Expatriates who plan on entering Singapore through a corporate immigration program will need to heed the new changes to the country's work permit requirements, which take effect in September, according to the Singapore Ministry of Manpower.

Those looking for an S Pass and Employment Pass will need to have a higher salary in order to sponsor a dependent, as the minimum has increased to S$4,000 (USD $3,163). Before the government's changes, the lowest level was S$2,800 (USD $2,232). If the transferee does not have the new fixed rate or higher, they will be unable to bring dependents into the country with them.

Other changes are important for transferees planning to bring extended family with them. Those with a P1 Pass will not be able to bring in their spouse's parents, but will be able to bring their parents, children and their spouse. Those with a P2 Pass won't be able to bring their parents or their spouse's parents. Spouses and children will still be allowed.

The Ministry of Manpower added that those who are already in Singapore before September will not be affected by these rules. However, corporations may want to reexamine their plans with respect to transferees planning to bring family members with them.

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The U.S. State Department updated its travel warning on July 11 for those traveling to the Central African Republic, and the information may affect African corporate immigration programs.

The guidance is unchanged from the previous warning in January, beyond the fact that the embassy has altered contact information.

Dangers in the Central African Republic include militia groups, poachers and bandits. In addition, the local government does not have the ability to guarantee a transferee safety within the nation's borders. Both foreign nationals and citizens have been targets of violence outside the city of Bangui, and the capital also suffers from significant crime levels.

While there is an American embassy in Bangui, it is not able to be much help in an emergency due to limited staffing. Americans travelling to the CAR are urged to avoid all demonstrations, and to stay abreast of media coverage of local events.

American citizens have also been arrested and jailed without a proper trial in the country, and prison conditions are difficult, at best. Contact between the local government and the U.S. Embassy is minimal in these situations, making caution at all times from transferees critical.

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The Kingdom of Bahrain announced Friday, July 6 that it has extended its suspension of fees levied on foreign workers through the end of this year, which may impact many companies with pending corporate immigration transfers.

Bahrain's Labor Market Regulatory Authority formerly required a fee for non-citizens who entered the country through a work program, but this was stopped in April of last year in order to help companies with expatriates in the country and had struggled due to both a difficult economy and local unrest.

Currently, the plan is to keep the fee inactive for the rest of the year, as this will give Bahrain more time to discuss the long-term plans. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, along with the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs, aim to complete an evaluation which will determine whether it is a good idea to reactivate the fee.

In addition to the study, Bahrain's Chamber of Commerce and Industry was given the duty to help seek out alternate plans to potentially replace the fee. The final decision regarding whether or not to revisit the fee will be presented to the government toward the end of the year for a final decision.

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The National Assembly of Vietnam recently ratified a new version of the country's labor code, and changes to visa requirements will directly affect transferees who plan to immigrate to the country.

The country stated that the maximum work permit for expatriates entering the country is now two years instead of the previous three.

In addition, there was initially a work permit exception rule for those who enter the country and work for fewer than 90 days. This is no longer the case, as the only people who can do this are workers in the country under special circumstances, and it is only available if qualified local workers do not exist.

Vietnam also approved one extra day of paid leave from work for transferees in the country for their country's national holiday and their New Year's celebration. This would give Americans January 1 and July 4 – or the closest business day – off from work.

The new labor code will come into effect next May. Those managing corporate immigration plans to Vietnam may want to evaluate their situations, as some adjustments to previous plans may need to be made in light of the shorter visas available.

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The United Kingdom Home Office’s Border Agency altered its applications for those who overstayed leave by more than a month on June 29, and the new rules could have an impact on those involved in a corporate immigration program with visa expiry dates approaching.

Starting in October, those who have overstayed in the UK by more than 28 days will be refused any further applications to stay in the country.

The alteration will include those in multiple visa programs such as visiting routes, long residency routes, students, workers, those who claim ancestry in the UK and the country’s point-based system, as well. Those who were discharged from the British armed forces are also included.

The UK’s immigration rules for family migration change in mid-July, and these changes are meant to work in tandem. The government warned those who are legally in the country and have leaves expiring need to be proactive to extend their leave at the earliest possible point.

The penalties for inaction are much more inconvenient. Those who overstay past the 28-day mark and then need to remain in-country need to physically leave the UK and then reapply for a visa.

