United Kingdom - Sponsorship roadmap to make it easier to attract global talent

The government has set out a series of ambitious reforms that build on the launch of the points-based immigration system at the end of last year, allowing businesses to access skilled talent from abroad quicker and easier. 

Significant improvements have already been made to the employer sponsorship system, including a reduction on processing times and making the sponsor licence application fully paperless. 

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Singapore - Updates on Border Measures For Travellers From New Zealand And Jiangsu Province, Mainland China

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has been closely monitoring the global COVID-19 situation and regularly reviews Singapore’s border measures to manage the risk of importation from travellers and onward local transmission. 

We will tighten our border measures for travellers from New Zealand, given the increase in the number of COVID-19 cases there. 

As the situation in Jiangsu province, Mainland China has improved, we will allow travellers from Jiangsu province, Mainland China to undergo a COVID-19 Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) test upon arrival, and to go about their activities in Singapore if the PCR test result is negative. 

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UK - Montenegro and Thailand will move to the red list 4am Monday 30 August. The Azores, Canada, Denmark, Finland, Liechtenstein, Lithuania and Switzerland will move to the green list

 

• UK updates international travel lists with 7 new destinations added to the green list 
• Thailand and Montenegro to be added to the red list to protect public health 
• passengers should continue to check the latest travel requirements and FCDO advice when considering foreign travel New destinations will be moved to the UK government’s green and red lists, as part of a safe and cautious reopening to international travel.

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New Zealand - Applications open for Resurgence Support Payment

Businesses, organisations and self-employed people affected by the recent increase to Alert Level 4 can now apply online for the COVID-19 Resurgence Support Payment (RSP). 

“The RSP is intended to help businesses with costs like rent or fixed costs during higher alert levels and is one of a suite of measures to support firms and workers and provide certainty,” Grant Robertson said. 

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Singapore - Cross Border Digital Collaborations Pave the Way for New Business Opportunities Between Singapore and China in the Digital Economy

At the International Dedicated Connectivity (IDC) Forum held as part of Smart China Expo (SCE) 2021, new Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) between Singapore and Chongqing businesses were inked to further cross border digital collaborations in  a wide range of sectors, including manufacturing, trade and logistics, and healthcare.  

READ THE PRESS RELEASE HERE

Philippines - Bureau of Immigration (BI) launches ACR I-Card checking system for alien passengers

Foreigners registered with the Bureau of Immigration (BI) will soon be able to enter and exit the country with more ease with the upcoming integration of the bureau’s automated travel control system at the ports with its database of issued alien certification of registration identity cards (ACR I-Cards). 

READ THE PRESS RELEASE HERE

UK - Boost for British shoppers and exporters from UK-New Zealand trade deal

• Chocolate, gin, buses and clothes are among British products that could see tariffs of up to 10% removed, encouraging New Zealand to buy British. 

• High quality New Zealand products such as wine, food and drink could be tariff-free in UK shops. 

• Total trade in goods and services between the UK and New Zealand was worth £2.3 billion last year and is set to increase with a trade deal 

A trade deal with New Zealand could give British shoppers and exporters reason to cheer as both countries ditch tariffs as high as 10% on a range of high-quality products. The latest round of trade talks between both sides ended last month with good progress made towards a final deal. 

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Singapore - Vaccination-differentiated border measures (updated as of 19 Aug)

With Singapore’s higher population vaccination rates, vaccination-differentiated border measures will be introduced for travellers from counties/regions that have controlled the pandemic well and vaccinated large parts of their population. 

Countries/ regions will be classified into 4 categories with differentiated border measures, based on a traveller’s 21-day travel history prior to their entry into Singapore. If the traveller visits or transits through countries/ regions in different categories, the strictest set of requirements among those countries/ regions will apply. 

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Scotland - Work begins on a Minimum Income Guarantee

Scotland is taking its first steps on the road to establishing a Scottish Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG). 

Social Justice Secretary Shona Robison will co-chair the first meeting of a new steering group to drive forward the ambitious new policy with the aim of reducing poverty, inequality and insecurity. 

READ THE NEWS HERE

Philippines - Extended travel restriction from passengers coming from 10 countries until August 31

The Bureau of Immigration (BI) announced that they will be implementing the extended travel restriction from passengers coming from 10 countries. 

In an advisory, BI Commissioner Jaime Morente stated that in compliance with a resolution from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF), the travel restrictions set for passengers coming from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia have been extended beginning Monday until August 31. 

READ THE PRESS RELEASE HERE 

Singapore - From 20 August 2021, 2359hrs, all fully vaccinated travellers from Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Switzerland 2 may be able to apply to opt out of dedicated Stay-Home Notice (SHN) facilities

From 20 August 2021, 2359hrs, all fully vaccinated travellers from Australia, Austria, Canada, Germany, Italy, Norway, the Republic of Korea (ROK), and Switzerland ² may be able to apply to opt out of dedicated Stay-Home Notice (SHN) facilities. 

