Global Immigration News
Round-Up
25 January 2022
This week, the SSW Global Immigration team would like to highlight the following updates from Australia, Italy and Romania.
Australia: WHM and Student visa updates
Effective 19 January 2022 until the end of the year, Working Holiday Makers (WHMs) working in any sector anywhere in Australia may continue to work for the same employer or organisation without requesting permission.
Furthermore, WHMs who arrive in Australia from 19 January 2022 to 19 April 2022 can apply for a refund of the Visa Application Charge (VAC) for their WHM visa. This will apply to WHMs who already have a visa, as well as those who are granted a new visa, and who travel to Australia within this timeframe. Eligible travellers will be able to apply for a refund of their VAC until 31 December 2022.
Finally, the government has extended the temporary removal of the limit on Student visa holders’ working hours across all sectors of the economy. This measure takes effect immediately for all ongoing students as well as new student arrivals who start a job prior to their course commencement, and will be reviewed in April 2022.
People travelling to Australia are required to make a declaration regarding their vaccination status and be able to provide acceptable proof. WHM visa holders must meet Australia’s vaccination requirements or have an approved travel exemption.
Italy: Work permits for non-EEA workers
The Italian government will grant up to 69,700 work permits to workers from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) in 2022. This includes:
- 42,000 for seasonal workers in the agricultural and tourism-hotel sectors.
- 27,700 for local hires of certain nationalities in specific industries.
- 2,000 for changes of status.
- 500 for self-employed workers.
- 200 for other categories.
Immigration for work purposes in Italy is based on a quota system, fixed annually by means of a Decree – the so-called “Decreto Flussi”. Exceptions from the cap exist for several categories of workers, such as intra-corporate transferees and EU Blue Card applicants.
Application forms for permit conversion and permits reserved for special categories of foreign national are available on a dedicated website and can be submitted from 9am on 27 January 2022. Seasonal work permit application forms are available on the same website and can be submitted from 9am on 1 February 2022.
Romania: New digital nomad visa
On 14 January 2022, the Romanian President approved a new law implementing a digital nomad visa.
The new immigration route permits eligible foreign nationals to live in Romania for six months (renewable) while working remotely for an employer established in another country.
Applicants must have been employed abroad or by a company registered abroad for at least three years and must be paid at least three times the national average gross monthly salary in Romania for the six months before the application and for the entire duration of the visa.
This currently means three times RON 6,095 = RON 18,285 (approx.) per month = USD 4,188.63 per month (subject to exchange rates).
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