Mobility: immigration alert February 2020

Mainland , SAR and SAR Coronavirus – assessing the business impact

Executive summary ► Foreign national assignees (noting that The recent outbreak of novel coronavirus continues to Mainland Chinese, Hong Kong SAR, or spread, with the World Health Organization (WHO) now Macau SAR passport holders may be treated declaring a global health emergency in this regard. While as foreign nationals under mobility health and safety are always the main priority, businesses frameworks in these three jurisdictions) in must remain focused on the wellbeing of their people. , Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR; and This guide addresses key actions and measures that ► Foreign nationals on local headcount in businesses may consider to facilitate conversations Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau around how coronavirus may affect their operations. SAR (including foreign nationals hired locally) Actions for Mobility, HR, and Immigration 2. Data can be found with travel desks, travel 1. Raise awareness within the business. Notify stakeholders providers, HR (for local headcount data), of key risks and considerations in response to the mobility and third-party providers supporting virus outbreak. business operations. 2. Guidance should be provided by members of broader 3. Notify stakeholders by: coronavirus response groups on what teams need to ► Sharing data identifying employees who be doing in response to the outbreak and current are affected; travel bans. ► Drafting impact assessments; and ► Actively communicating and developing Raising awareness of business considerations action plans. 1. Identify your company’s population. Data should be collated as below: Providing guidance ► People who have recently visited Mainland 1. Consider your company’s position regarding travelers China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR who have recently visited Mainland China, Hong (inbound); Kong SAR, or Macau SAR. ► People who are in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR seeking to travel (outbound); ► People with planned travel to Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR;

2. Ensure appropriate health checks or quarantine processes are EY | Assurance | Tax | Transactions | Advisory implemented and check whether your company’s policies align with guidance from the WHO and your national government. About EY 3. Assess whether your company should place a temporary ban on planned EY is a global leader in assurance, tax, travel to Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR and the transaction and advisory services. The insights business consequences that this may have. and quality services we deliver help build trust 4. Determine the visa consequences for the impacted population, e.g. and confidence in the capital markets and in visas granted to employees may require activation, validity periods of economies the world over. We develop current visas, impact of prior travel and impact on visas or residency outstanding leaders who team to deliver on our by leaving the country. promises to all of our stakeholders. In so doing, 5. Evaluate your company’s approach regarding moving your employees we play a critical role in building a better out of Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR. Commercial working world for our people, for our clients and flights are being cancelled, complicating the process of departing. for our communities. While flights have been arranged by diplomatic officials for some US, Japanese, and EU citizens, among others, businesses should plan and EY refers to the global organization, and may assess the impact of the options available for their people by considering refer to one or more, of the member firms of whether to work with government officials or make private travel Ernst & Young Global Limited, each of which is a arrangements. Attention should be given to dependents and families separate legal entity. Ernst & Young Global with multiple nationalities. Limited, a UK company limited by guarantee, 6. The current situation may get worse before it improves. Consider the does not provide services to clients. Information impact this may have regarding moving travelers, assignees, or new about how EY collects and uses personal data hires from Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, or Macau SAR to other and a description of the rights individuals have locations, and visa considerations. under data protection legislation is available via ey.com/privacy. For more information about

Given that travel bans, restrictions on entry, and decisions to leave a our organization, please visit ey.com. country all impact residency and visa validity, immigration planning at this time is critical. There are no exceptions in the current legislation © 2020 EYGM Limited. for “health emergencies”, and decisions made hurriedly risk long-term All Rights Reserved. EYG no. 000585-20Gbl implications for employees and dependent family members. ED None Key next steps 1. Identify impacted people. This material has been prepared for general 2. Determine a business-as-usual contingency and evacuation plan. informational purposes only and is not intended 3. Draft a long-term impact assessment, considering immigration to be relied upon as accounting, tax, or other continuity issues such as residency status. professional advice. Please refer to your 4. Although the focus is on people in Mainland China, Hong Kong SAR, advisors for specific advice. and Macau SAR, consider your employees who are prevented from entering those jurisdictions and how restricted movement from those ey.com jurisdictions can impact operations in other locations.

Please contact your local EY advisor or one of the contacts listed below for any queries or assistance required.

Beijing Jason Mi Ben Fan Tel: +86 10 5815 3990 Tel: +86 21 2228 2257 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Grace Song Sheree Cang Tel: +86 10 5913 5189 Tel: +86 21 2228 3661 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Guangzhou Shenzhen Shirley J Liu Sam Pang Tel: +86 20 2881 2778 Tel: +86 755 2502 8160 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

Hangzhou Hong Kong Amy Wang Winnie Walker Tel: +86 571 8736 5166 Tel: +852 2629 3693 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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