UK - Points based system welcomes highly skilled graduates to the UK

The world’s top graduates in subjects such as science, engineering and medical research will be able to bring their skills to the UK following the launch of a new visa route targeting graduates from prestigious universities such as Harvard, MIT, the Karolinska Institute and Kyoto University. 

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Shanghai announces action plan for economic recovery

To coordinate COVID-19 control with economic development, the municipal government of Shanghai launched an action plan on May 29 to speed up economic recovery.

Under the plan, composed of 50 policies and measures, the city's approval system for production resumption will be abandoned starting June 1, Shanghai's deputy mayor Wu Qing told a press conference. 

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HKSAR - Inbound travel rules maintained

Chief Executive Carrie Lam today said it is very unlikely that the Government will relax its inbound travel restrictions before the end of June. 

Ahead of today’s Executive Council meeting in the morning, Mrs Lam pointed out that while the number of local COVID-19 cases is now very low, imported cases account for a significant share of the total caseload. 

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Indonesia - Regulation entering Indonesia effective from 18 May 2022

The Indonesian COVID-19 Task Force/BNPB Circular Note No 19 Year 2022 is effective from 18 May, 2022 until a later date is determined. 

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FAQ During Covid-19 Outbreak : For Indonesian citizens and Foreigners who wants to go to Indonesia.

Digital Markets Act: EP committee endorses agreement with Council

On Monday, Parliament’s Internal Market Committee endorsed the provisionally reached agreement with EU governments on the Digital Markets Act (DMA) with 43 votes in favour, one against and one abstention. 

Together with the parallel Digital Services Act (DSA), the DMA will address a number of societal and economic issues by limiting the market power of big online platforms and to make the digital market safer, fairer and more competitive.

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Singapore and the African Union can Digitally Verify Each Other’s COVID-19 Vaccination Certificates from 23 May 2022

To facilitate the resumption of travel between Singapore and countries in Africa, Singapore and the African Union, through the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), have established a framework for mutual recognition of digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates.

With mutual recognition, from 23 May, fully vaccinated travellers with digital COVID-19 vaccination certificates issued in the African Union, via the Africa CDC’s Trusted Travel (TT) and Trusted Vaccines (TV) platforms (trustedtravel.panabios.org), can upload and validate their certificates through the Vaccination Check Portal (VCP) or the Singapore Arrival Card (SGAC) to verify their vaccination status. This will allow them to enter Singapore without quarantine and/or testing under the Vaccinated Travel Framework.

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New Zealand - Fully open border and immigration changes speed up economic growth

• Border fully open two months early from 11:59pm 31 July
• Significantly simplified immigration processes that provide faster processing for businesses
• New Green List that includes over 85 hard to fill roles created to attract and retain high-skilled workers to fill skill shortages
• Green List will provide streamlined and prioritised pathway to residency incentivising high skilled healthcare, engineers, trade and tech sector workers to relocate to New Zealand long term
• Visa extensions for around 20,000 migrants already in New Zealand to ensure skilled workers stay in country
• New sector specific agreements, to help industries transition from a reliance on low-wage, low skill migrant labour, including additional measures to support the rebuild of our tourism sector
• Cruise ships able to return with the opening of the maritime border from 31 July
• Full resumption of international education from 31 July
• Apprenticeship Boost extended to the end of 2023, supporting an extra 38,000 New Zealanders into trades
• Online visitor visa applications reopen to Pacific Island Forum countries (excluding Australia) from 16 May

Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern today announced a major package of reforms, which include an early opening of New Zealand’s border and a simplification of immigration settings, to address the immediate skill shortages in New Zealand and speed up the economic recovery from COVID-19.

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UK - Bahrain and Saudi Arabia get UK electronic visa waiver status

• From 1 June 2022, nationals of Saudi Arabia and Bahrain can apply to travel to the UK (for tourism, business, study or medical treatment) for up to 6 months with an electronic visa waiver

• The move will deepen the UK’s partnership with Saudi Arabia and Bahrain and enhance diplomatic ties and economic prosperity.

Saudi Arabia and Bahrain will join other Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states with electronic visa waiver status, the Home Office has announced. The move will maintain security and effective border processes ensuring necessary security checks are carried out ahead of travel whilst enabling smooth transit through the UK border for visitors.

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New Zealand - Broadened criteria for returning visa holders

The Government is broadening the ability for residence class visa holders to re-enter New Zealand, Minister for COVID-19 Response Chris Hipkins has announced. 

The change means residence class visa holders not vaccinated against COVID-19 will be able to enter New Zealand from 6 May. 

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