Monday, February 28, 2022

New Zealand - Self-isolation requirements removed; Step 2 brought forward

The Government is removing the self-isolation requirements for vaccinated travellers to New Zealand and enabling Kiwis to come here from the rest of the world sooner, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins announced today 28 February. 

Taiwan to expand entry permission to professionals from March 7

Foreign professionals -- including executives of certain companies, teachers, athletes, and performers -- will be allowed entry to Taiwan when the country relaxes its border controls from March 7, the Ministry of Labor said in a statement 25 February Friday. 

Friday, February 25, 2022

Japan - New border measures (27) to review on restrictions on new entry of foreign nationals was announced on February 24, 2022

Currently, foreign nationals/people who are willing to enter Japan need a visa newly issued by Embassies or Consulates or Consular Office of Japan (for Taiwan, Taipei Kaohsiung offices of Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association) (hereinafter referred to as “Japan’s overseas establishments”) in the country/region depending on the purpose of their entry. 

Based on New Border Measures (27) from March 1, 2022, foreign nationals who apply for new entry into Japan to fulfill either of the following category (1) and (2) below, are regarded as those with “special exceptional circumstances” and are allowed for new entry into Japan in principle, if the receiving organizations located in Japan completes prescribed application in the Entrants, Returnees Follow-up System (ERFS). 


Thursday, February 24, 2022

Japan - Govt to start online system for obtaining visas for foreigners

The government plans to launch a special website by the end of the week that allows the submission of required forms online for foreigners newly entering the country. 

Wednesday, February 23, 2022

China to step up tax, fee cuts to support market entities

China will intensify tax and fee cuts with targeted measures in 2022 to bring benefits for market entities and bolster economic growth, according to the Finance Ministry on Feb 22. 

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

South Korea - Korea To Grant Visas To More Foreign Children To Guarantee Their Right To Education

Under the scheme, status of stay will be granted to not only foreign children who were born in Korea but also those who entered the country as infants or young children. 

Monday, February 21, 2022

Australia - From 21 February 2022, all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption

From 21 February 2022, all visa holders who are fully vaccinated for international travel purposes can travel to Australia without a travel exemption

Unvaccinated visa holders will still need to be in an exempt category or hold an individual travel exemption to enter Australia.  

Taiwan planning to open to business travelers from March

Taiwan is planning to allow the entry of business travelers, starting in March, and also to shorten the quarantine time for all arrivals, Minister of Health and Welfare Chen Shih-chung (陳時中) said 17 February Thursday. 

Thursday, February 17, 2022

Canada - Government of Canada lightens border measures as part of transition of the pandemic response

Recent data indicates that the latest wave of COVID-19 driven by the Omicron variant has passed its peak in Canada. As provinces and territories adjust their public health measures, and as we transition away from the crisis phase, it is now time to move towards a more sustainable approach to long-term management of COVID-19. 

Wednesday, February 16, 2022

Singapore - Launch of the Vaccinated Travel Lanes (VTLs) to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and deepen and extend VTLs with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines

With immediate effect, we will lift the 50% cap on the daily number of VTL travellers. In other words, we will be able to restore the VTL quotas to the original levels that were announced before the Omicron-related curtailments.

We will proceed with the launch of the VTLs to Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which were VTLs we had deferred earlier as part of the Omicron-related curtailments. 

Within ASEAN, we will deepen and extend VTLs with Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines.


Tuesday, February 15, 2022

New Zealand - Self-isolation rules for travellers to New Zealand released

  • Three layers of protection to minimise risk – PDT, vaccination and self-isolation
  • Rules to come into force in time for Step 1 of the border reopening
  • Self-isolation rules similar to those for domestic COVID-19 close contacts
  • Groups can apply to leave self-isolation to train or practice

Traveller requirements released 15 February mark another milestone towards the reopening of our international border, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins says. 

Friday, February 11, 2022

European Union - Commission proposes Chips Act to confront semiconductor shortages and strengthen Europe's technological leadership

The Commission proposes a comprehensive set of measures to ensure the EU's security of supply, resilience and technological leadership in semiconductor technologies and applications. 

The European Chips Act will bolster Europe's competitiveness, resilience and help achieve both the digital and green transition. 



Thursday, February 10, 2022

Sweden to lift ban on entry from EU/EEA countries

The Government decided to lift the entry ban to Sweden from the Nordic countries and other EU and EEA countries at an extraordinary government meeting 7 February. 

The decision will come into effect on 9 February. 

Wednesday, February 09, 2022

Canada - Launching a new online case status tracker for family class permanent residence applications

Canada needs immigration to drive our economy, help address labour shortages, and keep our communities thriving. 

The Government of Canada understands that to keep attracting talent as a destination of choice, we must remain committed to improving our client service and providing the best experience possible for people who see their future in Canada. 

Tuesday, February 08, 2022

Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, welcoming the return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February

Australia will reopen to all fully vaccinated visa holders, welcoming the return of tourists, business travellers, and other visitors from 21 February. 

These changes will ensure we protect the health of Australians, while we continue to secure our economic recovery.

Australia’s health system has demonstrated its resilience throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including though the recent Omicron wave. With improving health conditions, including a recent 23 per cent decline in hospitalisations due to COVID, the National Security Committee of Cabinet today agreed Australia is ready to further progress the staged reopening of our international border.

Monday, February 07, 2022

Philippines - All fully vaccinated aliens may be allowed to enter the Philippines starting February 10

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that it will be implementing the new policy from the government expanding the categories of aliens allowed to enter the country. 

In an advisory, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente stated that following the recent resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), all fully vaccinated aliens may be allowed to enter the Philippines starting February 10. 

Friday, February 04, 2022

New Zealand - Border to reopen in stages from 27 February

  • Border will reopen to vaccinated New Zealanders from Australia at 11.59pm 27 February
  • Reopens to New Zealanders in the rest of the world on 13 March
  • MIQ removed for most travellers in phased reconnection, replaced by self-isolation and tests on-arrival
  • MIQ to remain for the unvaccinated
  • Five- step plan prioritises returning New Zealanders and brings forward the reopening of key visa categories in just over 5 weeks’ time in order to address worker shortages.
  • Further visa categories reopen throughout the year to help accelerate economic recovery

The New Zealand border will reopen to vaccinated Kiwis and other current eligible travellers from Australia at 11.59pm on 27 February and to the same groups from the rest of the world only two weeks later on 13 March, COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins and Immigration Minister Kris Faafoi announced 3 February 2022.  

China - A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates launched in the WeChat mini program of the State Council app

State Council  jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, have launched A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates (2024 Edi...