Month: September 2016

Investment Visa Options: Singapore Global Investor Programme

September 30, 2016

Continuing with our series on immigration through investment, the Singapore Global Investor Programme appears as a highly attractive option for those looking to relocate to Asia. Investors interested in starting up businesses or investing in Singapore can apply for the...

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CHINA: Employment Permit and Foreign Expert Certificate to be Consolidated

September 29, 2016

From 1st October 2016, the employment permit issued by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, and the foreign expert certificate issued by the State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, will be consolidated into a single permit. The integrated…

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SAUDI ARABIA: Weighted Nitaqat Introduced

September 29, 2016

As part of Vision 2030, Saudi Arabia has announced the implementation of "Weighted Nitaqat" (or Nitaqat Al- Mozoon) as an enhanced version of their Nitaqat program. Initially, the Nitiqat program was intended to increase the number of Saudi Arabian nationals…

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VIETNAM: One-Year Visa Introduced for US Nationals

September 23, 2016

Last month, the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam announced that all US nationals visiting Vietnam for business or tourism will be issued with a one-year multiple-entry tourist visa, regardless of the intended length of stay. Previously, US nationals…

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UK: Steep Rise for Immigration Appeal Fees

September 23, 2016

The UK Government has decided to table an enormous hike in Immigration Appeal fees, with the added justification that the Immigration Tribunal should be completely funded by the fee paying litigant. The UK Government issued a statement that reads; "We,…

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NIGERIA: New CERPAC Centres Established

September 22, 2016

The Federal Ministry of Interior ("FMI") has commissioned 28 new Combined Expatriate Residence Permit and Alien Card (CERPAC) production centres across Nigeria, increasing the total number of centres country-wide to 36. The main objectives of these new centres are to…

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PERU: Visa-Free Entry for Certain Chinese Nationals

September 22, 2016

From 21st September 2016, qualifying Chinese nationals are able to enter Peru visa-free for business or tourism, for one or more stays totalling up to 180 days per six months. To qualify, Chinese nationals must hold permanent residence or a…

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AUSTRALIA: Temporary Activity Visa Framework Changes

September 22, 2016

Subject to final approval from the Governor-General, significant reforms to the temporary activity visa framework will be made on 19th November 2016. The proposed changes include creating a new single sponsor class to replace the six existing sponsor classes, removing…

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AUSTRALIA: Tax Delayed on Australian Working Holiday 417 and 462 Visa

September 21, 2016

As part of the 2015 National Budget, the Australian Federal Government proposed to tax the earnings of Australian Working Holiday Visa holders at a much higher rate than Australian nationals. The delayed tax proposal, scheduled to come into operation on…

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CANADA: Cracks Appear in Support for Immigration

September 15, 2016

Canada is internationally renowned for welcoming tens of thousands of new immigrants every year. It"s expected that 300,000 new immigrants will arrive in Canada in 2016, a number that includes 25,000 Syrian refugees whose admission to Canada was fast-tracked by…

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