US - U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to Continue Processing Applications for Employment Authorization Extension Requests

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services today announced that it will reuse previously submitted biometrics in order to process valid Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, extension requests due to the temporary closure of Application Support Centers (ASC) to the public in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. 

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Republic of China (Taiwan) - Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program Starts to Encourage Overstaying Foreign Citizens to Turn Themselves in

With the spread of coronavirus-19(COVID-19) worldwide and the discovery of case 32 confirmed COVID-19 patient to be an undocumented migrant worker, it has been a topic of wide discussion on whether overstaying population causes vulnerability to Taiwan’s disease control. 

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The New Zealand Government’s epidemic management notice relating to immigration matters comes into effect on Thursday 2 April 2020.

Holders of a work, student, or visitor visa with an expiry date of 1 April 2020 or earlier and who are unable to leave New Zealand must apply online for a new visa. An interim visa will be issued. 

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UK - Visas extended for those currently unable to return home due to COVID-19

Visa nationals who cannot return home due to the COVID-19 pandemic will be able to extend their visa.

The extension, announced today (24 March) by the Home Secretary Priti Patel, will apply to anyone whose leave expired after the 24 January and who cannot leave the country because of travel restrictions or self-isolation.

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The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) releases ‘one stop shop’ for essential tax and super info on COVID-19 stimulus measures

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has today updated its website with essential information about tax and superannuation changes that have now become law following the passage of the Government’s Economic Support Package through the Parliament. 

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Hong Kong to ban non-resident arrivals for 14 days starting from March 25

The Government today announced that it will ban non-Hong Kong residents coming from overseas countries or territories arriving at the airport from entering Hong Kong for 14 days starting from March 25.

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The New Zealand Government has further strengthened travel restrictions, closing border to almost all travellers from 23:59 on Thursday 19 March 2020 (NZDT)

New Zealand citizens, permanent residents, residents with valid travel conditions and their immediate family (partner or spouse, legal guardian and dependent children under the age of 24) can still come to New Zealand. 

Immediate family must have a valid visa or NZeTA and travel with the New Zealand citizen or resident family member on the same flight to New Zealand. 

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Philippines - Foreign nationals, balikbayans, OFWs, may now depart PH during community quarantine period

Bureau of Immigration (BI) officials have announced the lifting of the 72- hour travel period for departing overseas Filipino workers (OFWs), balikbayan, and foreign nationals.

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Taiwan - Migrant workers who travel outside Taiwan will be temporarily barred from returning until the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic subsides

Migrant workers who travel outside Taiwan will be temporarily barred from returning until the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic subsides, Vice Labor Minister Lin San-quei (林三貴) said Tuesday.

The temporary entry ban is part of the government's latest preventative measures against the spread of COVID-19 and was announced at the daily Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) press conference.

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India - Advisory: Travel And Visa Restrictions Related To Covid-19

In addition to the Visa restrictions already in place, the following travel restriction shall also come into effect from 1200 GMT on March 18, 2020:

All passengers coming from European Union (Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden), European Free Trade Association (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland), Turkey and United Kingdom have been prohibited from entering India from any of the Land/Air/Seaport ICPs. 

This restriction shall come into effect from 1200 hrs GMT on March 18, 2020 at the port of first departure, and shall remain till March 31, 2020 and is a temporary measure.

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Singapore - Advisory for employers on employees’ non-essential travel in response to updated travel advisory (COVID-19)

In view of the evolving COVID-19 (Coronavirus Disease 2019) situation, the Ministry of Health (MOH) announced on 15 March 2020 that the public is advised to defer all non-essential travel to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 infection while overseas. 

The public is advised to review their travel plans as travellers would be subject to the prevailing measures imposed by their destination countries, and those imposed by Singapore upon their return.

