COVID-19 Global Mobility Update

COVID-19 Global Mobility update

23 -30 September 2020

Dear all,

Please find below our most recent Mobility related global updates specifically related to the COVID-19 crisis and current guidance or measures that different countries are putting into place.

If you have any questions on below, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.

Updates by country:

Bahrain Brazil China Columbia Dominican Republic El Salvador France Germany Hong Kong Iraq Italy Kazakhstan Kenya Malaysia New Zealand Singapore Taiwan Thailand United Kingdom

Combating COVID-19 with resilience

Visit our Deloitte COVID-19 webpage to see a collection of Global Deloitte insights to help businesses manage and mitigate the risk associated with COVID-19.

Colombia - Migration Colombia services available once again What is the change?

Colombian migration authorities announced some immigration services are available once again. Starting on Sept. 21, foreign nationals may apply for permits and visas. All applications require appointments and delays should be expected.

Key Points:

 Individuals can apply for a foreign national ID card, visa registration for adults and children, certificate of migratory movements, a salvoconducto (temporary permit,) Special Permit for the Promotion of Formalization to stay (PEP-FF) and Temporary stay permit (PTP) for extensions of stay in Colombia.  From Sept. 21 until Dec. 15, the following documents will be expedited: foreign national ID card, visa registration for adults and children, certificate of migratory movements, salvoconducto (temporary permit) and Special Permit for the Promotion of Formalization to stay.  Foreign nationals who have expired visas have until Oct. 21 to apply for a salvoconducto (temporary permit.)  Terms for PIP (Permission to Enter and Stay) permits will resume for foreign nationals who were granted that permit upon arrival in Colombia.  Services from BIOMIG and Automatic Migration are now available.

For months, immigration services in Colombia have been mostly halted, with limited exceptions because of the COVID-19 pandemic

Dominican Republic - Negative COVID-19 test no longer required for entry What is the change?

The Dominican Republic has dropped a COVID-19 testing requirement for those entering the country. Up until recently, all people entering the country were required to carry test results with them or have administered at the airport if they were not tested prior to travel.

Key points:

 Negative COVID-19 test (PCR and/or serology) no longer required for entry.  Travelers are still subject to other COVID-19 health screenings, including temperature checks, at the airport.  Any person leaving the Dominican Republic may be asked to fill out the following health declarations and customs forms: Passenger Locator Form (English/Spanish); Traveler Health Affidavit (English/Spanish); Traveler Instructive Commitment (English/Spanish.)

The Dominican Republic extended its state of emergency until Oct. 18 and curfew until September 27. The curfew is strictly enforced and is different in each city. Travelers must carry their airline ticket, travel itinerary and passport while en route to and from an airport. Anyone visiting immigration centers should be prepared to follow health protocols currently in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Bahrain - Visa on arrival services resume What is the change?

Bahrain has resumed visa on arrival services for foreign nationals from 68 countries.

 Nationals from this list of countries are eligible for visas on arrival. Citizens of Gulf Cooperation Council countries are also eligible for visas on arrival, with the exception of those from Qatar. Qatari nationals must obtain a visa before entering Bahrain.  Though visa on arrival services have resumed for many travelers, entry remains restricted to the following: o Bahraini citizens and residents. o GCC citizens not requiring a visa. o Travelers eligible for visa on arrival or who have valid eVisas. o Military personnel. o Diplomats. o Individuals with UN, official or service passports.  All travelers entering Bahrain must obtain a COVID-19 PCR test upon arriving and pay for it themselves. Travelers who have been tested must wait in self- isolation for their test results. Those who stay in Bahrain for 10 days or more must obtain a second COVID-19 PCR test on the tenth day after arriving. Bahrain suspended visa on arrival services in March to mitigate the spread of COVID- 19.

The resumption of visa on arrival services for nationals from 68 countries will allow more travelers to enter Bahrain. Travelers should note, however, the that these visas are only for tourism. Business travelers must obtain a sponsored e-visa before traveling to Bahrain.

