Global Immigration Update

Americas

Panama: New immigration scheme benefits multinational companies in manufacturing industry

The Special Regime for the Establishment and Operation of Multinational Companies will introduce a new immigration law as of December 1, 2020. This will provide tax and labor benefits, new visa categories for foreign national employees, and shorter processing times for companies from the same economic group to settle in Panama.

There will be two visa categories for temporary and permanent workers of manufacturing (EMMA) companies, in which the temporary can be used for providing operational or training services and the permanent will be for executives to cover administrative or executive functions.

Also, a training center must be established to ensure foreign national employees pass their skills to Panamanian workers. Permanent residence will be eligible to foreign nationals and their dependents after working in any EMMA company for five years.

Peru: Additional coronavirus measures

State of emergency extended until October 31, 2020. Compulsory social immobilization (curfew) of all people nationwide will run from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m.

Asia-Pacific

China: Chinese Work Permit holders can re-enter China2019 AmCham Shanghai HR Conference

All holders of valid Residence Permits under work, personal matters and reunion can now re-enter China without applying for a separate entry visa.

Residence Permits that have expired after March 28, 2020, may be presented at the China visa center to apply for re-entry, providing the purpose of stay has not changed. Note: Study-type Residence Permits are not covered under the current announcement.

This summary was prepared using information obtained from the National Immigration Administration.

Thailand: Board of Investment work permit and visa submission changes

The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) and Employment authorities have recently announced changes to the BOI Single Window System submission process, and government fees related to work permit renewal and amendment applications.

BOI Single Window System

BOI work permit and long-term visa renewal applications can be submitted in the Single Window System 90 days in advance of expiration. Foreign national employees must appear at the One Stop Service Center (OSSC) to complete the final step within 60 days of approval being granted (but not beyond expiration of the current work permit or long-term visa).

BOI permits the employer to submit the application in the Single Window System while the employee resides outside Thailand. The company and employees must comply with the following conditions:

• When submitting renewal applications, returned flight bookings, and required documents must be submitted into the Single Window System.
• Upon arrival, copies of the passport containing the arrival stamp page and departure card must be submitted into the Single Window System.
• Foreign national employees’ passport documents no longer require signatures. This applies to all immigration processes including new and renewal applications. A clear copy of the passport pages will be sufficient for submission in the Single Window System. However, Thai employees that appear on the BIO Training Chart (normally required for renewal applications) must sign the chart before submission into the system.

Japan: Travel restrictions lifted

Student and dependent residence status holders are now incrementally permitted to enter Japan. This includes cross-border business travelers from all countries and regions. Residence will need to be hosted by a company that can assure quarantine measures are followed. 

Europe, Middle East and Africa

Ireland: Further automatic renewal of immigration permissions

The Irish government is automatically renewing all immigration permissions due to expire between September 20, 2020, and January 20, 2021, to January 20, 2021.

Due to the uncertainties caused by the pandemic, foreign nationals with near to expired immigration permissions will be able to remain in Ireland legally until January 20, 2021. The permission renewal is on the same basis as the existing permission and the same conditions apply.

This is the fifth and (expected to be) final extension of permissions implemented since the outset of the pandemic and the longest granted.

All renewals in the Dublin area are now being processed online only. Registrations outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau through the Garda Station network. An in-person appointment is required.

This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Department of Justice and Equality.

South Africa: List of countries allowed to travel to South Africa

• Negative Covid-19 tests (no older than 72 hours) must be presented by all travelers arriving at the three main airports (King Shaka in Durban, OR Tambo in Johannesburg and Cape Town International) from the time of departure and hold travel insurance. Without a valid negative test result, the individual will be placed in mandatory quarantine at their own cost.
• Travelers will be required to install the COVID Alert South Africa mobile app and undergo a screening process.
• Foreign nationals from the following countries are banned from entry: Albania, Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Ecuador, France, Georgia, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Hungary, Iceland, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Jamaica, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Maldives, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, Montenegro, Nepal, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Oman, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, Suriname, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, and Venezuela.
• Travel from all African countries is allowed.
• All foreign nationals currently in South Africa on an expired visa due to lockdown measures or holding a visa due to expire will be granted an automatic extension up until January 31, 2020.

This summary was prepared using information obtain from the Department of Home Affairs.

Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact VISA LOUNGE Global Immigration using the web contact form.