United Arab Emirates: Consular process to be required for some employment visa applicants
Employment visa (entry permit) applicants from certain countries will soon have to process their immigration applications through designated UAE consular service centres in their home country before entering the UAE, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MOHRE).
Kenya: Online platform pilot launched for some immigration applications
The Department of Immigration in Kenya has launched a new online platform – called the Electronic Foreign Nationals Service (eFNS) - for work, family and student immigration applications. The eFNS will be rolled out on a pilot basis for some services and is likely to be mandatory for immigration applications in the near future.
The new platform follows the recent introduction of the eVisa system, which has streamlined visa processing and in part replaced the visa-on-arrival system.
Netherlands: Legalization rules relaxed
On or after January 1, 2016, legalization by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs will no longer be required in order for Dutch authorities to accept supporting immigration application documents issued in certain countries, according to a recent policy amendment.
Documents issued in one of the following countries will no longer require legalization at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs: