What's new in global
immigration?

1 April 2021

With global immigration rules and guidance changing by the day, it is important for businesses and individuals to keep on top of the latest developments to identify any changes that may impact your immigration goals.

With this in mind, Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following key updates in global immigration.

UAE: The world’s first Cultural Visa

On Tuesday the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority announced that they are refining the plan aimed at attracting and increasing the contribution of the cultural sector to the UAE.

The initiative, which was first announced in 2019, will aim to target artists and creators from across the world, offering a 10 year residency visa to creative individuals.

At present, a total of 261 cultural visas out of the estimated 1000 applications are in the pipeline. The long-term cultural visa targets accomplished creative talent in an array of fields including, but not limited to; literature, culture, performing arts, design and history.

Depending on your creative field you will be expected to meet certain additional requirements. However for all applications, in order to be eligible the applicant will need to evidence at least five out of the following criteria:

• Career should not be for less than 10 years
• That they are capable of presenting a distinct artistic production in their field of specialty, nationally or internationally
• The applicant must demonstrate that in the past three years he/she has contributed to their field
• They have contributed to raising the level of the creative economy
• They possess advanced technical capabilities that would have been documented by models of production in the field of specialisation
• The applicant has been recognised by critics, the media, government or private institutions over the past three years

New Zealand: Pathway Student Visa on hold

Due to the closure of New Zealand’s border, Immigration New Zealand have decided to delay the permanent introduction of the Pathway Student Visa.

The Pathway Student Visa (PSV) was first presented as a pilot programme back in 2015 to allow international students to uptake up to three study programmes at more than one eligible education provider on a single visa.

The idea was to implement this visa route in 2021, however due to eligibility requirements for the PSV, the government have announced that this cannot be a permanent category until sometime after the borders have re-opened.

This means that current providers who are part of the PSV programme can continue supporting applications for students in New Zealand, and those under a border exception. However for the time being, there is no intention to add new education providers to the scheme as the visa freeze is in place until at least May 2021.

Nepal: Latest travel update

Following criticism about unnecessary hassle for tourists travelling to Nepal, the government has announced relaxed entry requirements for foreign tourists arriving by air.

Over a year ago, the government stopped granting on-arrival visas for tourists, however these visas have recently been reinstated. Tourists will need to submit the following compulsory documents at the airlines check in counter:

• A recommendation letter issued by Nepal Tourism Board
• Proof of hotel booking
• Travel insurance covering emergency treatment throughout their travel in Nepal.

Visitors will no longer need to stay in mandatory hotel quarantine for five days, as long as they can show a negative test result before boarding their flight, and again test negative once arriving in Nepal.

Tourists will be required to submit a negative polymerase chain reaction test report within 72 hours before departure of the country of origin. Once in Nepal, they will need to conduct further tests and isolate in a hotel until the test results arrive. If results are negative, they can continue with entry.

Need help to reach your global immigration goals?

If you have questions about global immigration issues, or if you need support in reaching your global mobility goals, we are here to help.

At Smith Stone Walters, moving people across borders is our business. Our expert team are experienced in managing and supporting immigration moves throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

Contact us today to discuss your requirements – we are immigration experts.

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