They can choose to serve their 14-day SHN at their respective places of residence (e.g. residential address) or other suitable accommodation if they fulfil certain criteria as follows: 

• Remained in the above-mentioned countries³, in the last consecutive 21 days prior to arriving in Singapore; and 

• Are occupying their respective places of residence or other suitable accommodation alone, or only with household members who are also vaccinated persons serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of SHN.  

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Hong Kong - Tighter quarantine measures set

The Government announced that the quarantine requirements for people arriving from 16 overseas places will be tightened from midnight on August 20 in view of the latest developments of the COVID-19 epidemic situation. 

The Government said the global COVID-19 epidemic situation is under serious threat from the Delta variant, with acute surges in the number of confirmed cases within a short period of time in many countries. 

READ THE NEWS HERE 

READ THE ARRANGEMENT DETAILS HERE

France - Applying for a COVID certificate if you were vaccinated abroad (procedure for non-EU tourists)

In France, the COVID certificate is issued to people who have tested negative or who have been fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency or one of the equivalents to these vaccines. 

In order to facilitate the stay of non-EU tourists in France, the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs has set up a specific mechanism for issuing a COVID vaccine certificate of equivalence, which is valid on French territory. 

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New Zealand - Government’s framework for re-opening borders and moving to an individualised risk-based model for quarantine-free travel

The Government’s framework for re-opening borders and moving to an individualised risk-based model for quarantine-free travel was unveiled at a forum on Reconnecting New Zealanders to the World in Wellington on 12 August. 

The release of the plan followed the publication of Sir David Skegg’s Strategic COVID-19 Public Health Advisory Group’s advice to Government. 

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US - US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Expands Partnership with Social Security Administration

US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that applicants filing for lawful permanent resident status are now able to apply for a Social Security number (SSN) or replacement card as part of the adjustment of status application process. 

Previously, these individuals had to apply for a Social Security number at a Social Security office. USCIS is revising Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, to include the additional questions needed to apply for an SSN or a replacement card. 

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Singapore - Resuming Entry Approvals For Vaccinated Work Pass Holders And Their Dependants

From 10 August 2021, work pass holders and their dependants with travel history to higher risk countries/regions1 can start applying for entry approval, on the condition that they must be fully vaccinated2 before arrival in Singapore3. 

This is part of the Ministry of Manpower’s (MOM) plans to resume entry approvals for work pass holders and their dependants in a safe and calibrated manner. 

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Singapore - Travellers from Taiwan need not serve SHN from Aug 7 if they test negative for Covid-19 on arrival

The Multi-Ministry Taskforce has been closely monitoring the global COVID-19 situation. 

As the situation in Taiwan has improved, we will allow travellers from Taiwan to undergo a COVID-19 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test upon arrival, and to go about their activities in Singapore if the PCR test result is negative. 

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Australia - If you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption

If you are an Australian citizen or a permanent resident you cannot leave Australia due to COVID-19 restrictions unless you have an exemption. You can apply online but you must meet at least one of the following: 

• your travel is as part of the response to the COVID-19 outbreak, including the provision of aid

• your travel is for your business/employer

• you are travelling to receive urgent medical treatment that is not available in Australia

• you are travelling outside Australia for a compelling reason for three months or longer 

• you are travelling on compelling or compassionate grounds (6) your travel is in the national interest. 

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HOUSE OF GUCCI | Official Trailer

The trailer really showcases Gaga at her best. Is another Oscar on the table?

Hong Kong - Tighter border control measures set

The Government announced today that it will tighten the border control measures for inbound travellers based on the vaccine bubble concept so as to build an anti-epidemic barrier for Hong Kong to prevent imported COVID-19 cases. 

Under the new measures, overseas places will be recategorised into high, medium and low-risk groups, and relevant boarding, quarantine and testing requirements will be implemented based on risk levels. 

READ THE NEWS HERE 

READ THE CONTROL MEASURES HERE

Singapore - Updates on Border Measures For Travellers From Australia And Jiangsu Province, Mainland China

We will be tightening our border measures in Australia and Jiangsu Province, Mainland China. 

Travellers from Australia to serve 14-day SHN at dedicated SHN facilities. 

As there has been a recent increase in cases reported by Australia, all travellers entering Singapore from 2 August 2021, 2359 hours, with travel history in the past 21 days to Australia will be subjected to a 14-day Stay-Home Notice (SHN) at dedicated SHN facilities. 

Travellers will also be allowed to apply to opt out1 of dedicated SHN facilities before arrival and serve their 14-day SHN at their place of residence, if they fulfil the following criteria: 

a) Travelled to no other country/region other than Australia2, in the last consecutive 21 days immediately prior to entry into Singapore; and 

b) Are occupying their place of residence (i.e. residential address) alone, or only with household members who are also persons serving SHN with the same travel history and duration of SHN. 

READ MORE HERE