February 20, 2024
This week, the Smith Stone Walters Global Immigration team would like to highlight the following recent updates from Denmark, Japan, Norway, South Africa, Sweden and the United Arab Emirates.
Denmark: new application form for side employment and work permits for accompanying family members
The Danish International Recruitment and Integration Agency (SIRI) has announced that from February 14, 2024, a new printable application form will be available for those wishing to apply for a work permit for a “side job”. Announced. Since you are offered a job within the same company as your sponsor, you will need a work permit as your family companion.
The new format is called AR8. This form replaces the application forms AR1, AR3 and AR6/7 previously used for these two categories.
Applicants must use the new application form AR8 when applying for a work permit (not a residence permit) in Denmark if:
- They have a residence permit and a work permit based on work with a particular employer, and you want to take up additional work as a “side job” or
- You already have (or are currently applying for) a residence permit as a family member of someone who is working or intends to work in Denmark. Also, since I have received a job offer from the same company in Denmark, I need a work permit. If a family member (sponsor) works for a company that has a close relationship with the company where the sponsor works.
Current holders of work permits under either of these two schemes can apply for a work permit extension using the new AR8 form.
Please note that commuters cannot use the AR8 form. A commuter is someone who works in Denmark but lives abroad. Commuters should continue to use application form AR1, AR3 or AR6/7.
Japan: Digital nomad visa coming soon
It has been reported that Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has announced that it will introduce a six-month digital nomad visa in March 2024. Final terms, benefits, and application procedures have not yet been finalized, but the following details have been reported.
This visa is non-extendable and digital nomads cannot apply for another digital nomad visa within 6 months of leaving Japan. Holders can apply for a work visa while staying in Japan.
To apply, you must be working remotely for an employer outside of Japan and have an annual income of 10 million yen or more. Applicants must also be from one of the 49 countries whose nationals are exempt from Japanese visas and must be from a country that has a tax treaty with Japan. Digital nomads should also have traveler health insurance to cover their stay.
A Certificate of Eligibility is not required; you can apply directly to the Japanese Consulate General in your country of residence.
Digital nomads are not considered residents of Japan, so they cannot open bank accounts or rent long-term accommodation. However, there is no obligation to pay taxes in Japan. Families are allowed to bring their children, but they cannot enroll their children in Japanese schools.
The Immigration Services Agency is accepting public comments on the draft plan.
Norway: Abolition of au pair system
The Norwegian Directorate General for Immigration (UDI) announced that the government has decided to end the au pair system on March 15, 2024.
Applicants who have registered their application via udi.no and made an appointment to submit their application by March 15, 2024 may still be eligible to receive an initial au pair permit.
Current au pair permit holders may apply to renew their permit to change host families until the end of their two-year au pair permit period.
South Africa: Draft revised immigration law released
On 8 February 2024, the South African government published draft amendments to the Immigration Regulations, inviting public comment until 29 March 2024.
The main changes proposed are:
- A points-based work permit system will be introduced, assessing applicants’ work experience, job openings, qualifications, age, language skills, and ability to adapt within the Republic.
- A new digital nomad visa category has been proposed, with a validity period of three years, allowing the applicant to be accompanied by a family member, and a minimum income requirement.
- The draft proposal proposes a one-year critical skills visa, which includes a job offer and proof that an application for professional registration has been submitted (rather than proof that professional registration has been granted). Proof is required.
- Radiological reports will no longer be required for the medical clearance process.
- It has been clarified that a police clearance certificate is only required for the last five years of residence.
- It has been clarified that spouses and children of South African permanent residents or nationals are allowed to change their status within the country.
- Parents of South African children will also be allowed to change their status within South Africa.
Sweden: Proposed new minimum wage conditions for work permits
The Minister for Immigration has received a report commissioned by the Government, proposing tougher conditions for labor migrants.
Proposals being considered by the government include:
- New minimum salary requirements for non-EU workers. The report suggests that this should be set at the median national salary (currently SEK 34,200). Maintenance salary increased from SEK 13,000 to SEK 27,360 (80% of median salary) in November 2023.
- Exceptions to the median salary rule. There may be exceptions for certain occupations and regions where there is a serious labor shortage, as well as for new graduates.
- Changes in the highly qualified workforce. The report proposes changes to facilitate EU Blue Card and Intracompany Transfer Permit holders.
- Exclusion of certain occupations. It is proposed that the Swedish Immigration Board should annually notify the government of occupations where the regulatory system is seriously abused and should be excluded from the possibility of being granted a work permit.
The amendments to the Immigration Act are proposed to come into force on June 1, 2025.
UAE: New temporary work permit for medical professionals in Dubai
Dubai Health Authority (DHA) has launched the Permit to Practice initiative.
The initiative will allow health facilities in Dubai to obtain temporary permits for medical professionals who have not yet obtained full licensure. Pros can then practice at the facility for up to three months.
The medical director of a medical facility can apply for a practice license from the medical facility’s account.
- Temporary permits are non-renewable and non-transferable.
- A medical professional may be granted a temporary one-time authorization to practice.
- The authorization period is selected by the healthcare facility and the maximum authorization period is 3 months.
- Medical Directors may only submit one application at a time.
- Facilities are responsible for ensuring the availability of valid malpractice insurance to cover professionals who obtain temporary permits.
- The facility/medical director is responsible for all clinical/administrative services provided by licensed professionals.
- Dubai Health Authority reserves the right to immediately suspend or revoke a temporary medical license without notice if incorrect information is provided.
- Applications are subject to DHA review and if rejected, no refund will be applicable.
- Draft applications that are inactive for more than three months will be removed from your account. A 15-day reminder will be sent to your registered email.
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