New Zealand - INZ begins processing some relationship- based visas What is the change? Immigration New Zealand has begun processing some relationship-based visas for foreign nationals abroad. The move is the latest step INZ has taken to ease some COVID-19 entry and immigration restrictions.

INZ is now processing and issuing the following offshore, relationship-based visas.

 Partnership – Visitor (Partnership)  Partnership – Visitor (Culturally Arranged Marriage)  Partnership – Work (Partnership)  Partnership – Resident (Partnership)  Partnership – Resident (Partnership – Partner of an Expatriate)  Dependent Child – Visitor (Child of New Zealand citizen/resident)  Dependent Child – Visitor (Adopted child)  Dependent Child – Student (Child of New Zealand citizen/resident)  Dependent Child – Resident (Family child dependent)  Dependent Child – Resident (Family child dependent – Dependant of an Expatriate)

Those who are granted a visa in one of these categories will be not be subject to the normal COVID-19 entry restrictions. They will not be required, for example, to obtain permission from INZ to travel to New Zealand and will not have to provide an Expression of Interest for an exception.

Successful applicants will be granted a six-month period to enter New Zealand and activate their visas. This will allow travellers more time to arrange flights and plans to isolate or quarantine upon arriving in New Zealand. INZ may request additional or updated information for applications that were lodged more than three months prior to when INZ assesses them. This may include updated partnership evidence or a new chest x-ray for applicants traveling from countries with high rates of tuberculosis.

INZ also said last week that it is processing but not yet issuing the following visas.

 Refugee Family Support - Tiers 1 and 2  Migrant Investor (Investor 1 and 2), including Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for Investor 2  Parent Retirement  Entrepreneur

INZ said that while it will begin processing these applications, it cannot issue these visas under the current COVID-19 restrictions. By beginning processing, however, INZ may be able to more quickly issue these visas once restrictions are lifted. INZ said it would reject applications that do not meet immigration requirements and may request additional information as needed. INZ has taken steps to reopen to a growing number of foreign nationals, including waiving entry restrictions for some temporary work visa holders who normally reside in New Zealand and were outside the country when the border was closed earlier this year. While some relationship-based visas will now be processed, however, INZ said it will not yet process General Visitor Visa applications lodged on the basis of a relationship that does not meet applicable partnership requirements. These applications will be placed on hold until border restrictions permit them to be processed.

Italy - Testing required for entry for individuals traveling from French hot zones What is the change?

The Italian government is imposing additional entry requirements for individuals traveling from areas of France deemed to be high-risk for the spread of COVID-19, including Paris.

Key points:

 The new requirements apply to travelers coming from the following areas of France: Auvergne-Rodano-Alps, Corsica, Hauts-de-France, Île-de-France (including Paris), New Aquitaine, Occitania and Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur.  Any traveler coming from these regions must present negative COVID-19 test results from a test conducted within 72 hours of entry or undergo testing at the airport.  A 14-day mandatory quarantine period is also required for these travelers.  The requirement is mandatory until Oct. 7

The quarantine requirement has been lifted for travelers coming from Bulgaria. Serbian citizens, previously banned, have been cleared for entry into Italy.

Employers should check the latest travel requirements in Italy, as conditions on the ground continue to change.

China - Entry for foreign nationals holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters, and reunion What is the change?

With effect from 28 September 2020, foreign nationals holding valid Chinese residence permits for work, personal matters, and reunion will be allowed to enter China without applying for new visas. If their residence permits have expired after 28 March 2020, they may apply for the relevant visas by presenting their expired residence permits and supporting materials at Chinese embassies or consulates on the condition that the purpose of their visit to China remains unchanged.

More Information

Germany - Expired visa holders from Schengen countries should exit Germany by Sept. 30 What is the change?

The German Foreign Ministry has announced that foreign nationals with expired Schengen visas must leave Germany by Sept. 30 as more travel options have become available. Many of these foreign nationals had been stranded in Germany because of pandemic-related travel restrictions.

Key Points:

 Germany will not provide a further general extension for Schengen visa holders.  In special cases, where expired Schengen visas holder who are still unable to leave Germany because of special circumstances, authorities will use existing options provided for by the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz) to consider granting extensions. In April and again in June, German authorities announced they would honor expired Schengen visas because many foreign nationals were unable to leave the country at the time. The ministry announced last week that it would not provide another extension because travel restrictions have been eased and no countries are barring their own nationals from returning home.

Foreign nationals with expired Schengen visas must make plans to either depart Germany by Sept. 30 or obtain another legal basis to remain in the country.

Germany - Expired visa holders from Schengen countries should exit Germany by Sept. 30 What is the change?

Key Points:

Foreign nationals with expired Schengen visas must make plans to either depart Germany by Sept. 30 or obtain another legal basis to remain in the country.

Singapore - New business travel pass being piloted for senior executives in Singapore who need to go abroad regularly for work What is the change?

A new business travel pass is being piloted for senior executives in Singapore with regional or international responsibilities who need to travel overseas regularly for official and business purposes. Travellers on this pass, which is not country-specific, will be required to abide by a strict controlled itinerary when they travel abroad for work. Upon their return, the traveller will be given the option of doing a COVID-19 test in lieu of a Stay-Home Notice (SHN), and self-isolate until the test results are out. The number of passes will be strictly limited in the initial phase to ensure that public health outcomes of this pilot can be monitored.

More Information

Singapore - COVID-19 tests taken by travellers from India must come from recognised labs What is the change?

The negative COVID-19 test result that selected travellers from India must produce for entry into Singapore has to come from a recognised laboratory in India. These approved laboratories which process the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test results must be internationally accredited or recognised by the Indian Government.

This pre-departure test applies to travellers who are not Singapore citizens or permanent residents. All travellers from India who are allowed entry must also serve a 14-day Stay-Home Notice at a dedicated facility.

Additionally, from 23 September 2020, these travellers will also be required to take a serology test during the 14-day period. Serological tests are tests that look for antibodies–formed by the body to fight off infections–in blood samples. The presence of antibodies will indicate if a person had previously been infected with COVID-19.

More Information

Thailand - Foreigners to prepare for departure or submit application for visa extension What is the change?

Short-term visa holders (TR, TS, VOA), including those who have been granted visa exemptions, are required to prepare for departure from Thailand by 26 September 2020, with the following exceptions:

 In cases of illness: present a medical certificate at a local immigration office.

 In cases where there are a lack of flights or outbreak situations: contact an embassy or consulate to issue a letter of confirmation, and present it at a local immigration office to request for a temporary stay extension of no more than 30 days.

Long-term visa holders are required to submit an application for extension in accordance with a reason of necessity for each visa type. Applications for extensions may be submitted at local immigration offices until 26 September 2020, with all visa extensions effective from 27 September 2020.

More Information

Thailand - Visa Amnesty expires on 26 September 2020, foreign individual has to exit the country within the due date. What is the change?

Due to the COVID-19 related travel difficulties, Thai Government has approved another grace period until 26 September 2020, in order to allow stranded foreign individual who holds a temporary visa status of all visa types, i.e. tourist, transit, national waiver visa, or visa on arrival to stay in Thailand. This measure is related to the first automatic-visa extension that was announced in late March.

The foreign individual must prepare for departing Thailand within 26 September 2020, unless there is an inability to leave the country within such date. In this event, the visa extension can be applied at the local Immigration Bureau under the established criteria listed below from 1 August to 26 September 2020. The permission date of all visa types will be effective from 27 September 2020.

1. In case of illness, the patient who requires medical treatment may apply for the extension and in this case the Medical certificate is required. 2. In case of other inabilities, i.e. no flights available, or the destination country is facing the outbreak of COVID-19, the foreign individual shall contact the Embassy or Consulate of his/her citizenship in Thailand for the issuance of a letter of confirmation as well as to request for such foreign individual to temporarily stay in Thailand for an additional period of not exceeding 30 days. 3. Long-term visa holders have to submit an application for extension in accordance with a reason of necessity of each visa type.

The decisions on approval and period granted shall be at the sole discretion of the Immigration officer on a necessity-based and on a case-by-case basis.

How will this affect you?

In the event of a failure to depart from Thailand within 26 September 2020 and having visa extended, such foreign individual shall be subject to the following penalty under the Immigration Act B.E. 2522 for overstaying in Thailand;

 Such foreign individual shall be subject to a fine of THB 500 per day, but not exceeding THB 20,000 in total and;  Such foreign individual may face the deportation and the black list status detailed in the table below;

In case of foreign individual surrendering to authorities;

The period of overstay The period of Entry ban More than 90 days 1 year More than 1 year 3 years More than 3 years 5 years More than 5 years 10 years

In case of foreign individual being arrested or prosecuted;

The period of overstay The period of Entry ban Less than 1 year 5 years More than 1 year 10 years

As the COVID-19 situation is unpredictable, the temporary measures remains fluid, and are subject to change and may be adjusted as circumstances require. Sometimes certain measures that are announced are not instantly aligned with local agency practices so it would be prudent to double check depending on your situation.

United Kingdom - Guidance for frontier workers released & UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services resume normal operations Guidance for frontier workers released What is the change?

The Home Office and UK Visas and Immigration have issued new guidance for frontier workers who want to continue working in the U.K. after the Brexit transition period comes to a close.

Frontier workers are EU, EEA or Swiss nationals who are employed or self-employed in the U.K. but live outside of it. The U.K. will switch to a new points-based immigration system on Jan. 1, 2021, when the Brexit transition period ends. Frontier workers who want to begin work in the U.K. after Jan. 1, 2021, will be required to apply for work authorization under the new points-based system, but those who have previously worked in the U.K. as a frontier worker will, in many cases, be able to maintain their status.

Key Points:  Frontier workers who are working in the country by Dec. 31, 2020, will be able to maintain their status, but will be required to apply for a frontier worker permit.  EU/EEA/Swiss nationals who previously worked as frontier workers in the U.K. may be able to maintain frontier worker status and obtain a frontier worker permit if, as of Dec. 31, they are: o unable to work because of an illness or accident; o involuntarily unemployed and looking for work in the U.K.; o involuntarily unemployed and in vocational training; o unemployed and in vocational training that is related to their previous work; o unable to work because of pregnancy or childbirth; or o on maternity or paternity leave and will return to their job, or find another job, at the end of their leave.  The U.K. will launch the frontier worker permit scheme later this year. Applications will be free and can be submitted from inside or outside the U.K.  Frontier workers will need a valid frontier worker permit, in addition to their passport or national ID card, to enter the U.K. beginning July 1, 2021.  Irish nationals will not be required to obtain a frontier worker permit. They may continue working next year and thereafter under the Common Travel Area (CTA) arrangement between the U.K. and Ireland.  Non-U.K., non-Irish nationals who wish to begin working as frontier workers on or after Jan. 1, 2021, must obtain work authorization under the U.K.’s new points-based immigration system.

Analysis & Comments: Employers with employees who live in another country are encouraged to work with Deloitte to make sure those who are eligible to maintain their status do so and obtain the necessary frontier worker permit by the July 1 2021 deadline.

UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services resume normal operations What is the change?

The UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services have resumed normal operations.

Key Points:  UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services (UKVCAS) customers are now allowed to begin booking appointments at UKVCAS Service Points after registering, including those who submitted their applications on or after 19 September 2020. Applicants who have submitted applications to UKVCAS between 12 – 18 September 2020 should have received an email by 23 September, inviting them to book a UKVCAS appointment or to download and use the UKVCAS IDV app.  Customers can book their appointments now. Free and chargeable appointments are available until Oct. 25.  However, T4 students cannot book appointments at this time. T4 students should wait for a confirmation email from UKVCAS regarding next steps. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) is making determinations about which students are eligible for biometric reuse and using the IDV app. Students who registered with UKVCAS by email should monitor their email for messages from UKVCAS about booking an appointment or downloading the IDV app. After receiving such emails, it will be possible for students to book appointments or download the app. Students who submit the applications using the IDV app or at an UKVCAS appointment will have all their supporting information sent to UKVI in 24 hours. Applications will be processed based on the date of registration with UKVI/UKVCAS.

