The Ministry of Labour and Social Development (MLSD) has recently made several significant changes to its rules for issuing block visas and work visas, to the “Nitaqat” Saudization system and to the expat levy.
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SWITZERLAND – Transitional Period for Croatians Extended to End of 2021
On 7 December 2018, the Swiss federal council announced it will maintain until 31 December 2021 the transitional provisions of Protocol III, which extended to Croatian nationals the Agreement on Free Movement of Persons (FMPA) between Switzerland and the European Union.
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SWITZERLAND – Transitional Period for Croatians Extended to End of 2021
This alert was prepared using information provided by Sgier und Partner.
SAUDI ARABIA – Labour Market Testing Requirement Suspended
Effective immediately, the Saudi Ministry of Labor has suspended the requirement for companies intending to hire foreign nationals to first advertise jobs on the Taqat jobs portal before applying for block visas (expatriate quota).
At the same time, the Ministry has announced a fast track visa service for companies who have a high Saudization rate to be able to obtain visas immediately, and has allowed companies in the medium green saudization category to apply for block visas provided that it does not lower the company’s Saudization category. This was previously restricted to the high green and platinum categories only.
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SAUDI ARABIA – Labour Market Testing Requirement Suspended
This news alert was prepared with information provided by Innovation SA and Proven.
SWITZERLAND – Increase in Work Permit Quotas for 2019
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to increase the work permit quotas for 2019.
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SWITZERLAND – Increase in Work Permit Quotas for 2019
This alert was prepared using information provided by Sgier und Partner.
SWITZERLAND – New Integration and language requirements for residence permits
The Swiss Federal Council has approved a package of legislative amendments which, effective 1 January 2019, will allow the authorities to demand that foreign nationals applying for residence permits sign a cultural integration agreement and demonstrate a certain level of language skill.
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SWITZERLAND – New Integration and language requirements for residence permits
This alert was prepared using information provided by Sgier und Partner.
SWITZERLAND – Reminder: Obligation to Advertise Certain Jobs Now Effective
Effective 1 July 2018, employers wishing to hire foreign nationals for occupations with an unemployment rate of 8% or above have to test the Swiss labour market by advertising. This threshold will be lowered to 5% from 1 January 2020.
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SWITZERLAND – Reminder: Obligation to Advertise Certain Jobs Now Effective
This alert was prepared using information provided by Convinus and Sgier und Partner.
SWITZERLAND – Federal Council Confirms Initial List of Occupations Requiring Labour Market Test
On 23 May 2018, the Swiss Federal Council confirmed the initial list of occupations for which, from 1 July 2018, employers wishing to hire foreign nationals will have to test the Swiss labour market by advertising.
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SWITZERLAND – Federal Council Confirms Initial List of Occupations Requiring Labour Market Test
This alert was prepared using information provided by Sgier und Partner.
UNITED KINGDOM – Universal Jobmatch to be Replaced by ‘Find a Job’
It has been officially announced that Universal Jobmatch – a government website used by UK recruiters and Tier 2 licensed sponsors to advertise jobs – is being replaced by the ‘Find a Job’ service.
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UNITED KINGDOM – Universal Jobmatch to be Replaced by ‘Find a Job’
This news alert was prepared with information provided by Newland Chase.
SWITZERLAND – Government Extends “Safeguard Clause” Limiting Residence Permits for Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to extend, for the year from 1 June 2018, the quota on Romanian and Bulgarian nationals (EU-2) of 996 long-term B permits, released quarterly.
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SWITZERLAND – Government Extends “Safeguard Clause” Limiting Residence Permits for Bulgarian and Romanian Nationals
This alert was prepared using information provided by Sgier und Partner.
MOROCCO – Fewer Intra-Company Transfers Qualify for Exemption from Labour Market Testing
In the last few weeks, the Ministry of Labour in Morocco has tightened the qualifying criteria for the intra-company transfer work permit process. The ICT process exempts employers from obtaining approval from the Agence Nationale de Promotion de l’Emploi et des Competences (ANAPEC) certifying that no local Moroccan candidate suits the position.
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MOROCCO – Fewer Intra-Company Transfers Qualify for Exemption from Labour Market Testing
