HRS COVID-19 Weekly Report
Summary: some countries have reinstalled restrictions as a consequence of new peaks in the number of positive cases after relaxation measures were implemented. Mobility continues to be restricted between countries. Borders re-opening dates are still uncertain in most locations. Non-essential businesses continue a slow re-opening with restrictions in some locations.
Argentina
32,785 positive cases, 862 deaths. Total Lockdown continues until June 28th. Argentinian frontiers continue to be closed even for Argentine residents living abroad, but repatriations continue to be gradually implemented. More testing is taking place and the amount of cases is increasing on a daily basis, especially in Buenos Aires and its surrounding areas.
Outings are permitted only for walks, not taking public transportation, and must at all times comply with the use of face masks, recommendations of hygiene and social distancing. The government is beginning to ease restrictions in some sectors such as the automotive, chemical and textile industries.
Factories may open but personnel is not allowed to take public transport to and from work. Employers need to coordinate transportation means for them. Prevention protocols must be implemented at the workplace and also for anyone going out, complying with the use of face masks, recommendations of hygiene and social distancing.
High fines are applied for breaking the quarantine without justification or special permits. Limited outdoor activities are authorized according to the policies and guidelines of each jurisdiction. In Buenos Aires runners are allowed out from 8:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. to do exercise.
Moving companies are allowed to deliver household goods as long as they have the corresponding permit, but can only do so on weekends. This news is yet to become official. The major train and subway terminals in Buenos Aires have thermo-graphic cameras to detect passengers with high fever.
Schools and universities continue to be closed. Classes are being delivered virtually in most establishments. National parks, theatres and cinemas continue to be closed. Banks are open and transactions can be made but only with previous appointments. Public and Administrative offices are closed until further notice.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration Offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Our team does the renewal and negotiation and the documents are signed virtually. If the company does not accept this, we coordinate signature using a delivery service to take the originals from one venue to another.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? It is kept on hold and renewal dates are pushed forward.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No.
Aruba
101 positive cases, 3 deaths (no changes from last week). The island keeps on the 3rd phase of local economy reopening scenario. The Prime Minister of Aruba has announced that the borders with the USA will be opened on July 10th 2020. As of June 15th the borders were reopened to travelers from Bonaire and Curacao, and for people from Aruba to travel out.
On July 1st the borders will be reopened to travelers from Europe, Canada and other Caribbean nations (with the exception of the Dominican Republic and Haiti). No date has been set for visitors from Latin America. Reopening of borders comes with some prerequisites for tourists for entry into Aruba as well as once in Aruba.
Requirements for entry:
Mandatory ED card* to be filled in – this will be available online as of June 25th at www.edcardaruba.aw
Self health declaration form to be submitted 72 hours prior to travel.
Visitors are encouraged to take a COVID-19 test (PCR) before traveling (in the US CVS and Rite-Aid do offer these tests) and to upload the test results to a new digital platform that the Aruba authorities are setting up or to bring their test proof with them. Alternatively, visitors will need to pre-pay for a mandatory test upon arrival in Aruba (price initially indicated at US$75).
Must have COVID-19 medical insurance coverage. (Aruba has arranged for insurance to be provided by insurance companies based in Aruba). An indication of the insurance cost was given by the Minister of Tourism and this was US$15 per insured person per day. It is also possible for a visitor to take out their own specific COVID-19 insurance coverage.
Must consent to cooperate with all Aruba’s COVID-19 procedures and instructions including testing (if applicable), quarantine etc.
Must wear a mask on the flight to Aruba (not required while vacationing on the island but recommended nonetheless where social distancing is more of a challenge).
Upon arrival there will be additional procedures at the Aruba airport:
Temperature screening.
Obligatory PCR testing of ALL arriving passengers (except for those who have previously submitted proof of a PCR test) and a mandatory 24-hour quarantine at the traveler’s accommodation while awaiting test results.
Visitors who have submitted proof of a negative test during their ED card application will receive a temperature check and health interview by a medical professional, and if cleared, no further testing or 24-hour quarantine will be applicable to them.
Visitors who test positive will be transported to alternative accommodations for isolation and will not be staying at their originally reserved accommodations until recovered, at which point they can resume their vacation or depart from Aruba.
Quarantine will be required for travel companions of a person who is suspected to be positive until the test results are available.
Travel companions of a person who is confirmed to be positive will need to go into quarantine for 14 days.
