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IMPACT – MEDIUM
What is the change? APEC business cards issued after Sept. 1 will be valid for five years or until the card holder’s passport expires, whichever is shorter. Currently, APEC business cards are valid for a maximum of three years.
What does the change mean? Nationals of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation member countries will be able to obtain five-year, multiple-entry, short-stay APEC business cards, provided that they have sufficient time remaining on their passports.
Background: The APEC business card was designed to streamline travel requirements for nationals of participating countries.
The travel cards were first issued in 1997 to nationals of Australia, the Philippines and South Korea. Other countries subsequently joined the scheme, and the card is now available to nationals of Australia, Brunei, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand and Vietnam. The U.S. and Canada are considered transitional members, which allows cardholders to use “fast-track” lanes at major international airports. Cardholders still must provide valid passports or visas in the U.S. and Canada if required by U.S. or Canadian law.
APEC’s 21 participating countries agreed earlier this year to extend the APEC business card validity to five years. The APEC Business Mobility Group issued a formal announcement on the extension last week.
BAL Analysis: Five-year APEC business cards will facilitate travel and trade for the more than 190,000 APEC business card holders worldwide.
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.
What is the change? The Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, expected to begin around July 17, will close offices and delay processing of applications in many countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
What does the change mean? Private and public sector offices will close for one to 10 days depending on the individual country. Applicants should expect delays in processing of visas and work permits.
Background: Eid al-Fitr (Festival of the Breaking of the Fast) marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is usually celebrated with three or more days of festivities. The holiday is also known as Bayram in Turkey, Hari Raya Puasa in Southeast Asia, and Korité or Tabaski in West Africa.
Some countries, including the United Arab Emirates, will wait to announce their holiday schedules closer to the end of the lunar month. Others have set the following public holiday schedules:
Brunei – July 17-21. Indonesia – July 16-21. Malaysia – July 17-18. Additionally, some public offices will close on July 16 and 20, and limited staffing is expected during the week of July 20. Pakistan – July 17-19. The Philippines – July 17. Qatar – July 15-25. Work resumes Sunday, July 26. Saudi Arabia – Public sector holiday July 12-21; private sector July 15-21. Singapore – July 17.
BAL Analysis: Companies may contact their BAL representative for individual country and consular schedules.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has announced plans to expand air preclearance for travelers from nine countries: Belgium, the Dominican Republic, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, Turkey and the United Kingdom.
Preclearance allows U.S. Customs and Border Protection to inspect passengers at a foreign airport before they embark on a plane. While CBP has said it is an important terrorism-prevention measure, travelers can benefit from avoiding long lines upon arrival in the U.S.
“Preclearance is a win-win for the traveling public,” DHS Secretary Jeh Johnson said in a statement May 29. “It provides aviation and homeland security, and it reduces wait times upon arrival at the busiest U.S. airports.”
The U.S. is expected to begin negotiations with the nine countries. Preclearance is already available at 15 airports in six countries, including Aruba, the Bahamas (Freeport and Nassau), Bermuda, Canada (Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto, Vancouver and Winnipeg), Ireland (Dublin and Shannon), and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi). According to the CBP, more than 16 million passengers went through preclearance last year.
What is the change? The Islamic month of Ramadan will begin around June 18, and related observances will significantly shorten business hours and slow processing in many countries during the lunar month.
What does the change mean? Companies and foreign nationals applying for visas and work permits in countries that observe Ramadan should plan to file time-sensitive applications as early as possible to avoid delays.
Background: Countries across the Muslim world will observe Ramadan beginning around June 18 and ending around July 17, immediately followed by the Eid holiday of three to five days. Dates can vary from location to location depending on whether a country sets the date in advance or waits until a new moon is sighted to declare the beginning of the month.
Many government offices have shorter hours of operation during Ramadan. Some countries may also reduce Friday business hours to half-day schedules unless they already observe a Friday-Saturday weekend.
BAL Analysis: Businesses are urged to plan ahead to minimize any negative impact on business schedules.
Authorities in Australia, Canada and Singapore have all warned in recent weeks of scams targeting immigrants in their countries.
The recent warnings highlight a global trend of attempts to trick immigrants out of their money or provide them with fraudulent services.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission said on April 23 that it had received 150 reports of fraudsters impersonating government officials by threatening visa holders and citizens with deportation before demanding fees of around AU$1,000. The ACCC reported that since February, more than AU$35,000 has been lost.
