A summary of the latest news on immigration policies of various countries in December

December is the last month of 2020, and one year has passed since the COVID-19 epidemic broke out around the world. Regarding the current nationwide epidemic situation, various countries have also made corresponding adjustments based on specific circumstances, made more specific plans for their respective entry and exit policies, and summarized their respective specific entry and exit policies.

Canada

Entry:

Recently, the Canadian government announced that it will extend the travel ban on non-essential entry to Canada until January 21 next year. However, Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as travelers with federal exemptions, are exempt from this ban.

The good news is that starting from November 30, Canada’s fingerprint record reservation service, which was suspended due to the epidemic, will resume. Applicants who have not received a phone call from Service Canada can also make an appointment online. The restored appointment system will make immigration application review and approval more efficient.

Exemptions from the collection of biometric information remain in effect for two categories of people: those applying for temporary status in Canada and those who have renewed their status within the past ten years or have submitted biometric information to Service Canada.

Exit:

Starting from December 1, Chinese and foreign passengers flying from Canada to China must present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test certificate sampled in Canada within two days before boarding. and serum-specific IgM antibody ("serum antibody" negative test certificate, apply to the Canadian Embassy or Consulate in Canada for a green health code with the "HS" or "HDC" logo.

: November local time On the 30th, the Greek Civil Aviation Authority announced the extension of a series of travel restrictions. For domestic flights in Greece, only international flights for health, family reunion and work reasons will still be allowed until December 7. Travel restrictions will be extended until December 14.

At the same time, all passengers entering Greece on international flights must have a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 72 hours. All entry and exit passengers must fill in the passenger location through the official website. Form (PLF). If the passenger fails to fulfill this obligation, the airline will be responsible for repatriating the passenger at its own expense.

Japan

Isolation for 14 days is no longer required upon entry.

Starting from November 30, the "Fast Track" for business exchanges between China and Japan will be officially opened. After applying for a "Fast Track" visa, short-term business travelers must submit a negative nucleic acid test certificate within 72 hours before entering Japan to be exempted from the 14-year period. Days of quarantine. With the opening of the "Fast Track", the Japanese Embassy has also officially opened B Channel (Fast Track) and R Channel visa applications. Persons who can apply for B Channel entry: Holders of short-term business entry, business management, skills practice, etc. Persons with specific types of long-term residence qualification certificates. Persons who can apply for R channel entry: short-term business entry, valid residence qualification holders (except "permanent resident spouse", "Japanese spouse", etc.

12 On March 1, Japan's Immigration Bureau also issued new regulations to allow foreigners without employment qualifications to work temporarily in Japan. The implementation targets of this measure include foreigners holding short-term visas such as tourism and business, and those who go to Japan to develop skills. Internships for foreigners cover approximately 21,000 people. However, foreigners who want to work in Japan must submit an application to the immigration bureau of the country where they are located.

Thailand

Visa conditions have been relaxed, and proof of deposit is not required for entry.

It is reported that Thailand is relaxing visa conditions so as to waive the need for proof of deposit. Previously, Thailand’s application for a “tourist visa” required “a deposit equivalent to 500,000 baht.” "Proof of property", but recently, many websites of Thai consulates overseas have canceled this requirement.

For example, the US Consulate in Los Angeles only requires a personal deposit of US$500, or a family deposit of US$1,500.

However, the current cost of going to Thailand is still quite high, such as medical insurance equivalent to US$100,000, hotel quarantine fee after arriving in Thailand, etc. The hotel cost is more than 40,000 baht, and only a few hotels cost 30,000 baht. about.

Thailand is still discussing the issue of reducing the quarantine time from 14 days to 10 days, but whether to implement it still needs to be discussed by relevant departments beforehand

According to the Argentine Chinese website, on November 30 , the director of Argentina’s National Immigration Service issued a decree: Foreign direct relatives of Argentine citizens can enter the country to reunite with their families.

Those who meet these conditions can enter Argentina through "special routes": Ezeiza International Airport, San Fernando Airport, Bugbus Terminal Port and Paso de los Liberes border crossing.

Before traveling, they must complete the "Electronic Affidavit for Entry into National Territory" on the official immigration website, provide proof of a negative polymerase chain reaction test within 72 hours before departure, and purchase the relevant Medical assistance insurance, including coverage for hospitalization and isolation due to COVID-19.