*The ED Card being referred to is not actually a card but the digital version of the Embarkation-Disembarkation Card that is handed out on flights to Aruba. The government has indicated that the ED Card website will be online on June 25th and aside from facilitating filling in the form digitally, it will also allow uploading of proof that a COVID-19 test has been done for persons who have taken the test before arriving in Aruba and wish to upload their proof beforehand. Proof can also be provided in a printed document upon arrival and that would also exempt one from needing to take the COVID-19 test here in Aruba.
The Aruba Government has stated that procedures are subject to change and updates will be provided accordingly.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration Offices in your country closed? No.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Yes, all of them.
How are you managing the renewal cases? They can be filed with the actual restrictions of personnel.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Each case is analyzed separately.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No official information available.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information available.
Barbados
97 positive cases, 7 deaths. Reopening of the local economy continues, businesses are mostly open with limited people inside premises, school remains closed. Barbados airport will remain closed to commercial flights until June 30th as previously stated.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration Offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Only follow up of in-progress files.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Renewal/extensions will be resumed as soon as the quarantine has finished.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Each case is analyzed separately.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information available.
Bolivia
19,073 positive cases, 632 deaths. The Government announced an extension of national quarantine measures through June 30th, 2020. Social distancing and the use of masks in public places remains obligatory. Monday to Friday: Persons and vehicles are prohibited from circulating between the nighttime hours of 18:00 and 5:00 but may circulate during the day with limits on the number of people inside.
Saturday and Sunday: Vehicles are prohibited from circulating. People may circulate on foot or bicycle within 500 meters of their home. Classes and other public events remain suspended. Religious events where the attendance is below 30% of the capacity of the meeting place are permitted.
International flights remain suspended. All borders remain closed. Returning Bolivian citizens and residents, diplomats, members of special missions and international organizations, technical specialists, and drivers of international goods and cargo are exempted from the border closure.
Inter-county, interprovincial, and interdepartmental transportation services will be determined by the appropriate authorities according to the determined risk level. Government and private offices, job sites, and services that are open must work a "continuous day" which means they will not close for lunch but instead will stop work several hours earlier in the afternoon.
Departmental and municipal governments will determine commercial activity and other services and activities not governed by the national decree, and may add restrictions as needed by local conditions.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration Offices in your country closed? No.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Renewal/extensions will be resumed as soon as the quarantine has finished.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Each case is analyzed separately. There is no official information about a common policy.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? Unknown.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information available.
Brazil
888,271 positive cases, 43,959 deaths. Some cities of Brazil have decreed lockdown. On May 22nd, 2020, the Minister of State Chief of Staff of the Presidency, Justice and Public Security, Infrastructure and Health has just published the Ordinance Act 255, exceptionally and temporarily restricting the entrance of immigrants in Brazil by air, regardless their nationality, for a period of 30 (thirty) days.
The measure is necessary due to the recommendation from the National Health Surveillance Agency (ANVISA) in order to combat the pandemic caused by COVID-19.
The restriction on foreigners entering the country does not apply to:
Brazilian, born or naturalized;
immigrant with permanent residence, for a fixed or indefinite period, in Brazilian territory;
foreign professional on mission at the service of an international organization, as long as duly identified;
foreign employee accredited by the Brazilian Government;
foreigner in the condition of: a) spouse, partner, son, father or curator of a Brazilian, b) whose entry is specifically authorized by the Brazilian Government in a clear public interest; and c) bearer of the National Migration Registry;
transport of goods;
Citizens coming from the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela are prohibited to enter in Brazil, even if they have (i) definitive residence, for a determined or indefinite period, in Brazilian territory; (ii) spouse, partner, child, father or curator of a Brazilian citizen; (iii) National Migration Registry and (iv) even if they are border residents in twin-cities.
For maritime and air transportation issues, some peculiarities must be specifically observed, such as: crew permanence, medical issues, unloading loads, connection for returning, technical landing, execution of humanitarian actions, among others.
The entry restriction of this Ordinance does not prevent the entry and stay of foreign maritime crew members holding an international maritime license issued under the terms of the International's Convention of Labor Organization, whose entry is required, by the maritime agent to the Federal Police, to perform specific functions on board a vessel or platform operating in judicial waters.
The seaman's book (identity card) may be replaced by a passport attributing seamanship status to its holder, provided that it is issued by a country signatory to the relevant International's Convention of Labor Organization.
Exceptionally, the foreigner who is in a land frontier country and needs to cross it to board a flight back to his country of residence may enter Brazil and go directly to the airport to receive authorization from the Federal Police, upon previous official request from the embassy or consulate of your country of residence, upon presentation of the corresponding air tickets.
