Business Friendly Immigration Policies 11 AM (ET) · • Implemented “business friendly” immigration reforms in 2016: • Certain categories of short-term workers are exempt from

Business Friendly Immigration Policies

11 AM (ET)

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Today’s Presenters

Debbie Beynon

Regional Immigration Manager, Bangkok

Andrea FascettiGlobal Immigration Practice Leader, Geneva


Agenda

• Current immigration challenges

• An overview of friendly immigration policies

around the globe

• What can you do to prepare to overcome

the challenges, and benefit from friendlier

immigration policies ?


Top challenges clients are facing

• Increase on immigration audits/enforcements

• Higher scrutiny during adjudication processes

• Protective local labor laws

• Developing countries compliance issues

• Disconnect between business unit managers and HR departments

(expectations/timelines)

• Growing business travelers population

AN OVERVIEW OF FRIENDLY IMMIGRATION POLICIES AROUND THE GLOBE


Germany

• EU Blue Card

• ICT Card for intra-company transferee

• Foreign Specialist resident permit

• Overview of the “Immigration Act for Skilled Workers”


France

• Implemented “business friendly” immigration reforms in 2016:

• Certain categories of short-term workers are exempt from securing a work permits

• Multiple year work permits are being approved

• “Passport Talent” option


Netherlands

• Immigration Policy changes from “restrictive” to “selective”

• Skilled employment has been facilitated

• Recognized Sponsor Status – allowing for shorter processing times

• Friendly Graduate Program

• Investors Program


Switzerland

• Higher work permit quota numbers for non EU/EFTA nationals implemented in 2019

• Bilateral Agreements with the EU/EFTA to ensure free movement of persons

• Extended residence granted to Graduates from Swiss University

• Investor visa possibility


Canada

• Global Skills Strategy – Expedited (two weeks processing time) for intra-company transferees with specialized company knowledge

• Global Talent Stream – Provides expedited access to specialized highly skilled temporary workers

• What does it mean: Processing time for work permit applications can take as little as two weeks and the employee can be authorized to work immediately after.


Mexico

• Increased the number of countries whose nationals do not require a visa to enter Mexico

• Increased the flexibility for business travelers

• Relaxed the requirements for work permits


Thailand

• Increased the number of countries whose nationals can enter visa free or obtain a visa on arrival. Visa on arrival fees waiver extended from 31 Oct 2019 to 30 April 2020

• Reduced processing times for Board of Investment processed work permit applications both for pre arrival, post arrival and renewal

• Introduction of a medical check requirement for BOI work permit applications quickly removed following representations from large corporations in Thailand


Taiwan

• In May 2019, a milestone judgement to legalize same sex marriage subsequently allowing same sex spouses to make applications for an Alien Residence Certificate (ARC). Policy applies to 26 countries where same sex marriage is legally recognized


Australia

• ANSZCO Skilled occupation lists under review with a new list to be released in March 2020. Review is designed to add, remove, change occupations to better meet employer needs

• Introduction of the subclass 494 regional sponsored work visa to encourage talent to expand outside the main metropolitan areas of Sydney and Melbourne. Priority processing offered

• Introduction of a globally talent independent program to attract highly skilled migrants to work in seven designated industry sectors


China

• In August 2019, China announced twelve new policies to help the country attract foreign talent including a broader scope for long term work and residence permits

• In Shanghai, the authorities have made those looking to renew selected visas no longer need to submit documents to prove their relationship to their employer if unchanged from the initial application

• China offers nationals of Brunei, Singapore and Japan a unilateral visa waiver for visits up to 15 days

• Holders of APEC business cards endorsed CHN can enter China visa free for up to 60 days


India

• The Government of India has increased the validity of the e-tourist and e-business visas to one year from the date of issue. Double entries will be permitted on both visa types. This announcement enhances the criteria of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) facility introduced on November 27, 2014 and expanded further in August 2015.


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Documents

Business Friendly Immigration Policies 11 AM (ET) · • Implemented “business friendly” immigration reforms in 2016: • Certain categories of short-term workers are exempt from