United Kingdom: Preparing for a new immigration system
On May 18, 2020, the Immigration Bill was voted through the House of Commons in its second reading. The Bill represents an important milestone in seeing an end to the European Union’s rules on free movement. It will lay the foundation for a new system that will treat EU and non-EU citizens equally, and transform the way all migrants come to the U.K. for work. It will now go on to receive further scrutiny.
Impact
Despite the current crisis, the Brexit transition period will end on December 31, 2020. European nationals entering the U.K. for work from January 1, 2021, are subject to immigration permission and require a Tier 2 visa. U.K. businesses wanting to employ European nationals require a sponsor licence issued by the Home Office.
Looking ahead
Businesses should consider taking the following steps now in order to ease some of the pressure in the run up to the end of the transition period:
- U.K. businesses that do not currently hold a sponsor licence are urged to apply for one.
- U.K. businesses that hold a sponsor licence should review the status and ensure the information held by the Home Office is up to date. This should include adding or updating any European entities on the licence (with a view to facilitating Intra Company Transfers from within the EU).
This summary was prepared using information obtained from Gov.uk and Parliament.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).
Latest Coronavirus news:
APAC
India: The government extends lockdown until May 31, 2020, with existing travel restrictions. More info at: Government of India
Thailand: Temporary ban on all international flights to Thailand is extended until June 30, 2020. More info at: The Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand
Vietnam: The Immigration Department extends visa waiver programs, e-visas and tourism visas until June 30, 2020. More info at: Vietnam News
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
Austria:
- Border controls in place at all international land borders. As of June 15, 2020, full freedom of movement will be possible at the German and Swiss borders.
- Immigration authorities have partly re-opened:
- Scheduled appointments are obligatory and approved residence permits are delivered via regular mail. Applications for extension, change of purpose and EU registration can be submitted via email.
- Entry by air is not permitted from the following countries until June 15, 2020, earliest: Belarus, China, France, Iran, Netherlands, Russia, Spain, Ukraine and the U.K.
- Entry by rail from Italy is not permitted until June 15, 2020, but traffic from Switzerland and Lichtenstein is now permitted.
- Appointments at the Austrian Embassy: some Consular Posts have reopened. It is advised to check on a case-by-case basis whether a Consular Post has re-opened.
Contact Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager, for more info.
Greece:
- Individuals arriving will be tested for Covid and must undergo self-quarantine for 14 days (extended until May 31, 2020).
- Flights between Greece and Italy, Spain, Netherlands and the U.K. are not permitted
- Flights between Greece and Albania, Northern Macedonia and Turkey are not permitted until June 14, 2020.
- As of June 15, 2020, flights from countries with good pandemic criteria will be permitted at Athens Airport.
- As of July 1, 2020, direct flights from countries with good pandemic, i.e. countries with low infection rates, criteria will be permitted at all airports. Note: list of countries with good pandemic criteria still to be announced.
- Non-EU nationals are banned from entry until June 15, 2020. Family members of Greek or EU nationals residing in Greece, diplomats, cross-border and healthcare workers, and people transporting goods are exempt from the ban.
Contact Laxmi Vikraman, 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 Laxmi Vikraman, Regional Immigration Manager (EMEA).
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