Category Archives: News

AUSTRALIA: Reforms to Permanent Entry Employer-Nominated Program Introduced on July 1

The Australian government has announced reforms to the permanent entry employer-nominated visa program to be introduced on July 1, 2012. Key reforms include: removing the existing distinction between applications with respect to whether they are made by applicants who are in or out of Australia replacing the current requirement of paying nominated permanent resident applicants […]

INDIA: Extended Tourist Visa on Arrival Policy

The Ministry of External Affairs (“MEA”) in India has extended the Tourist Visa on Arrival policy to residents of France, Germany and Russia. India currently issues Visa on Arrival to 11 countries namely Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Singapore, Myanmar, Finland, Luxembourg and New Zealand. After the MEA’s nod, the proposal has been sent […]

GERMANY: Immigration Documents Going Electronic

The conventional residence permit, the residence card and permanent residence card, and the replacement ID in paper form are being replaced by the electronic residence permit, which will be granted in a credit card-style format. Since September 1, 2011, applicants for a German electronic residence permit (elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel or eTA) must attend an in-person meeting […]

AUSTRALIA: Caution When Dismissing Sponsored Employees

Sponsors should be cautious when considering dismissal of 457 visa holders. As with their Australian counterparts, 457 visa holders have access to employment remedies under the Fair Work Act. Even where a sponsored employee’s employment is terminated under an employment agreement, the dismissal may still be held to be harsh, unjust, or unreasonable. Under Australian […]

GERMANY: Institutes New Requirements for Electronic Travel Permit

Since September 1, 2011, applicants for a German electronic residence permit (elektronischer Aufenthaltstitel or eTA) must attend an in-person meeting at the foreigner’s office (together with any family members). Fingerprints and biometric photographs will be taken. The conventional residence permit (adhesive label), the residence card and permanent residence card, and the replacement ID in paper […]

PERU: Clarification in Scope of Some Peruvian Immigration Rules

Changes do not occur often in Peruvian immigration law. Recently, however, a few notable changes took place. One change concerns the modification of articles 358 to 378 of the Peruvian Consular Rules that was approved by Supreme Decree No. 091-2011-RE at the end of July 2011, in coordination with amendments to the Peruvian Aliens Law […]

UNITED KINGDOM: Biometric Residence Permits for All Migrants To Be Rolled Out

The Home Office will shortly roll out Biometric Residence Permits (BRP) (otherwise known as BID) for all visa applicants applying to enter the UK from overseas. The BRP is a plastic card with details on the applicant’s visa type and visa validity dates. There will be a phased introduction once Parliament has approved the legislation […]

MEXICO: New Immigration Law

On May 24, 2011, President Felipe Calderon of Mexico signed a new Immigration Law, which abolished and superseded the General Population Law that had been in existence for 40 years. The new law involves significant changes to the current immigration regime, although these will not become evident until implementing regulations are published. Publication of the […]