“Anyone who receives (a) call seeking payment should ignore the demands for payment and hang up,” said ACCC Deputy Chair Delia Rickard. “Scammers may try to pressure you by repeatedly calling and harassing you – but if you give your money to a scammer you will never see it again.”
Citizenship and Immigration Canada warned on March 11 of a pattern of fraudulent phone calls, stressing that CIC “does not contact individuals for the purpose of collecting fines or personal information to avoid deportation and NEVER asks the public to make a payment over the telephone.” More recently, the Abbotsford Police Department, in British Columbia, warned of a scam where a caller demanded that a man turn over CA$4,280 within seven hours or face deportation.
In Singapore, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on April 22 that it had received reports that “callers impersonating as MFA officers have called members of the public to request that they verify their personal particulars and to pay a penalty for issues related to their immigration white card.” The MFA urged people to file police reports immediately if they receive such calls.
Immigration scams seem to know no national boundaries. Germany, France, Ireland, New Zealand, the U.K. and the U.S. are among the plethora of other countries where scams have been reported since 2013. In the U.S., employers have, in the past, reported scams targeting employees on H-1B visas. Other scammers have posed as Internal Revenue Service officials demanding payments.
New York (this month) and Los Angeles (in December) are among the U.S. cities to have launched programs to target immigration scams. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services created the Unauthorized Practice of Immigration Law Initiative to help root out scams, and the agency provides information online that outlines the “top things to know” before and after filing applications and petitions, a list of common immigration scams and state-by-state information on how to report scams.
BAL Analysis: Scams targeting immigrants have become common in recent years. Most government agencies stress that officials will not make threats of deportation or ask for money over the telephone. Targets and victims of immigration scams are encouraged to contact law enforcement authorities. BAL will continue to monitor reports of scams and update clients accordingly.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network providers. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? The Canadian and British embassies in Egypt have halted public services due to unspecified security concerns.
What does the change mean? Until further notice, both Canada and the United Kingdom have suspended all activities, including visa applications and document services.
Background: On Dec. 7, the British Embassy in Cairo announced that it would temporarily close and suspend services. The next day, the Canadian Embassy followed, citing security concerns. The British Embassy said it is taking steps to improve the physical security of the building before it reopens and has asked the public not to visit the building until further notice. Officials said that new visa applications are not being accepted and that individuals with pending applications should expect delays in getting their passports back. Applicants who have already been notified that their passports are ready to be picked up can do so at the Visa Application Center, but it is only open for accepting inquiries and returning passports.
The closure of these two embassies could prompt other Western countries to close their embassies. The U.S. Embassy remains open, but it posted a security message to U.S. citizens Dec. 4, reminding them to be alert to their surroundings and recommending that embassy staff “carefully scrutinize their personal movements and consider staying close to their residences and neighborhoods over the coming period.”
BAL Analysis: If the closures are prolonged, visa applicants will face long delays or have to apply outside Egypt. The British Embassy is advising those applying for Visit Visas that they may apply at any other country that has a Visa Application Center and is recommending that those applying for other visa types apply in Jordan or the United Arab Emirates.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group in the United Kingdom. For additional information, please contact uk@bal.com.
What are the changes? Many government offices close for a number of holidays across the world at the end of the year and in early 2015. Christmas and New Year’s Day will close most government agencies for one or more days on and around Dec. 25 and Jan. 1.
What does the change mean? Companies applying for work permits and other services should file applications early to avoid the seasonal rush.
Background: Almost all countries have holidays scheduled for Dec. 25, 2014, and Jan. 1, 2015. Many countries will also reduce business hours in the days surrounding Christmas and New Year’s and close completely on Dec. 26 and Jan. 2. Most Islamic countries will also close Jan. 3 to observe Eid Mawlid al-Nabi, Prophet’s Birthday.
Some countries may close for extended periods in the coming months. Russia observes a New Year’s holiday Jan. 1- 5 and Orthodox Christmas Jan. 7. China does not mark Dec. 25 as an official public holiday, but will close Jan. 1 for New Year’s Day and the week of Feb. 19-26 to celebrate the lunar Chinese New Year.
BAL Analysis: Companies should anticipate slower processing of visas, residence permits and work permits until offices reopen in early January. Employers should be cognizant of these closures and plan to file immigration-related applications as soon as possible.
