What's new in global
immigration?

5 January 2022

For our first Global Immigration news round-up of 2022, Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following updates from Ireland, Malaysia and the Netherlands.

Ireland: Residence documents for non-EEA family members

Non-EEA family members of UK nationals are entitled to apply for a new residence document under the Withdrawal Agreement if they resided in Ireland in accordance with EU law at the end of the transition period on 31 December 2020 and are in possession of a valid Stamp 4 EUFam card.

The Department of Justice had requested that applications for the replacement card be received by 31 December 2021. However, those who are eligible to apply and have not yet done so, will still be able to make an application after 31 December 2021, as the deadline to replace the card has been extended to 30 June 2022.

Applicants should visit the Department’s online registration renewal system. The Department will process online applications for all Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries, including those living outside Dublin.

Malaysia: VDR Reference Visas

Effective immediately, applicants of any approved Long-Term Malaysian Pass who require a visa to enter Malaysia must obtain a VDR (“Reference Visa”) at the Malaysian Embassy/High Commission in the country of residence before arrival.

  • Long-Term Passes include Employment Pass (EP), Professional Visit Pass (PVP), Dependant Pass (DP), Resident Pass-Talent (RPT), Long-Term Social Visit Pass (LTSVP).
  • The VDR must be applied for using the Approval Letter (among other documents) and will allow for the endorsement of the respective Long-Term Pass when in Malaysia.
  • The VDR can be applied either at the Malaysian Embassy/High Commission in the country of residence or online from any country except Malaysia, Singapore, Israel and North Korea. Processing takes from three to seven days.
  • Certain Commonwealth nationalities are exempt from the VDR requirement (Australia, Ireland, Singapore, UK).
  • The Journey Performed (JP) option will no longer be allowed (where certain nationalities could enter Malaysia without a VDR and apply for a visa post arrival before endorsing the Long-Term Pass).
  • Any Long-Term Pass Approval Letters that have been issued without indicating a Malaysian Embassy/High Commission in the country of residence, must now apply to amend the Approval Letter.
  • Failure to obtain a VDR before entry will result in the applicant being denied entry / “Not to Land” (NTL) and will be deported.

Netherlands: New minimum salary requirements for 2022

The Dutch authorities have published the minimum salary thresholds for 2022 for foreign nationals employed in the Netherlands, including Highly Skilled Migrants, Graduates and Blue Card holders.

These new minimum salary amounts will apply to all new applications and extensions submitted from 1 January 2022.

The new salary requirements are as follows:

  • The minimum monthly wage for applicants aged 30 years and older has been increased to 4,840 EUR
  • The minimum monthly wage for applicants under 30 years has been increased to 3,549 EUR
  • Foreign nationals who have graduated from a Dutch higher education institution and take up employment within one year after graduation must be paid at least 2,543 EUR.
  • Blue Card holders must be paid at least 5,670 EUR.

All salary levels are calculated on a monthly gross basis and does not include an 8% mandatory holiday allowance. Allowances and benefits may only count towards an applicant’s salary in limited circumstances.

Expert advice on global immigration

If you need support with any aspect of worldwide immigration, Smith Stone Walters is here to help.

To speak to a member of our Global Immigration team, please contact us today.

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