Topia’s Immigration News & Solutions Roundup - December 2023
Welcome to the third installment of 'Navigating Business Immigration,' our series featuring the latest global developments in business immigration, from visa program updates and policy changes to the evolving immigration landscape. Join our in-house immigration experts as they report on immigration updates and how these are being implemented into Topia’s range of products and solutions.

China: Six Additional Countries Eligible for Visa Waiver Under New Pilot

China has introduced a pilot program that grants unilateral visa-exempt status to nationals of six countries. As of December 1, 2023, holders of ordinary passports from France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Spain can enter China visa-free for up to 15 days for business, tourism, transit, and personal visits. This policy will be in place until November 30, 2024. 

How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

We added these six countries to the 15-day visa waiver group in our assessment system. Assessment outcomes now show them as eligible for a visa waiver for stays of up to 15 days for allowable business visitor activities.

Ghana: All Travelers Eligible for Visa-on-Arrival During Holiday Travel Season
All visitors to Ghana between December 1, 2023 and January 15, 2024 are eligible to obtain a visa-on-arrival at all ports of entry instead of obtaining an entry visa in advance of travel. The authorities will issue a 30-day single-entry visa at the arrival airport, before immigration inspection, once the traveler pays the fee of USD 150. Travelers arriving after January 15, 2024 must hold an entry visa. 

How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

We added a notation to business visa outcomes explaining the temporary visa-on-arrival benefit and will remove the notation on January 15, 2024.

Malaysia: New Malaysia Digital Arrival Card Requirement 

Most foreign nationals traveling to Malaysia will need to obtain a Malaysia Digital Arrival Card (MDAC) online at least three days before arrival, starting on January 1, 2024. Malaysian permanent residents and Long-Term Pass holders, among others, are exempt. Travelers will need to present the MDAC with their passport at the port of entry. The MDAC is intended to expedite entry to Malaysia by reducing immigration inspection times. 

How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

We added a notation to all outcomes for Malaysia in our assessment system explaining the new requirement.

Sweden: Fast Track Processing Program Ends

Sweden’s Fast Track program, which has long provided registered companies with expedited processing, came to an end on December 15, 2023. On this date, a new four-tiered system for processing work permit applications was introduced. Originally, the new system was to take effect on January 29, 2024 but the effective date was moved up. The new system has the following four categories:

• Category A is for highly qualified professionals (those with a university degree or five years of experience) and has a standard processing time of 30 days.
• Category B is for intracompany transferees, Blue Card applicants, seasonal workers, artists and researchers, among others, and has a standard processing time of 90 days.
• Category C and D applications may take up to four months, as these require more in-depth assessment.

How has Topia addressed this in its immigration solutions?

We updated the Application Timeline section under Work Authorization in the Sweden country summary to indicate that the Fast Track option is no longer available and to provide details on the four categories of the new system. 

Topia’s Solutions for Immigration

 Global Immigration Library

Topia’s Global Immigration Library provides instant access to the most up-to-date domestic and global immigration information for almost 80 countries. This includes allowable business visitor activities, common work permit types and process steps, maximum durations of stay for both visitors and workers, and average visa and work permit processing times. The data that powers the library is provided by a network of the world’s top immigration experts. Learn more here.

Visa & Travel Risk Management

Topia’s visa and travel risk management tool allows business travelers and remote workers to perform their own pre-travel immigration assessments in real-time. The tool helps employees understand exactly which documents they will require to enter a country based on their nationality, duration of stay, and activities, i.e. a work permit, a business visa, an electronic travel authorization, or just a passport. Learn more here.

Topia’s immigration solutions enable assignees, remote workers, business travelers and their employers to stay compliant with global immigration requirements and to prepare for their immigration processes.

Want to know more about Topia’s immigration solutions? Reach out to info@topia.com to find out more.