The deadly Ebola outbreak in West Africa has prompted countries across the globe to respond with measures ranging from stepped-up health screening at airports to all-out travel bans. Most countries are leaving Ebola-related restrictions in place, at least for now, even after two African countries with reported cases were recently declared Ebola free.
The World Health Organization recently reported that Ebola outbreaks had ended in Nigeria and Senegal. But Ebola continues to “increase exponentially” in Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, according to the WHO. Isolated Ebola cases have been reported outside of West Africa, including that of a New York City doctor reportedly infected after returning from treating patients in Guinea. All told, the WHO reports that there have been 9,936 Ebola cases and 4,877 deaths since the outbreak began.
A number of African countries responded to the outbreak by barring entry to travelers from Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone and, on occasion, other countries they feared may be hit with the virus. Clusters of countries in the Middle East, Latin America and the Caribbean have also instituted travel bans.
European countries have mostly avoided travel bans, but flights to and from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone have been limited. A number of European countries have also imposed increased health screening at airports. The screening often involves checking travelers’ temperatures and isolating those who are demonstrating Ebola-like symptoms.
In the U.S., the Obama administration has resisted mounting calls for a travel ban, but announced this week that all travelers flying from Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone would be routed through five airports equipped with enhanced Ebola screening. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention next week will begin requiring travelers from the three countries to report their temperatures and any other symptoms on a daily basis for a three-week period after coming or returning to the U.S.
In light of a handful of reported Ebola cases in the U.S., earlier this week, Rwanda announced that it would perform special screening of travelers from the U.S. and Spain (another country with isolated cases). However, the policy was withdrawn almost immediately. Rwanda’s minister of health, Agnes Binagwaho, said on Twitter Wednesday that Rwanda was “removing special screening” for travelers from the U.S. and Spain and said the decision was “solely mine and not endorsed by the Government of Rwanda.”
The Ebola outbreak has prompted varying immigration and travel-related responses that can – and have – changed at a moment’s notice. Travelers headed to or from West African countries – Guinea, Liberia and Sierra Leone in particular – should familiarize themselves with applicable rules and restrictions and plan accordingly. Delays should be expected.
North America & Caribbean
South America
Europe
Middle East
Africa
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Australia & New Zealand
What is the change? All companies in the oil industry are required to complete and submit an annual program contract and a human resources development plan, each showing steps being taken toward Angolanization of their workforce, by Oct. 31.
What does the change mean? Companies that do not meet the program contract are subject to fines, and companies that do not follow the procedures will not be able to request work visas.
Background: The Training Decree Law, enacted in 2009, mandates that oil companies under a program contract with the Ministry of Petroleum must file a human resources development plan every year. Companies in the oil industry must complete their registration with the Ministry of Petroleum and sign a program contract that is updated annually to meet quota requirements for foreign workers. The human resources development plan must be submitted on official forms and set out a company’s recruitment and training goals for foreign nationals and Angolan workers as well as the goals to hire more Angolan workers in the coming year.
BAL Analysis: Companies in the oil industry should work with their BAL attorney to complete their plan by the deadline.
This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in Angola. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.
What is the change? Offices will close this week as countries with significant Muslim populations observe the Eid al-Adha holiday.
Background: Eid al-Adha, or “Feast of the Sacrifice,” is a Muslim holiday celebrating the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. It also commemorates the willingness of Abraham (Ibrahim) to sacrifice his son Ismail in an act of obedience to God (Allah).
Closures for Eid al-Adha vary by country.
The United Arab Emirates announced the holiday will run Friday, Oct. 3 through Monday, Oct. 6, with public offices closed on Sunday, Oct. 5 and Monday, Oct. 6. Qatar announced that the government would observe the holiday from Thursday, Oct. 2 until Sunday, Oct. 12, subject to possible change. A number countries in Asia including Brunei, Malaysia and Singapore (where the holiday is also called Hari Raya Haji) previously announced government closures on Monday, Oct. 6. India’s Foreigners Regional Registration Offices in Mumbai and Delhi announced that it would be closed Thursday, Oct. 2 through Monday, Oct. 6.
BAL Analysis: Some countries’ closures are set shortly before the holiday and may change even after dates of closures are announced. Companies and foreign employees should check with their BAL attorney for local schedules that could impact urgent filings. The holiday also impacts private-sector offices, but often for shorter periods. Companies or foreign nationals in need of urgent immigration-related services should submit applications immediately to avoid delays.