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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What are the changes? The Christmas and New Year’s holidays will close many government and private offices around the world for at least two days, with many countries observing longer holiday periods at the end of the year and the beginning of 2016.
What does the change mean? Employers should file as early as possible for visas, work permits and other services to avoid delays during the holiday closures.
Background: Most countries will observe Dec. 25, 2015, and Jan. 1, 2016, and many countries will also reduce business hours in the days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Some countries may close for extended periods in the coming months. Russia observes a New Year holiday and Orthodox Christmas Jan. 1-10, with offices reopening Jan. 11. China does not mark Dec. 25 as an official public holiday, but will close Jan. 1-3 for the New Year’s holiday and Feb. 7-13 for the Chinese lunar New Year. South Africa will close offices for varying periods between Dec. 22 and Jan. 11. Mexico’s immigration services will be closed for three weeks Dec. 18 – Jan. 6.
BAL Analysis: Companies should anticipate slower processing for visas, residence permits and work permits from now until offices reopen in early January and they should plan to file immigration-related applications as soon as possible.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
Copyright © 2016 Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. All rights reserved. Reprinting or digital redistribution to the public is permitted only with the express written permission of Berry Appleman & Leiden LLP. For inquiries please contact copyright@bal.com.
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