals holding a valid permit such as an Employment Pass or Professional Visit Pass will be permitted to enter Malaysia.
However, an approval letter will need to be applied for at the respective Malaysian Mission by completing a Letter of Undertaking and Indemnity, at least three days before the date of travel.
The Letter of Undertaking and Indemnity states that the individual will bear the costs of the mandatory quarantine.
Upon arrival in Malaysia, foreign nationals will be screened for COVID-19 and will then be required to quarantine for 14 days. Foreigners will be required to bear the full costs, whereas Malaysian nationals will only be required to pay half of the costs. These additional fees will need to be considered by any employers planning to move staff back to Malaysia in the near future.
USA: Premium processing to resume for certain Petitions
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will resume premium processing for short-term visas and employment in the near future, although the exact date is yet to be confirmed.
Premium processing was suspended on 20 March due to COVID-19 restrictions and since then open application routes have been limited to the standard option only.
Petitioners who had already filed an application using the premium processing service before the 20 March suspension, but received no action and a refund, may now refile their forms.
When premium services do resume, it may well trigger a rush of applications, therefore employers should be aware of possible delays.
Europe: Travel restrictions easing at EU internal borders
EU counties continue to relax internal border restrictions with more regions now beginning to open shared borders. Concurrently, the region is seeing an increase in health and some entry requirements to control the spread of COVID-19.
However, most EU countries are maintaining an essential travel only approach, with non-essential journeys and tourism still being discouraged.
Entry requirements for work reasons within the EU include, but are not limited to:
- ‘Essential Workers’ only are permitted to enter
- Cross-border workers
- Those with proof of employment in the destination country
Most notably, France now allows all EU posted workers to enter, which is a significant step towards the full opening of French borders.
Let us help you reach your global immigration goals
At Smith Stone Walters, moving people across borders is our business. Our team of immigration experts manage and support immigration moves throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
If you need advice or support in reaching your business’s global immigration goals, Smith Stone Walters would be delighted to help. Contact us today to discuss your requirements – we are immigration experts.
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