Policy In Practice 2013 Report: Now Available
Managing the Global Mobility Function 2012: Now Available
Tag Archive
Australia: Toughened Penalties for Unauthorized Employment Take Effect June 1, 2013
Businesses will be subject to no-fault civil penalties for employment of unauthorized foreign workers, while corporate officers may be held individually liable for noncompliance, under a new law set to take effect June 1, 2013. The Australia government has announced that its new employer sanctions law will take effect June 1, 2013. Employers will be... »
Australia: Federal Budget Will Increase Visa Application Fees, Make Other Immigration Changes
The visa application charge for subclass 457 visa applications will increase to AU$900 (from AU$455), effective July 1, 2013. Government programs to monitor employer compliance with 457 program requirements will receive increased funding. The new fees and other immigration changes were announced in the 2013-2014 budget. The visa application charge for subclass 457... »
China: Government Issues Draft Rules to Implement New Immigration Law, Solicits Public Feedback
The proposed regulations would introduce new visa categories and recategorize some existing ones, provide new definitions of illegal work and stay, and make various eligibility and process changes. Employers and other interested parties have until June 3 to provide feedback on the proposals. The Chinese central government has issued proposed regulations to implement the new... »
Panama: Highly-Skilled Worker Permit Is Among Three New Work Permit Categories
The new highly-skilled worker permit requires a bachelor’s or post-graduate degree, but no minimum level of professional experience. The Panamanian government also introduced new work permit categories for Italian nationals and parents of Panamanian citizens. All three categories are exempt from sponsorship requirements and work permit quotas. Highly-skilled workers holding a bachelor’s or... »
China: Longer Processing Times for Immigration Applications at Shanghai Labor Bureau
The Shanghai Labor Bureau is adhering to its stated processing times for immigration-related applications, taking two to ten working days longer than before to complete adjudications. As of May 2, the Shanghai Labor Bureau is more strictly adhering to its stated processing times for immigration-related applications, taking two to ten working days longer... »
Australia: Government Overhauls Visitor Visa, Introduces New Short-Term Work Visa
Under a new visitor visa framework, foreign visitors are now strictly prohibited from engaging in work-related activities. A new short-term visa subclass has been created for specialized work and event attendance. The Australian government has introduced a new visitor visa framework that prohibits foreign visitors from engaging in any work-related activity or participating... »
Canada: Labor Dispute Likely to Delay Overseas Application Processing
Employers and their foreign workers should expect processing delays for Temporary Resident Visa and work permit applications submitted to diplomatic posts overseas, due to recent labor actions by Canada’s Foreign Service Officers union. Canada’s Foreign Service Officers union, which includes immigration and visa officers abroad, are now engaged in labor actions that are likely... »
Russia: Quotas Revoked for Companies with Labor and Tax Violations; Invitation Letters and Work Permits Delayed for Highly-Skilled Workers
The Russian government has revoked 2013 work permit quotas issued to companies found to be in violation of local labor and tax laws. It is canceling work permits sponsored by these companies and will not issue them employment permits to sponsor foreign nationals for quota-exempt positions. These developments follow increased workplace audits and raids... »
France: Central Government Calls for Increased Scrutiny of Work Permit Programs
Employers can expect to see more intensive scrutiny of work permit applications involving international service agreements and placements at third-party worksites. The French government is urging local authorities to scrutinize work permit applications more closely, particularly where a foreign national will be working under an international service agreement or will be placed at... »
Norway: Corporations Must Demonstrate Business Activity to File for Work Permits
Employers must be actively carrying out business activities in Norway if they intend to file applications for work authorization on behalf of foreign workers. Applications by inactive entities are no longer accepted. Employers must be actively carrying out business activity in Norway if they intend to file an application for work authorization on behalf... »