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The Australian government has agreed to loosen immigration requirements for expatriate graduates of the country’s universities by allowing work visas for these students.

Initially, only students studied a handful of subjects were able to later take advantage of the country’s work visa program for a period of 18 months. Now, any student who is not a resident of the Oceanian country that graduates can qualify for a work visa lasting between two and four years.

“These arrangements are not linked to skilled migration, so applicants for this visa would not be required to nominate an occupation on the skilled occupation list or undertake a skills assessment,” said a spokeswoman for Chris Bowen, Australia’s immigration minister.

The changes may affect companies with Australian interests in terms of corporate immigration, hiring and recruitment.

Those who plan to apply for the visa need to be able to have a working understanding of English, as well as health insurance coverage. Beyond this, it is necessary to pass multiple background checks to gain approval.

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A government initiative in China may change some companies’ evaluations of projects involving corporate immigration, as the minimum work permit requirement would decline from 180 days to 90 days.

The National People’s Congress Standing Committee recently received the legislation, which could significantly alter global relocation plans for some companies, but the final details are still being worked out.

Companies considering transfers for shorter-term projects may be affected the most by the law, if it is passed. Every person who is not a Chinese citizen and enters the country must have a work visa, and those who stay longer than 90 days would be able to apply for a long-term residence certificate that lasts between six months and five years.

While the changes may open up opportunities for shorter-term project demands, they could also create less enthusiasm for some transferees, who may not wish to relocate for such a short period of time.

As the legislation has not been made law, it may be wise for companies with projects planned in China to keep an eye on these developments.

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The government of New Zealand has chosen to raise its immigration fees significantly starting next month, but this will only affect some transferees.

On July 2, total immigration fees will rise by 16.7 percent, which is due to increased costs absorbed by the country’s immigration services office. Despite the hike, approximately four in five visitors to the Oceanian nation won’t have to deal with these issues since visa fees are not required.

The U.S. does have a mutual fee waiver agreement with New Zealand. However, for those with a corporate immigration plan there, it may be important to examine what the effect would be for that company’s employees and make sure they meet waiver guidelines.

New Zealand immigration officials also announced their selections for expression of interest applications, choosing 583 candidates from 1,241 applications. India and the Philippines accounted for the highest percentage of applications, with 27 and 10 percent of applicants, respectively. The U.S. made up 2.3 percent.

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A recent announcement from the U.S. Department of State warned Westerners of the high-risk nature of traveling to Afghanistan and urged all who need to travel there to be cautious. Any company with business interests there should take extreme care with transferees.

The update was created to show travelers the importance of vigilance in the area, as security risks are still very much a concern, the government said. Nearly every part of Afghanistan has the potential for violence. There are still multiple terrorist and paramilitary groups operating there, and Westerners can be targeted without warning. Furthermore, the country has ongoing issues with landmines, improvised explosive devices and kidnappings.

Multiple Westerners have been kidnapped in the country during the past several months, with varying outcomes. In addition, anti-American demonstrations and riots can occur frequently. The government also warned that emergency consular services may be limited, particularly outside of the capital of Kabul.

Companies involved in corporate immigration initiatives to Afghanistan and other unstable places should carefully consider the the necessary security protections required.

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The U.S. Department of State recently updated its travel alert for Bahrain, which may have some effect on those companies who have global relocation interests in the Middle Eastern country.

While the information has not changed from the last alert, issued in April, the government warned Westerners to maintain increased vigilance when in the country. There have been a multitude of violent demonstrations, as well as crime against Westerners. At this juncture, no Americans have been affected, but it is vital for transferees in this area to be careful. Most recently, police used rubber bullets and teargas to break up a crowd in the capital of Manama on June 22.

Furthermore, many demonstrations have shown heightened levels of anti-American sentiment, so all Westerners should avoid these events completely, the Department of State explained. The American Embassy has ordered its workers to not visit some areas, and companies should extend the same warnings. If a person experiences any major problems in the area, it is important to alert the police as soon as possible.

Companies should do everything they can to keep their employees safe while in country, and in the case of a major incident, transferees should have a designated evacuation plan as well as a way to easily contact the embassy in Manama.

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