What’s new in global immigration?

This week, the SSW Global Immigration team would like to highlight the following updates from Taiwan, Saudi Arabia and Poland.

Taiwan: Visa-free entry, simplified visa regulations extended

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced last week that it would extend visa-free entry for an additional year for citizens of Brunei, the Philippines, Russia and Thailand.

Key points:

• Visa-free entry will be extended for nationals of Brunei, the Philippines, Russia and Thailand for tourism purposes until 31 July 2022.
• The Project for Simplifying Visa Regulations for High-end Group Tourists from Southeast Asia Countries will be extended until 31 December 2022. Tourist groups of five or more who are travelling with an approved travel agency from Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam will continue to be allowed to use electronic visas to enter the country.
• The extension will not alter current COVID-19 travel bans. Foreign tourists remain barred from entering the country until at least 26 July.

Saudi Arabia: Covid-19 Validity of specific visas extended

The Saudi Press Agency recently announced that the validity of residency permits, exit and re-entry visas and visitor visas would be extended until the end of August.

Key points:

• Residency permits and exit and re-entry visas for foreign nationals who are stranded abroad will be automatically extended until 31 August.
• Visitor visas for foreign nationals living in a country from which travel to Saudi Arabia is suspended will be automatically extended until 31 August.
• Foreign nationals who hold any of the aforementioned visas do not need to apply for the extension. Saudi Arabian officials have already started renewing the visas without charging holders an additional fee.

Poland: Business Harbor Programme expanded

The Polish government recently announced that the Business Harbor Programme would be open to more nationalities. The programme provides simplified visa procedures and the ability to work without a work permit for applicants from certain countries.

• Citizens from Armenia, Belarus, Georgia, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine can now apply for a visa under the Business Harbor Programme.
• To qualify for the programme, applicants must have the following documents:
  • A completed and signed national visa application.
  • A current biometric photo and a passport that was issued within 10 years and will be valid for three months from the intended return date.
  • Medical insurance for the duration of the visa.
  • A document confirming sponsorship by a Polish company (if the applicant is a freelancer). Belarusian nationals can substitute this document with proof of technical education or at least one year of experience in the IT industry.
  • A document confirming qualifications for the Poland Prize programme (for individuals who are setting up a startup).
  • A document confirming qualifications for the Polish Investment and Trade Agency programme (for individuals running an established business).

Global immigration support

If you have any worldwide immigration queries, please contact the SSW global immigration team. We are able to provide full support with the visa application process and also post–arrival assistance.

With the help of our global network, we are well equipped to navigate international law and assist with the processing of your visa, whilst ensuring that local immigration rules are met thereafter.