Global immigration
news round up
1 July 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.
USA: Extension of flexibilities for Form I-9 compliance
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has announced yet another extension of the flexibilities in rules related to Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9) compliance granted earlier this year.
The US Department of Homeland Security announced that it will defer the physical presence requirements associated with reviewing Form I-9 documents for employers and workplaces operating remotely only.
Such flexibility has been in place since 19 March 2020 and will now run until 19 July 2020, unless further extensions are made.
It means the Department of Homeland security will not necessarily prosecute those employers who defer their physical presence obligations as so required by form I-9.
The policy applies to those employers who have a workforce that is working remotely in its entirety. Furthermore, they must be doing so as a result of Coronavirus. With this being a possible trip hazard, employers must consider carefully whether this exception applies to them.
Russia: Coronavirus checks for Russian visa applicants
From 27 June, Russia will now require new arrivals to undergo a medical examination to demonstrate they are not suffering from Coronavirus before being granted entry.
Failure to provide a negative test can result in both cancellation of existing documents and refusal when applying for a new document.
The documents included under this measure are:
- Work permits
- Work patents
- Temporary residence permits
- Permanent residence permits
The requirement does not apply to those foreign nationals employed as highly qualified specialists. Employers are advised to ensure that the relevant test is not only taken but performed by an authorised body.
Czech Republic: New traffic light system introduced
As of 15 June 2020, the Czech Republic is operating a new ‘traffic light’ system to control how it admits individuals travelling from the European Union. Those entering from the rest of the world still remain banned from entry unless an exemption applies.
Under the system, EU countries are split into one of three categories based on their risk level and the state of the pandemic in that particular country. Travellers arriving in the Czech Republic will be subject to different entry conditions depending on the category of the country they are arriving from.
Green countries are classed as safe countries, orange countries have a medium risk of infection and red countries have a high risk of infection. The list of countries will be updated at weekly intervals, and can be viewed here.
The new system affords some individuals an exemption from certain entry conditions such as a requirement to test negative for coronavirus and quarantine rules. Foreigners arriving to the Czech Republic will have to present a test when travelling from amber and red countries.
There are of course additional entry conditions to take into consideration on top of this new requirement, such as the need for temporary or permanent residence permits to stay in the Czech Republic for longer than 90 days.
Individuals should take note of the current entry requirements and plan accordingly before travelling.
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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