Latest coronavirus updates
AMER
Brazil: International border closure extended until June 30, 2020.
Contact, Roberta Carnaccini, Global Operations Director, Immigration, for more info.
Peru:
- National Emergency State extended until June 30, 2020.
- Border closures remain in place.
- The compulsory social immobilization of all people in their homes (curfew) is 9 p.m. to 4 a.m. every day. The following exceptions apply, in which compulsory social immobilization is 6 p.m. to 4 a.m. every day: in Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad, Loreto, Ucayali and Ica regions; and in Santa, Huarmey and Casma provinces in Ancash region.
Contact, Roberta Carnaccini, Global Operations Director, Immigration, for more info.
U.S.:
- Travel restrictions at the northern and southern borders of continental U.S. (i.e. tourists are restricted from traveling to the U.S. from Canada or Mexico until June 22, 2020). More info at: Reuters
- Local immigration offices to re-open on or after June 4, 2020. More info at: S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
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 Roberta Carnaccini, Global Operations Director, Immigration.
APAC
Philippines:
- The National Capital Region including Manila is under general community quarantine from June 1 until June 15, 2020.
- Securing Aliens Employment Permits (AEPs): The Department of Labor and employment (DOLE) Regional Offices may implement their own internal guidelines on the acceptance of permit applications (new/renewal) and licenses, subject to the 45-day grace period.
- All applicants must secure an online appointment via the Bureau of Immigration (BI) Only those with an appointment code will be served at the date/time of their appointment.
- Commercial domestic flights will be allowed between GCQ areas. International airport gateways will include Clark Pampanga, Cebu and Davao, which will be equipped with testing laboratories. Note: There is still no update on international travel restrictions.
Contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
South Korea:
- Ministry of Justice (MOJ) temporarily suspends re-entry permit exemption.
- From June 1:
- All long-term residents with Alien Registration Cards (ARC), who intend to depart and re-enter South Korea, are required to visit an immigration office (including airport and port offices) to apply for a re-entry permit prior to departure. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of Alien Registration.
- Registered Aliens seeking re-entry after departure are required to undergo a medical examination for COVID-19 48 hours prior to departure. Those who do not present the required documentation will be denied entry.
- The medical certificate must be prepared in Korean or English, and be issued by an authorized medical institute and signed by a medical examiner. It must include the date of examination.
Contact Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
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 Debra Jane Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager (APAC).
EMEA
South Africa: South Africa moves from level four to level three. More info at: News24
Switzerland:
- As of June 8, 2020:
- All applications for a residence or cross-border commuter permit for EU/EFTA nationals will be processed again.
- The same applies for all online notifications of commencement of work for local employment (up to 90 days) and all cross-border service provisions (for a maximum duration of 90 days per year).
- The cantons will start treating work permit applications for non-EU/EFTA nationals again. Approvals will be granted if the work assignment is in the public interest (e.g. necessity for the national economic supply), or if a company urgently requires the skilled labor from an economic perspective and the work cannot be postponed or performed abroad.
- The authorities will take the necessary steps to reopen borders between Austria, France, Germany and Switzerland from June 15, 2020. All travel restrictions to and from these countries will be abolished from this date and the free movement of persons between these countries fully re-established.
- From June 6, 2020, private and public events of up to 300 people will be allowed.
- Gathering in public is now allowed in line with precautionary measures.
- The Federal Council will downgrade the situation status under the terms of the Epidemics Act from “extraordinary” to “special” on June 19, 2020.
Contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
U.K.:
- Quarantine for travelers:
- Travelers arriving to the U.K. from June 8, 2020, must undergo self-isolation for 14 days after arrival. These rules apply for visitors and residents.
- Travelers will be required to complete a form providing their journey and contact details, including the address where they will quarantine.
- Individuals who refuse to complete the form will face a £100 fine. Anyone failing to comply with the mandatory quarantine will face a fine of up to £1,000 or further action against them.
- Quarantine will be reviewed every three weeks; meaning the earliest it will be dropped or adjusted is June 29, 2020.
- Visa extension:
- Foreign nationals in the U.K. whose visa expires between January 24 and July 31, 2020, will be extended until July 31 automatically.
- Switching to other routes:
- Foreigners wishing to stay in the U.K. long term can switch to a different immigration category while in the U.K. Those whose leave has already been extended to July 31, 2020, can also apply.
- Visa application centers:
- Some centers in the U.K. will reopen for existing customers from June 1, 2020. Applicants who have already made an appointment will be contacted. Applications to remain in the U.K. can still be submitted before the expiry date of the current visa to preserve the individual’s immigration status in the U.K.
- Tier 2 work authorization applications:
- Individuals who applied for Tier 2 work visas can start work for their employer before their visa application has been decided.
- If the application is eventually rejected as invalid or refused, the employer must terminate the employment immediately.
- Settlement applications (non-EU):
- Those applying for settlement in the U.K. must provide evidence of passing a Life in the U.K. test and proficiency in English language at a required level.
- Applications for settlement can still be submitted.
- EU Settlement Scheme applications:
- It is now possible to submit identity documents by post where applicants are not able to use the “EU Exit: ID Document Check” app. This is required to proceed further with the application. Note: There are delays in processing these applications.
- Employers holding sponsor licenses:
- Sponsors are not required to notify the immigration authorities that the sponsored workers are now working from home rather than their normal workplace. Such notification of change in location would normally be required. Other changes must still be reported as usual.
- Visa applicants outside the U.K.:
- Some visa application centers worldwide are resuming services where local restrictions allow. Due to ongoing global restrictions, some services will remain closed. Where services are resuming, existing customers will be contacted.
- Applicants with 30 days entry permit vignette: individuals with short-term vignette allowing them to enter the U.K., which has expired, can request a replacement with revised validity dates free of charge. This concession will last until the end of 2020.
More info at: Gov.uk
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 Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
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