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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