What's new in global
immigration?

17 March 2022

This week, the Global Immigration team at Smith Stone Walters would like to highlight the following recent updates from Ireland, Singapore and Indonesia.

Ireland: Changes for non-EEA nationals

New Residence Permit Card

From Tuesday 1 March 2022, a new version of the Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card is being introduced for all non-EEA nationals who are registered to live, work or study in Ireland. The new IRP card, which complies with updated EU common format specifications, includes the cardholder’s signature as well as additional security features.

The old version of the IRP cards will remain valid until the expiry date that is printed on the card or until 31 May 2022, whichever is the later. The date of 31 May 2022 is in line with the temporary extension of immigration permissions announced by the Minister during COVID-19.

Changes for Non-EEA Doctors

The Department of Justice is creating a new stamp category called Stamp 1H for doctors in HSE and HSE funded agencies (that is, the Section 38s/voluntary hospitals) and private hospitals. This includes those who have recently received a 2-year multi-site General Employment Permit. Spouses of these doctors who currently have a Stamp that does not allow them to engage in employment will be able to apply for a Stamp 1G as part of this new system, which will give them unlimited work rights. Doctors who complete 2 years’ service under Stamp 1H will then become eligible for a Stamp 4 support letter. A Stamp 4 offers the right to work without preconditions.

For doctors in HSE and HSE funded agencies (that is, the Section 38s/voluntary hospitals) and private hospitals on a General Employment Permit, but not a 2-year multi-site General Employment Permit, arrangements will be made to allow them to transition to a Stamp 1H in the coming months. Those who had already completed 24 months’ service in Ireland will be entitled to apply for a Stamp 4 support letter. It is estimated that up to 1,800 doctors are in this cohort. Their spouses will become eligible for Stamp 1G, allowing labour market access once the Stamp 4 is granted to the doctor.

The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment will soon open an application process, from mid-March until the end of April only, for these doctors to apply for a Stamp 4 support letter. Once assessed the information will be electronically shared with the Department of Justice, who will then issue the Stamp 4, with a target date of completion by end May.

Doctors will in future only need to renew their permission annually instead of every 6 months.

Singapore: Employment Pass (EP) changes

Qualifying Salary Increase

From 1 September 2022, Employment Pass (EP) holders must meet a higher qualifying salary. Effective 1 September 2022 for new applications (or 1 September 2023 for renewals):

  • The EP qualifying monthly salary will increase from SGD 4500 to SGD 5000 (from SGD 8400 to SGDS 10,500 for candidates in mid-40s or older).
  • For those in the financial services sector, the EP qualifying monthly salary will increase from SGD 5000 to SGD 5500 (from SGD 9300 to SGDS 11,500 for candidates in mid-40s or older).
  • The S Pass qualifying monthly salary will increase from SGD 2500 to SGD 3000 (increase up to SGD 4500 for candidates in mid-40s or older).
  • For those in the financial services sector, the S Pass qualifying monthly salary will increase from SGD 3000 to SGD 3500 (increase up to SGD 5500 for candidates in mid-40s or older).

New Application Framework

Also from 1 September 2023, Employment Pass (EP) candidates must pass a points-based Complementary Assessment Framework (COMPASS) in addition to meeting the qualifying salary. COMPASS evaluates EP applications based on four foundational criteria, against which applications earn points if they meet (10 points) or exceed (20 points) expectations:

  • Salary relative to local Professionals, Managers, Executives and Technicians (PMET) salary norms for the sector
  • Candidate’s qualifications
  • Candidate’s impact on the diversity of the firm
  • Firm’s support for local employment, based on local PMET share relative to industry peers.

Applications can also earn additional points on bonus criteria if they meet the relevant qualifying conditions. These criteria recognise applications that bring in skills in shortage and support strategic economic priorities, thus creating good jobs for Singaporeans.

40 points are required to pass COMPASS:

  • Applications that meet expectations (earn 10 points) on all 4 foundational criteria will pass.
  • Otherwise, applications can make up the required points by exceeding expectations on another or by scoring bonus points.

COMPASS will apply to new applications from 1 September 2023, and to renewals from 1 September 2024. Candidates are exempted from COMPASS if they fulfil any of these conditions:

  • Earning at least $20,000 fixed monthly salary (similar to the prevailing Fair Consideration Framework job advertising exemption).
  • Applying as an overseas intra-corporate transferee under the World Trade Organisation’s General Agreement on Trade in Services or an applicable Free Trade Agreement that Singapore is party to. OR
  • Filling a role on a short-term basis, i.e., 1 month or less.

Indonesia: Visa on arrival

Effective 7 March 2022, visa on arrival is available at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali). Visa on arrival is available for citizens of the following countries:

  • Australia
  • Brunei Darussalam
  • Cambodia
  • Canada
  • France
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Japan
  • Laos
  • Malaysia
  • Myanmar
  • Netherlands
  • New Zealand
  • Philippines
  • Qatar
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Thailand
  • Turkey
  • United Arab Emirates
  • United Kingdom
  • United States
  • Vietnam

The visa on arrivals costs Rp. 500.000 and is valid for 30 days. It can be extended once, for 30 days, at a local Immigration Office in Indonesia, but it cannot be converted into another type of stay permit.

The traveller’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry. While it is only possible to enter the country with a Visa on Arrival through I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport (Bali), the visitor can exit Indonesia through other airports. The 30-day visa exemption is still suspended until further notice.

For those who are not eligible for a visa on arrival, their Indonesian sponsor must submit an eVisa application through the website of the Directorate General of Immigration – Jakarta. Tourist visa applications must be submitted by an Indonesian visa/travel agent or hotel.

An eVisa will be issued for the following purposes:

  • Visit Visa (B211) for 60 days, extendable up to 4 times for 30 days each time, for the purpose of:
    • Tourism
    • Emergency and essential work
    • Business meeting
    • Purchase of goods
    • Medical, food and humanitarian work
    • Crew member joining a vessel
    • Probationary period for foreign workers
    • Journalism/making a movie
  • Temporary Stay Visa for 12 months for work or non-work activity (can be converted into a Temporary Residence Permit (KITAS).

eVisa holders are permitted to enter via certain air and sea ports only.

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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