Monday, November 28, 2022

Taiwan encourages firms to retain migrant workers long-term

The Ministry of Labor (MOL) has called on more local businesses to apply for a new program launched this year which can extend the 12-year contractual limitation of their migrant workers if they meet certain conditions.

Saturday, November 26, 2022

Youtube Video on Busan and Seoul Premiering on 27 November at 9pm SGT!

Travelling in Busan and Seoul in November 2022, a collage of photos, TikTok videos and IG stories. Youtube video premiering on 27 November @ 9pm SGT. Enjoy!

Thursday, November 24, 2022

European Union - Parliament approves landmark rules to boost gender equality on corporate boards

  1. 40% of non-executive director posts should go to the under-represented sex
  2. Dissuasive penalties for companies that do not comply with the rules
  3. Small and medium-sized enterprises with fewer than 250 employees will be excluded


By July 2026, all big publicly listed companies in the EU will have to take measures to increase women’s presence at their helm.


READ MORE HERE

Tuesday, November 22, 2022

UK and Switzerland agree three-year extension to the Services Mobility Agreement, enabling UK professionals to work in Switzerland without a permit for up to 90 days

  • UK and Switzerland agree three-year extension to the Services Mobility Agreement (SMA), enabling UK professionals to work in Switzerland for up to 90 days a year permit free
  • Extension welcomed by UK services industry, which accounts for around 80% of the UK’s GDP and workforce
  • News comes ahead of negotiations on an ambitious new trade deal between the two services superpowers in 2023

Friday, November 18, 2022

Hong Kong - Government adjusts nucleic acid testing arrangements for inbound travellers to 2 tests from November 21

The Government announced November 17 that the nucleic acid testing arrangements for persons arriving at Hong Kong from overseas places or Taiwan will be adjusted starting from November 21.  

Relevant persons will only be required to undergo nucleic acid tests on the day of arrival at Hong Kong (i.e. “test-and-go” at the airport) and on Day 2 after arrival at Hong Kong, as well as daily rapid antigen tests (RATs) after arrival until Day 7 after arrival at Hong Kong. 

The existing compulsory nucleic acid testing requirement on Day 4 and Day 6 after arrival at Hong Kong will be lifted.

Thursday, November 17, 2022

China encourages foreign investment

China's latest move to open its market to foreign investment in the manufacturing sector will contribute to high-quality development, and ensure the stability and security of global industrial and supply chains, market watchers and business leaders said.

Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Taiwan to raise weekly arrival cap to 200,000 from December 1

Taiwan will raise the weekly cap on arriving visitors from abroad from the current 150,000 to 200,000 from Dec. 1, after COVID-19 cases in the country declined for five consecutive weeks, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) said Monday.


Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Ireland - Suspension of re-entry visa requirements for children under the age of 16 years

The re-entry visa requirements for children under the age of 16 years will remain suspended until further notice.
Children under 16 who are currently residing in the State and who wish to re-enter the State,  must be accompanied by their parent or legal guardian who holds an in date permission to reside in the State. 
The adult accompanying the child must also provide appropriate documentation to prove they are the legal parent or guardian of the child in question.

Monday, November 14, 2022

Friday, November 11, 2022

USA - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Announces Countries Eligible for H-2A and H-2B Visa Programs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in consultation with the Department of State (DOS), has announced the lists of countries whose nationals are eligible to participate in the H-2A and H-2B visa programs in the next year. 

The notice listing the eligible countries will be published in the Federal Register on Nov. 10, 2022.

Thursday, November 10, 2022

Thailand - Cabinet withdraws draft ministerial regulation for foreign land ownership

Many parties have expressed their concerns in response to the October 25th Cabinet endorsement, in principle, of a draft foreign land ownership bill. To address said concerns, the interior ministry will be withdrawing the draft ministerial regulation in favor of conducting public hearings and gathering input from relevant parties.

Thailand - e-Extension system for online visa extension launched

On November 8, 2022 at the Royal Thai Police (Sq.) Pol. Gen. Damrongsak Kittipraphat National Police Commissioner along with Pol. Gen. Roy Ingkapairote, Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Police, Pol. Lt. Gen. Pakpoomphiphat Satchaphan, commander of the Immigration Bureau launched Thailand's first system to request permission to stay in the Kingdom temporarily by electronic means or "e-Extension".

Wednesday, November 09, 2022

New Zealand - Modernised border experience on the way for travellers

A safer and smarter border experience is a step closer after the Customs and Excise (Arrival Information) Amendment Bill passed its first reading in Parliament.

The Bill amends the Customs and Excise Act 2018 to make the obligations for arrival information clearer.

Canada - Minister Wilkinson Highlights Government’s Clean Tech Tax Credit Plan to Build an Economy That Works for Everyone

With one of the world’s most comprehensive and detailed climate plans, a wealth of natural resources and a skilled workforce, Canada is establishing itself as a global supplier of choice for clean energy in a net-zero world. 

Governments worldwide are looking for reliable, affordable, non-emitting forms of energy, and it is in this context that like-minded nations must come together to ensure a future that is sustainable both economically and environmentally.

European Union - Parliament wants to clamp down on foreign public subsidies

Government financing of enterprises has been on the rise worldwide, in particular because of China's growing role in the global economy.
Foreign subsidies can have a distortive effect on competitive markets.Parliament wants the European Commission to have the power to investigate and counteract market-distorting foreign subsidies granted to companies set to acquire EU businesses or take part in EU public procurement.

Tuesday, November 08, 2022

Singapore - Speech by Minister of Manpower Regarding Integrating Work Pass Holders

Ministry of Manpower (MOM) also plans to pilot a Settling-In Programme for new S Pass holders next year, to familiarise them with working in Singapore and to encourage positive interaction with locals within and beyond the workplace.

Monday, November 07, 2022

Taiwan to launch digital custom declaration service

Taiwan will soon launch a digital service which will allow people entering or exiting Taiwan to declare assets such as gold and currency online, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Friday.
Under the Anti-Money Laundering Regulations for Cross-border Declaration and Reporting, people entering or exiting Taiwan with more than NT$100,000 in Taiwan dollars, more than US$10,000 in foreign currency, and gold worth more than US$20,000 must declare such valuables with Taiwan customs.

Thursday, November 03, 2022

Singapore: Corporate Income Tax Filing – Adopters of Seamless Filing from Software to Enjoy Additional Benefits from 2023

To support more companies and tax agents to adopt seamless filing from software for greater productivity, the Inland Revenue Authority of Singapore (IRAS) is pleased to announce two new benefits for those filing Corporate Income Tax (CIT) Returns (Form C-S 1) seamlessly from software for the Year of Assessment (YA) 2023 to YA 2025.

Wednesday, November 02, 2022

Canada - An Immigration Plan to Grow the Economy

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, released Canada’s 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan. 

The plan embraces immigration as a strategy to help businesses find workers and to attract the skills required in key sectors—including health care, skilled trades, manufacturing and technology—to manage the social and economic challenges Canada will face in the decades ahead.

Italy-Canada: the Youth Mobility Agreement enters into force

The Youth Mobility Agreement between Italy and Canada comes into force 1 November 2022, offering vocational training opportunities to young Italians and Canadians aged between 18 and 35 who enter the world of work.

Australia - Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) announced for India

Australia is introducing MATES for Indian nationals to live and work in Australia for up to 2 years.  From December 2024, graduates and ear...