When boarding a plane or arriving at a border crossing, you must present a certified birth certificate, marriage certificate or certificate of cohabitation, as well as a copy of the identity document of your immediate family member in Argentina to prove your relationship to an Argentine citizen.

Local authorities will require them to submit an "application form" upon entry outlining the necessity of the visit, dates of departure and return, place of accommodation and any other relevant information required.

Argentina

Implemented a two-month entry restriction order.

Bulgarian Health Minister Angelov announced on November 30 that from December 1, 2020 to January 31, 2021, a number of restrictive measures will be implemented on people entering Bulgaria, and will apply At all points of entry for air, sea, road and rail transport. The specific contents mainly include:

1. Except for officially confirmed special circumstances, all passengers departing from third countries should present a negative PCR COVID-19 test result within 72 hours before being allowed to enter Bulgarian territory. ;

2. Passengers must be allowed to transit on the condition that they undertake to leave Bulgarian territory immediately;

3. Bulgarian citizens, persons with permanent or long-term residence rights in Bulgarian territory and their families Members who fail to submit a negative PCR COVID-19 test result within 72 hours after entry will be required to quarantine at home or other accommodation for 10 days according to Bulgarian official regulations;

4. If If a passenger infected with the new coronavirus is found on a plane landing in Bulgaria, the crew serving the passenger will be grounded and they will be quarantined at a designated location for 10 days.

Bulgaria

Entry: The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that the biometric system approved by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will be available in the United States starting on December 21, 2020. It is widely used at major airports and ports, mainly for foreign citizens entering or exiting the country.

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Starting from November 26, all passengers entering Los Angeles. Passengers (including those with U.S. citizenship and those entering California from other U.S. states via Los Angeles are required to undergo a 14-day quarantine upon arrival. They can choose to undergo quarantine at home or in a permitted quarantine location such as a hotel.

If you fail to declare as required, you will face a fine of US$500 and corresponding penalties after arriving in Los Angeles.

Exit:

On November 12, American Airlines reopened flights. Passenger flights to China. This will also increase the total number of flights between American Airlines and China to 10 flights per week.

Currently, in addition to American Airlines, United Airlines and Delta. The airline operates four weekly flights to and from China. Delta now operates four weekly flights between China and the U.S., as well as international flights from Detroit to Shanghai and Seattle to Shanghai (both via Seoul Incheon Airport). For United Airlines also maintains four flights per week between China and the United States, departing from Shanghai to San Francisco every Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.

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In addition, since February 2020, the embassy and consulates in China have continuously announced the cancellation of interview appointments. The latest news: From November 30 to December 11, all interview appointments in the United States have been cancelled.

As things stand, U.S. visa interviews will continue to be canceled indefinitely. Don't know when it will return to normal.

Starting from 0:00 on December 1, 2020, the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United States will review and issue health declaration QR codes with the "HDC" logo for foreign passengers flying from the United States to China. Foreign tourists can log in to the /H5/ website through a computer or mobile phone, fill in information online, declare health conditions, upload double-negative test certificates, personal passports, travel itineraries and other materials. After approval by the Chinese Embassy and Consulates in the United States, a health declaration QR code with the "HDC" logo will be issued through this website. Foreign passengers are required to present the electronic or printed QR code of the health declaration for airline inspection.

United States

Entry:

People who can enter directly without a visa include:

Australian citizens

Australian permanent residents

Immediate relatives of Australian citizens or permanent residents

New Zealand citizens and their immediate relatives who ordinarily reside in Australia

In New Zealand before arriving in Australia by air People staying for 14 days or more.

Australian recognized diplomats, including their immediate family members (each family member must hold a valid subclass 995 visa)

People staying in Australia for 72 hours or less

Aviation crew, seafarers

Under the government-approved Seasonal Worker Scheme or the Pacific Labor Scheme

Persons holding Business Innovation and Investment (Subclass 188 visas<). /p>

On November 20, Australia announced that it would allow international students to enter the country for the first time.

The first batch of visa-free entry arrived on November 30.