Analysis & Comments: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to develop, and Deloitte will provide additional updates as information becomes available. Please check Deloitte’s COVID-19 Digital Map, available here, for information on travel restrictions and immigration changes in other countries.

Brazil - Foreign national land and water entry ban extended again What is the change?

Brazil recently announced another 30-day extension of the entry ban on foreign nationals entering the country by land or water transportation. This ban does not apply to air travel.

Key Points:

 The entry ban on foreign nationals entering Brazil by land or water transportation has been extended another 30 days from Sept. 24 to Oct. 23.  Foreign nationals are allowed to enter Brazil via air travel as long as they have valid immigration documents, including valid short stay visas.  Foreign nationals entering Brazil with a valid short stay visa which lasts for up to 90 days must still present the following before boarding their flights: health insurance which is valid in Brazil that covers the duration of their trip and provides a minimum of R$30,000 or about US$5,370 in coverage. It must also be signed in Portuguese, Spanish or English.  Previous arrival restrictions at all Brazilian airports have been lifted.  Regulatory authorities may issue further rules on health procedures, operations and vessels. Brazil announced a previous 30-day extension of the entry ban on foreign nationals entering the country by land or water transportation the first week of September.

Previous exceptions to land and entry restrictions remain in place for: Brazilian nationals; immigrants with definitive residence authorization; close family of Brazilian nationals (except for Venezuela nationals); foreign professionals working for international organizations; foreign employees with Brazilian government accreditation; passengers transiting through Brazil who will not leave the international area of the airport and will be permitted entry to their destination country; humanitarian travel; technical landings for refueling, provided restricted nationals do not disembark from the aircraft; and cargo transportation in compliance with current laws.

The suspension also does not apply to foreign maritime crew members who: (1) possess a Seaman’s Book granted under International Labor Organization Convention terms; (2) are required to enter the country by the maritime agent to the Federal Police in order to perform certain duties while on a vessel or a platform operating in Brazilian jurisdictional waters; and (3) possess an entry visa if required.

Extending the entry ban on foreign nationals entering from land and water transportation will temporarily halt their movement into the country by these means. Previous entry exceptions remain in place and the ban extension does not apply to air travel.

Malaysia - Latest updates on entry restrictions for foreign travellers to Malaysia What is the change?

With effect from 21 September 2020, expatriates in the following categories will be allowed to enter Malaysia:

1. Residence Pass-Talent (RP-T), and their dependants.

2. Employment Pass (Category EP I, II, and III).

3. Professional Visit Pass (PVP).

4. Dependant Pass to expatriates of all categories.

5. Long Term Social Visit Pass (LT-SVP) to expatriates of all categories.

6. Foreign Maids to expatriates of all categories.

They will be required to apply for Entry Permission or Approval to Exit and Return to Malaysia via the MYEntry system. Expatriates who wish to exit Malaysia without returning during the Recovery Movement Control Order (RMCO) period may proceed without applying for approval via MYEntry. For more details on the entry requirements and procedures, please refer to the link below.

More Information

Hong Kong - Updated list of specified high risk places What is the change?

Under the Prevention and Control of Disease (Regulation of Cross-boundary Conveyances and Travellers) Regulation (Cap.599H), travellers from high risk places are to meet specified conditions before boarding a flight to Hong Kong. With effect from 1 October 2020 until further notice, the list of high risk places–which currently includes Bangladesh, Ethiopia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, South Africa, and US–will also be updated to include the UK. For more information on the requirements for inbound travellers from these high risk places, please refer to the link below.

More Information

Iraq - Foreign travel ban announced What is the change?

Iraqi authorities will ban entry to Iraq for visitors from all countries but will relax several internal restrictions.

