By: Ajay Hasija

Brexit Postponed

United Kingdom (UK) and European Union (EU) government representatives have further postponed the UK’s exit from the EU until January 31, 2020, based on the UK parliamentary decision to hold general elections on December 12, 2019.

Germany: Prorating Allowances for Foreign Workers

New German regulations enable employers to prorate allowances for foreign employees based on the number of days they spend in Germany. Effective immediately, the regulation applies to all work permit categories.

Allowances are funds paid to employees in addition to their salary. Previously, employers had to pay allowances for the entire duration of the assignment, even during time that the employee did not spend in Germany. This move will reduce the cost of allowances for corporations sending workers to Germany.

China: Expansion of the Transit Visa Exemption

Effective December 1^st, 2019, China will extend its 144-hour transit visa exemption to more ports and regions. Newly opened cities include Chongqing, Xi’an, and Ningbo. Residents of 53 countries will benefit from this expansion of the visa exemption. Travelers must still have proof of travel to a third country to qualify.

Indonesia: Job Title Changes for foreign workers

Indonesia’s Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has issued a new regulation changing the permitted job titles available to foreign workers. Many job titles are consolidated, while new titles have also been added. Eligibility requirements have also changed for some job titles and industries. Employers should consult with their immigration professional to ensure their employees’ titles conform with new regulations.

Employers must specify their employee’s job title when initiating a work permit using the Foreign Manpower Utilization Plan (RPTKA) application.

For further information and international immigration assistance, contact globaldesk@chugh.com.