The Dubai Health Authority stated, as of June 30, 2016, employers in Dubai will be required to provide health insurance for all of their employees. Employees must be covered by an acceptable insurance plan provided by a pre-approved health insurance provider, and employers will be required to provide proof of such coverage.
Malysia: Employers must submit 2016 Employment Pass projections
Employers registered with the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) and the Multimedia Development Corporation Sdn. Bhd. (MDeC) should submit their Employment Pass (EP) projections for 2016 as soon as possible, for both initial and renewal EP applications.
Employers should note that:
- There may be processing delays due to holiday closures and the expected high volume of projection applications.
- All approved projection numbers granted in 2015 will no longer be valid in 2016, even if there are unused numbers left.
Turkey: Delays continue on dependents’ online residence permit appointment system
Foreign nationals in Istanbul attempting to book initial residence permit appointments for their dependents on the Istanbul Migration Directorate website are continuing to face delays.
Currently, dependents filing initial residence permit applications should expect a three-month processing delay and appointments for application submission are not available until the end of January.
There is not an expected resolution date for the online delays.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
Foreign nationals in Istanbul attempting to book initial residence permit appointments for their dependents are advised to apply far in advance of the principal applicant’s start date and to expect delays on the online system.
Work permit approvals delayed in Turkey
Many foreign nationals submitting work permit applications during the past month have experienced significant delays.
The delays are expected to be resolved in November after the upcoming election. However, if the election results in a party change, there may be further delays due to the anticipated appointment of new immigration managers.
Additional requirements to obtain temporary residency card extensions in Ireland
Due to prolonged employment permit processing times at the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation, more foreign workers must now apply for a temporary extension of their Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) residency card while their renewal permit is processing. The GNIB has now also introduced additional evidentiary requirements to obtain this temporary extension.
Previously, foreign workers could obtain a temporary GNIB residency card extension by providing a dated copy of the employment permit application as proof of a pending renewal application.
Effective immediately, a receipt of payment to the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is now also required to obtain a temporary GNIB residency card. This new requirement prolongs the GNIB residency card application process by at least a week, and could leave the foreign worker out of status if they wait to renew their employment permit close to the expiry of the permit.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Foreign workers should apply for employment permit extensions as early as possible to avoid being out of status, and should ensure to apply for a temporary extension of their GNIB card before expiration.
Employers are advised to register for Trusted Partner status to avail of the much shorter employment permit processing time (currently three weeks).
Australian border staff strike to delay travel and visa processing services
A strike by Immigration and Border Protection staff scheduled for September 16–18 and 21-23, is likely to delay immigration clearance at entry ports and visa processing service centres.
Travellers should check the Department on Immigration and Border Protection website for updates regarding the strike.
What This Means for Foreign Nationals
International travellers are advised to arrive at their travel ports early and proceed straight to immigration and customs clearance after checking in.
Significant visa, work & residence permit processing delays in Germany
While the German government deploys resources to aid increasing numbers of asylum seekers, foreign nationals with pending immigration appointments, pending applications filed with immigration offices, pending family reunion visas and work visa applications that require immigration office approval in Germany may experience delays up to several weeks.
Visa-exempt nationals, such as those from Australia, Israel and the United States, who can apply for a work and residence permit in Germany without an entry visa, should consider applying abroad for an entry work visa, which can be converted into a work permit after arrival in Germany. This way, the foreign national will not need to attend an appointment immediately upon arrival in Germany and will be able to work immediately upon arrival.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers and foreign nationals should account for significant processing and appointment delays in Germany, which could delay start dates and travel plans.
Courtesy of Fragomen.
Comptroller General of Immigration suspension to delay visa and permit processing in Nigeria
Due to the suspension of the Comptroller General of Immigration on August 21, 2015 by the Ministry of Interior, foreign nationals awaiting temporary work permit approvals and seeking consular services at Nigerian consular posts abroad may experience delays. Additionally, due to reports of unauthorized visa issuance, business and visitor visa applicants from restricted areas, such as areas in the Middle East, will likely be subject to heightened scrutiny during the application process, which may also cause visa processing delays.
The Federal Government has appointed the most Senior Deputy Comptroller General of Immigration on an interim basis.
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
Employers and foreign nationals should note that there may be visa and permit processing delays at Nigerian consular posts around the world. Foreign nationals seeking visas and permits to Nigeria should file their applications early to avoid additional delays.
Courtesy of Fragomen.