Key Points:

 Authorities will ban entry for visitors from all countries because of recent COVID-19 developments.  Within Iraq, they will allow the reopening of mosques, houses of worship, public parks and amusements parks, but only if they follow Ministry of Health preventative health measures and social distancing rules.  Youth and sports activities without spectators were allowed to resume Sept. 9. The entry ban for visitors from all countries will halt foreign inbound travel to Iraq and will remain in place until further notice.

Kazakhstan - Foreign nationals’ visas extended due to pandemic What is the change?

Kazakhstan has extended visa expiration dates until Nov. 1 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Points:

 Visas and other legal documents with expiration dates between March 16 and Nov. 1 will remain valid through Nov. 1.  The extension covers foreign passports, visas of any kind, temporary residence permits, residence permits and work permits.  Foreign nationals without a visa may also legally stay in Kazakhstan until Nov. 1. For those who intend to stay beyond Nov. 1, the inviting part must apply for an extension of stay before that date.  Foreign nationals who are family members of Kazakhstan citizens may apply for a C2 category family reunion visa.  Employers have until Nov. 1 to apply for C3 category visa for foreign nationals for whom they previously obtained a permit.  Foreign nationals have until Nov. 1 to apply for a residence permit. They can do so even if the documents from the country of residence are expired.  The government is waiving the requirement to be in Kazakhstan for 183 day for a residency permit. Permit holders who are aboard will not have time counted against them until after Nov. 1.

Air travel is Kazakhstan remains limited. Only citizens with permits or foreign nationals with some exemptions can travel. Additionally, flights are currently limited to a handful of countries.

Taiwan - Entry applications for mainland Chinese spouses What is the change?

With effect from 24 September 2020, mainland Chinese spouses of Republic of China nationals, and their underage children accompanying them, may apply to the National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of Interior to enter Taiwan for family reunion purposes. Those eligible for entry must undergo a 14-day home quarantine period upon entry.

More Information

El Salvador - International air travel resumes, entry for foreign nationals What is the change?

International travel to El Salvador has resumed, with the airport reopening on Sept. 19.

Key points:

 Permanent residents and foreign nationals must show their airlines a negative PCR test result issued within 72 hours of departure before they can board their flight.  Crew members, diplomats and children ages 2 and under are exempt from this requirement.  There is no quarantine required if the COVID-19 test results are negative. Consular appointments and services are available but limited at this time.

Kenya - Amnesty lifted for foreign nationals that stayed over six months What is the change?

Kenya recently lifted an amnesty granted to foreign nationals who were in the country when its COVID-19 travel ban was implemented in March.

Key Points:

 Under a change that took effect Sept. 14, foreign nationals who have been in Kenya for more than six months must leave within two weeks or apply for a residency permit or residency pass to continue their stay. Departure should be by Sept. 28 but visitors passes are still being extended/deferred so there’s no specific date required for exiting. Those who don’t comply will be penalized per the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.  Visas may be extended online but the duration of the extension will vary at the discretion of the immigration official who reviews the request. The duration of the extension also depends on whether there is an ongoing application for a residency permit. For foreign nationals without ongoing residency applications, extension of visas is being deferred for two weeks to allow them to exit Kenya.

International travel resumed in Kenya on Aug. 1 Employers are encouraged to review the immigration status of expatriate employees and their dependents to ensure that they comply with immigration rules and are not unlawfully in Kenya. Failure to comply with the rules could result in penalties under the Kenya Citizenship and Immigration Act.

For the latest country-specific travel restrictions and immigration information in relation to COVID-19, visit gowork.ges.deloitte to view Deloitte’s Digital travel Map.

This publication has been written in general terms and we recommend that you obtain professional advice before acting or refraining from action on any of the contents of this publication. Deloitte AG accepts no liability for any loss occasioned to any person acting or refraining from action as a result of any material in this publication.

Deloitte AG is an affiliate of Deloitte NSE LLP, a member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (“DTTL”). DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL and Deloitte NSE LLP do not provide services to clients. Please see www.deloitte.com/ch/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

Deloitte AG is an audit firm recognised and supervised by the Federal Audit Oversight Authority (FAOA) and the Swiss Financial Market Supervisory Authority (FINMA).

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