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Singapore - Advisory for employers and employees travelling to and from affected areas (more countries added) in response to increase in cases of COVID-19

Actions to be taken by employers who wish to bring their foreign employees who have transited at or travelled to the affected areas into Singapore

These areas refer to:

• Mainland China (outside Hubei)
• South Korea
• Iran
• Italy
• France
• Spain
• Germany
• ASEAN countries (Malaysia (only applies to air travel), Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Myanmar, Philippines, Thailand or Vietnam)
• Japan
• United Kingdom
• Switzerland

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Washington - Department of Homeland Security Outlines New Process for Americans Returning from Certain European Countries, China, and Iran

Effective for flights taking off at 11:59 PM EDT on Friday, March 13^th, Americans returning from all restricted countries will now be required to travel through the 13 airports.

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Singapore - Actions to be taken by employers with foreign employees who have transited at or travelled to Mainland China, South Korea, Iran, Italy, France, Spain, Germany arriving in Singapore after 15 March 2020, 2359 hrs.

Actions to be taken by employers who wish to bring their foreign employees who have transited at or travelled to the affected areas into Singapore

These areas refer to:

• Mainland China (outside Hubei)
• South Korea
• Iran
• Italy
• France
• Spain
• Germany

If your foreign employees have transited at or travelled to any of the areas above within the last 14 days and are arriving in Singapore after 15 March 2020, 2359 hrs.

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HKSAR - Department of Health (DH) to further strengthen health quarantine arrangements on inbound travellers from overseas

Following the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) Government's announcement March 10 on the Red Outbound Travel Alert issued on the whole of Italy, France (Bourgogne-Franche-Comte and Grand Est), Germany (North Rhine-Westphalia), Japan (Hokkaido) and Spain (La Rioja, Madrid and Pais Vasco) in response to the latest situations of COVID-19, the Department of Health (DH) will also strengthen health quarantine arrangements on inbound travellers arriving from these countries/regions.

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South Korea - Government to Prioritize Disease Prevention

1st Vice Minister of Economy and Finance held a Meeting on Macroeconomic Stability and Financial Markets to discuss ways to respond to the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on the financial market.

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Washington - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Improve Integrity of Visa Program for Foreign Workers

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that it will take necessary anti-fraud and abuse measures to protect the integrity of the H-2B visa program and also make available 35,000 supplemental H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for the second half of fiscal year (FY) 2020. 

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Katy Perry - Never Worn White (Official)

I have Never Worn White, but I wanna get it right. Cause you really wanna say "I do".

UK - Landmark Immigration Bill to end free movement introduced to Parliament

The bill will end free movement and give the government full control of UK borders for the first time in four decades.

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Singapore - From 1 May 2020, the minimum qualifying salary for an Employment Pass will be raised from $3,600 to $3,900 for new applications.

From 1 May 2020, the minimum qualifying salary will be raised from $3,600 to $3,900 for new applications. The salary criteria for older, more experienced candidates will also be raised in tandem. The new salary criteria will apply to renewal applications from 1 May 2021.

READ THE ELIGIBILITY HERE

Singapore - MOM Entry Approval and Stay-Home Notices Extended to More Countries

With effect from 4 March 2020, 2359 hours, MOM will require all work pass holders (including dependants) with travel history to South Korea, northern Italy, or Iran within the last 14 days and planning to enter/return to Singapore, to obtain MOM’s approval before they commence their journey. 

This is regardless of the nationality of the work pass holder. The entry approval requirement applies to:  

a. Existing work pass holders currently out of Singapore; and
b. In-Principle Approval holders who have yet to enter Singapore.

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South Korea - Ministry of Justice (MOJ) enforces Automatic Extension of Stay for Registered Aliens to Prevent Community Spread of COVID-19.

The Ministry of Justice announced that the Period of Stay of some 136,000 Registered Aliens and Overseas Korean (F-4) residents will be collectively extended to April 30, 2020 as part of its effort to contain the community spread of COVID-19.

READ THE PDF REPORT HERE