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Get this news and more in the new episode of BAL’s podcast, the BAL Immigration Report, available on Apple, Spotify and Google Podcasts or on the BAL news site.
This alert has been provided by the BAL U.S. Practice Group.
Copyright ©2023 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.
The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr will close government offices and delay application processing in countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Embassies and consulates around the world will also be affected.
Key Points:
Additional Information: Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is often celebrated with three or more days of festivities. The holiday is also known as Ramazan Bayrami in Turkey, Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore, and Korité or Tabaski in West Africa.
BAL Analysis: Employers should anticipate delays because of the holiday and may need to adjust timelines and start dates. Companies may wish to contact their immigration provider for individual country and consular schedules.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group. For additional information, please contact berryapplemanleiden@bal.com.
Copyright © 2022 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.
IMPACT – MEDIUM
The Islamic holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin on or around April 2 and processing is expected to be delayed as government offices across the Middle East, North Africa and Asia have shorter working hours.
Additional Information: Ramadan is expected to begin April 2 but dates may vary depending on country-specific lunar sightings. Countries generally announce the first day of Ramadan closer to the beginning of the holy month when moon sighting predications are confirmed. Working hours vary from country to country; government offices generally close early.
BAL Analysis: Employers and employees are encouraged to plan ahead and file time-sensitive applications as soon as possible to avoid possible processing delays. Individuals should contact local authorities for more information on shorter working hours and closures. BAL will be monitoring government holiday announcements for Eid al-Fitr and will provide more information as it becomes available.
What is the change? The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, which will begin the week of May 11, will close offices and delay application processing times in countries across the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia as well as at consular missions around the world.
What does the change mean? Offices will close for one to 11 days, depending on the country. Applicants should expect delays in processing times for visas, work permits and similarly related items.
Background: Eid al-Fitr (Festival of Breaking the Fast) marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is celebrated with three or more days of festivities. The holiday is also known as Ramazan Bayrami in Turkey, Hari Raya Puasa in Singapore, and Korité or Tabaski in West Africa.
Some countries will announce their holiday schedules closer to the end of Ramadan. Others have tentatively set the following public holiday schedules as follows:
Analysis & Comments: Employers should anticipate delays because of the holiday and may need to adjust timelines and start dates, especially in countries, such as Saudi Arabia, with a prolonged holiday period. Companies may wish to contact their immigration provider for individual country and consular schedules.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2021. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
IMPACT – HIGH
What is the change? The government is requesting that everyone in Italy avoid all domestic and international travel in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
What does the change mean? Foreign nationals and Italian citizens must fill out and provide a declaration regarding the reason they are undertaking travel. Justifiable reasons include: (1) proven work, (2) necessity, (3) health or (4) return to home/domicile/place of residence.
Additional information: Italy currently has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Europe, and the government recently extended quarantine measures across the entire country. Those who ignore the new travel restriction or make a false declaration may be subject to criminal charges.
Analysis & Comments: Italy is taking dramatic steps to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus that will have a significant effect on immigration and travel within the country. Deloitte will alert clients to additional changes as information becomes available.
Source: Deloitte. Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited (“DTTL”), its global network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL (also referred to as “Deloitte Global”) and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL does not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more. Deloitte Legal means the legal practices of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited member firms or their affiliates that provide legal services. For legal, regulatory and other reasons, not all member firms provide legal services. This communication contains general information only, and none of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, its member firms or their related entities (collectively, the “Deloitte network”) is, by means of this communication, rendering professional advice or services. Before making any decision or taking any action that may affect your finances or your business, you should consult a qualified professional adviser. No entity in the Deloitte network shall be responsible for any loss whatsoever sustained by any person who relies on this communication. © 2020. For information, contact Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited.
BAL is again ranked as a top firm in the Global-wide category in the newly released Chambers Global Guide, an annual ranking of the best international law firms based on independent research and interviews with lawyers and clients worldwide. BAL has received top-tier ranking in the publication since 2014.
Chambers recognizes BAL as an “acclaimed group of immigration specialists, evoking praise for its deep experience in corporate global mobility.” Chambers states that BAL offers a broad spectrum of services from application support and immigration program management to strategic advice on compliance and government relations. The firm’s impressive client base benefits from its ever-expanding U.S. footprint and alliance with Deloitte, combining centralized global mobility advice with on-the-ground expertise in more than 135 countries. Chambers calls out BAL for its innovative case management technology, with the operation of its Cobalt® mobile app and artificial intelligence engines.
Chambers sources enthuse that BAL “[is] an excellent firm with a good caliber of partners across the board, many of whom have been in the market a long time.” One client explained: “The firm’s key strength is its large size, combined with its close attention to client needs.”
Many distinguished attorneys lead BAL, and Chambers’ notable practitioners include Founding Partner David Berry, based in San Francisco, and Managing Partner, Jeremy Fudge, in Dallas.
About Chambers Global Since 1990, Chambers has published an annual guide ranking the world’s best lawyers on the basis of technical expertise, business acumen, prompt delivery, and value for money. A team of over 200 researchers conducts thousands of interviews worldwide to produce the rankings. Lawyers cannot buy their way into Chambers rankings; as a result, its annual directories are considered among the most accurate and reliable.