After arriving at the airport. , all international students will go directly to the Howard Springs quarantine facility to begin their 14-day quarantine

Exit:

Travel bans remain in place since Australia's international borders closed on March 20 this year. Effectively, residents must obtain an exemption from the Department of Home Affairs to travel abroad

Although Australia has not yet opened its borders, it is likely to reopen its borders with the Asia-Pacific region within a few months

2020. Starting from November 8, 2020, Chinese and foreign passengers flying from Australia to China are required to present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test certificate sampled in Australia and a serum-specific IgM antibody test certificate (hereinafter referred to as the negative serum IgM antibody test certificate) two days before boarding. Double negative certificate, apply for a green health code or health status declaration with the "HS" logo

Australia

Entry:

There are currently only a small number of people in New Zealand. Can enter New Zealand. Currently, there are four categories of people:

- New Zealand citizens or permanent residents

- Residents with valid travel conditions, unless you have a residence visa outside of New Zealand and have previously Never been to New Zealand

-Spouse or child of a New Zealand citizen or resident who already holds a visa

-Diplomat working in New Zealand

but required. Note that children with temporary residence permits as family members must be under 20 years old, and those with residence permits must be under 25 years old.

From November 2, some international students and travelers can apply for visa-free entry.

As of the end of November, 194 doctoral students from 45 countries have confirmed their visas to return to New Zealand. These students are from China, the United Kingdom, the United States, India, Vietnam, Iran, Pakistan, Nigeria, Italy and France.

Exit:

On November 30, the Chinese Embassy in New Zealand issued on its official website the "Notice on the requirement for passengers taking flights from New Zealand to China to undergo double testing of novel coronavirus nucleic acid and serum antibodies" ", decided that starting from December 10, 2020, passengers taking flights from New Zealand to China should complete the COVID-19 nucleic acid (PCR) and serum IgM antibody sampling tests within 2 days before boarding, and apply for health status with the negative reports of the two tests. Code (HS or Health Statement (HDC.

New Zealand

Entry:

On October 29, Singapore announced the lifting of border restrictions on China and launched AirTravelPass to all mainland tourists in China. Starting from November 6, people entering Singapore from China will be exempted from the 14-day quarantine upon arrival as long as their nucleic acid test is negative!

In addition, applicants entering Singapore have only one requirement: they have only stayed in Chinese or Australian cities in the past 14 days.

Tourists must apply 7-30 days before their scheduled entry date. The approval time is about 3 working days, the application fee is free, and the air pass is only valid for 8 days.

However, Singapore citizens, permanent residents and long-term permit holders do not need to apply. It should be noted that long-term permit holders still need to apply for an entry permit from the Immigration Bureau

The Chinese Embassy in Singapore recently issued the "Regarding the Cancellation and Regulation of Direct Boarding of Passengers Going to China with a Uniform Format Test Certificate" "Notice on Sampling Methods for Serum IgM Antibody Testing" requires that starting from December 1, the practice of domestic passengers boarding directly with a unified examination certificate will be cancelled.

Because of this, tourists from Singapore to China can no longer board the plane directly with a unified examination certificate. Chinese citizens (including people from Hong Kong, Macao and Taiwan) must apply to the embassy for a green health code with the "HS" logo, and foreign tourists must apply to the embassy for a green health declaration QR code with the "HDC" logo and use the code to board the plane.

Singapore

Recently, British Prime Minister Boris announced the second lockdown of the UK.

However, international flights will not stop and the UK will not close its borders. Only travel is restricted, not entry and exit.

Item:

British officials announced that starting from December 15, if the COVID-19 test report of passengers entering the UK is in the third period of self-isolation. If negative for five days, the quarantine will end. The test will be paid for at your own expense and you should make an appointment at a government-designated private testing institution. This means that the quarantine period for a large number of students flying to the UK at the end of the year will be shortened from 14 days to 5 days.

Exit:

In order to reduce the cross-border spread of the COVID-19 epidemic, Chinese and foreign passengers flying from the UK to China from November 7, 2020 must present a negative COVID-19 nucleic acid test certificate and serum specificity IgM antibody negative certificate (hereinafter referred to as double negative certificate) apply for a green health code or health status statement with the "HS" logo.

Finally, I would like to remind everyone that the current epidemic is unpredictable. Please pay attention to the latest policies in a timely manner , travel with caution to avoid delaying your trip or causing unnecessary financial losses.