New Zealand: Skills Shortage Lists
The skills shortage lists have been reviewed with minor changes being made to the following:
- Long Term Skills Shortage List (LTSSL)
- Construction and Infrastructure Skills Shortage List (CISSL)
Plans are also underway to introduce new Regional Skills Shortage Lists (RSSL) replacing the Immediate Skills Shortage List.
RSSL and CISSL will be modified for New Zealand’s 15 regions.
Impact
Employers hiring foreign nationals for roles that appear on a skills shortage list will not be required to meet the labor market testing requirements for the visa application.
Looking ahead
These changes may offer more opportunities to hire foreign nationals in areas outside of the main city.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from New Zealand Immigration.
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 Beynon, Regional Immigration Manager, APAC.
Switzerland: Free Movement of Persons Agreement applies to Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
The Swiss Federal Council has agreed to remove the restrictions that impose quotas on residence permits for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals.
Impact
As of June 1, 2019, Romanian and Bulgarian nationals will benefit from the same conditions as other EU nationals (except Croatian nationals), based on the Free Movement of Persons Agreement.
Looking ahead
EU nationals who have a local Swiss employment contract do not require work permit approval to work in Switzerland. Only registration at the local residence office is required.
Croatian nationals are still subject to quotas and require a labor market test in order to work in Switzerland. These requirements are likely to be in place until December 31, 2021.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Swiss Federal Council (in German).
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.
South Africa: Restricted Work Authorizations for Short-Term Visitors’ Visas 11(2)
The Acting Deputy Director General of the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has issued an Immigration Directive introducing a cap on the number of Visitors’ Visas 11(2)s granted, restricting foreign nationals to a 180-day short-term work allowance within a calendar year. Section 11(2) is a popular route used to conduct short-term work activities in South Africa for three months. In-country renewals are permissible for a further maximum period of three months (90 days), permitting total work stays of up to six months.
Impact
Companies whose frequent travelers (e.g. graduate trainees) who do not qualify under other categories (Intra-Company Transfer, Critical Skills and General) should anticipate challenges with the implementation of the cap.
Looking ahead
Visitors’ Visa 11(2) cannot be used to carry out ongoing/continuous work in the country. Frequent travelers who need to conduct work activities for longer than six months should formally be transferred to positions within the South African entity. They must apply for appropriate work visas.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from the Department of Home Affairs, Republic of South Africa.
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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