February 2022 Global Immigration Alert

Please note: while we address some country-specific updates related to the COVID-19 outbreak, the below contains information regarding global restrictions and closures as they stand today. Given the constantly changing nature of this situation, we highly recommend reviewing any global mobility inquiries on a case-by-case basis, including any consulate-specific or immigration authority resources, in “real-time” before traveling internationally. Please reach out to our Global Mobility Team in advance of any international travel.

Canada - Travel Update, Adjusted Border Measures

Exemptions for foreign national travelers entering Canada have changed as of January 15, 2022.  Now the following groups (which were previously exempt) must be fully vaccinated with one of the vaccines approved by Health Canada, or they will be denied entry:

• Individuals over 18 travelling to reunite with family.
• International students 18 and older.
• Professional and amateur athletes, and their support staff.
• Individuals with a valid work permit and temporary foreign workers (outside of agricultural and food processing).
• Essential service providers such as truck drivers, emergency service providers, and marine researchers.

Please note that some foreign nationals who are not vaccinated may still enter Canada on very limited exemptions.

In addition, there have been changes to testing and quarantine exemptions for certain travelers entering Canada, regardless of their citizenship.  Currently, travelers who have been outside of Canada or the U.S. within 14 days of entry, and are selected for random testing at the port of entry, will need to quarantine/self-isolate while awaiting their test results.  These travelers, however, can still take public transit, including connecting flights, to get to their place of quarantine.  They can also register ahead of time with the affiliated testing provider at the port of entry to obtain their results faster.  Travelers who have only been in the U.S. or Canada within 14 days and are selected for random testing at the port of entry will not need to quarantine/self-isolate while awaiting their results.

Denmark - New Government Filing Fees and Salary Thresholds Announced

The Danish immigration authorities (SIRI) have announced new government filing fees for work and residence permit applications filed under the Pay-Limit Scheme for both principal applicants and their dependent family members.  The new fees are as follows:

• Principal - 4,430 DKK (595 EUR)
• Dependent Family Member - 1,640 DKK (220 EUR) 

Additionally, the minimum salary requirement for work permit applications filed under the Pay-Limit Scheme for 2022 is 448,000 DKK per year (37,334 DKK per month).

EU - New Entry/Exit System for Third-Country Nationals Announced

Non-EU citizens (third-country nationals) will be required to use a new Entry/Exit System (EES) for travel to EU member countries.  The EES will be an automated system registering short-stay visa holders and visa-exempt travelers from third countries each time they cross an EU external border.  Information collected by the system will include the traveler’s name, travel document, biometric data, and place (country) of entry and exit.  It will also record entry refusals. The EES program was proposed by the EU Commission in 2016 as part of the Smart Borders Package in an effort to update and ease the tracking of travel data.

EES will replace the physical stamping of passports in order to provide more reliable data and will be used to track short-term visitors overstaying their visa or granted period of stay.  The online system is not yet live, but expected to be implemented in the first half of 2022.

Please see the EU Commission website for additional information. 

Singapore - Vaccination Requirements for Long-Term Pass and Work Pass Applications

Starting February 1, 2022 the Singapore Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will require proof of full COVID-19 vaccination for approval/granting of any long-term pass, work pass, or permanent residence applications.  This includes applications for Employment Passes (EP) and Dependent Passes (DP) for family members.  A declaration confirming the applicant and any dependent(s) are fully vaccinated is required in order to submit EP and DP applications.  Applicants with digitally verifiable vaccination evidence will be required to upload their documentation to the ICA Vaccination Check Portal System.  Applicants whose vaccination evidence is not digitally verifiable must present the original documentation upon boarding flights and at immigration check points at the border.  Individuals who have received their vaccination overseas must update their vaccination records in the National Immunisation Registry (NIR) within 30 days of arrival in Singapore.

Please see the MOM website for additional information. 

United Kingdom - Online Right to Work Checks for British and Irish Citizens, COVID Entry Updates, Afghan Citizen Resettlement Scheme

Online Right to Work and Rent Checks for British and Irish Nationals:

Starting April 6, 2022, a new Identification Document Validation Technology (IDVT) service will allow for British and Irish citizens who hold a valid passport (including Irish passport cards) to be able to upload images of their personal documents via a certified IDSP to verify their identity remotely and prove their eligibility to work or rent, instead of presenting physical documents to employers and landlords in order to examine them. 

The Home Office hopes these changes to the Schemes will:

• Allow those in scope to verify their identity remotely, prove their eligibility to work or rent, and apply for DBS checks. Using IDVT allows people to upload images of their personal documents, instead of presenting physical documents to a prospective employer – reducing time and mitigating risk.
• Allow private sector IDVT service providers to become independently certified by UK Accreditation Service (UKAS) accredited assessors to ensure the technology meets the Government Standards and the applicant’s data is protected.

Enabling the use of IDVT for right to work, right to rent, and DBS checks will help to support long-term and post-pandemic remote working practices, accelerate the recruitment and onboarding process, improve employee mobility, and enhance the security and integrity of the checks.  The technology utilized across the identity process seeks to reduce human error in terms of identifying fraudulent documents or inaccuracies and will support the Home Office, DBS, and DCMS in driving improvements through their delivery partners.

Updated COVID-19 Entry Rules:

The UK government and the devolved administrations of Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland have agreed that from 4 am on January 7, 2022 pre-departure COVID-19 tests will no longer be required for those entering the UK who are fully vaccinated or under the age of 18.  These travelers also will not be required to self-isolate on arrival until they have received a negative test result.  Instead, they must take a test on or before day two after arriving in the UK (which from 4 am on Sunday, January 9, 2022 may be a lateral flow, rather than PCR test).  

Please see here for more information.

Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme Opens:

The UK has formally opened the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme (ACRS) on January 6, 2022. The scheme prioritizes:

• Those who have assisted the UK efforts in Afghanistan and stood up for values such as democracy, women’s rights, freedom of speech, and rule of law.
• Vulnerable people, including women and girls at risk, and members of minority groups at risk (including ethnic and religious minorities and LGBT+ individuals).

There is no application process for the ACRS, and prioritization and referral for resettlement are processed in one of three ways. Full details can be found on the Afghan citizens resettlement scheme guidance on the UK government website.

Anyone who is resettled through the ACRS will receive indefinite leave to enter or remain in the UK and will be able to apply for British citizenship after 5 years in the UK under existing rules.