Failure to comply with these measures will result in civil, administrative and criminal liability, as well as immediate repatriation or deportation and the disqualification of an asylum claim.
The Ministry of Justice and Public Security of Brazil, through the General Coordination of Labor Immigration (CGIL), published the Informative Note #02 on June 4th, 2020, making some technical comments on the exceptional entry and permanence of immigrants in Brazil under the working condition.
In this way, two situations are treated and deserve to be highlighted:
(i) Work Visa for Immigrants outside Brazil: During the validity of the rule regarding closing borders, the entry of immigrants is prohibited for those who have a work visa stamped on the passport and have never entered into Brazil, as well as those who entered and did not complete the registration.
They can travel to Brazil, once prove the immigration condition and carry the necessary documents.
In addition to the cases indicated above, only situations based on the public interest may be evaluated exceptionally by the Ministry of Justice, General Coordination for Labor Immigration.
This hypothesis does not exclude the need to apply for a visa / residence, so for all exceptions, there are two procedures to be observed: (i) visa / residence application submitted to the Ministry of Justice and (ii) authorization request for exceptional entry (due to the closure of borders).
(ii) Work Visa for Immigrants who are in Brazil: The residence periods already granted to immigrants are automatically extended due to the limited service provided by the Federal Police. Thus, the immigrant will not be held responsible for remaining in Brazil with the expired National Migration Registration Card (CRNM).
However, all renovation and transformation processes will normally be processed and decided by the General Coordination for Labor Immigration. Under this situation the following immigrants will be considered: (a) renew the term of residence permit for work and investment purposes; (b) change the term of residence permit for work and investment purposes and (c) immigrants who intend to transform visas.
These specific cases will be analyzed and published in the Official Gazette for subsequent registration before Federal Police Department, respecting the local rules of each Federal Police office regarding health issues and conditions of the pandemic.
In addition, the extended residence term (validation) will be contacted from the expiration’s date of previous residence, regardless of the date of publication in the Official Gazette or the day of registration before Federal Police.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? The Immigration Offices are operating only for emergency cases, the Ministry of Justice is analyzing the immigration processes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? The taxpayer number as well as the world booklet.
How are you managing the renewal cases? We still can file the renewal request, although the analysis may take longer than expected.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? It is allowed to require emergency travel permission according to the situation and the Brazilian Government will analyze the case.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? We still do not have this information, although considering the situation all over the world we believe they will not.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? We still do not have this information, although considering the situation all over the world we believe they will not.
Chile
179,436 positive cases, 3,383 deaths. Control measures for the entry of foreigners have been reinforced, only Chileans are allowed to enter Chile and foreigners with an actual residence (not in process). Curfew from 22:00 to 05:00 is still in place.
There are sanitary barriers in various cities along Chile with strict control of entry and exit. All non-essential businesses continue closed. Some state offices are attending but only special cases. Businesses that would be possible to perform remote work are doing so, but those that are strategically important continue to operate with minimal staff on shifts.
Use of face masks is now mandatory on public transportation. Some locations have implemented use of face masks mandatory while in the streets, but it is not countrywide yet. The Government has taken a new strategy doing massive tests on asymptomatic people, finding an increased positivity in the city of Santiago (about 85% of new cases are in Santiago).
In consequence, exit permits to those who are quarantined have been restricted to 7 permits per week per RUT. There are currently 20 quarantined communes in the country.
New status on Immigration procedures: All Consular processes are suspended at least for 1 month. There is not a fixed date to have the system available yet. All Chilean consulates are closed for visa processing. Immigration processing system in Chile is working and we continue processing new cases and monitoring cases in progress.
All tourist entrance must be extended before the due date.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Yes, the online processes are in force.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Permanent Residency renewals can be submitted online, as well as Visa renewal except from Visa Mercosur.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Up to this moment must do the regular renewal process or get a fine later.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? Yes, if they do not renew their status.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? Applying fines to companies is being reviewed on a case by case basis. It is possible that if it is the first time for this particular company, the fine can be avoided, but the record remains.
Colombia
53,168 positive cases, 1,808 deaths. Quarantine and control of the number of people in the streets is being tighten up due to a peak in COVID-19 cases in major cities. “Pico y Cedula” plan, which has been implemented before and was relaxed during the last weeks, now is going to be stricter, specially in Bogota.
All Schools and Universities remain closed and will follow with virtual classes until July 31st. Border and airports also will remain closed until further notice. All non-essential businesses also remain closed. Colombia will remain locked down until further notice.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Yes, the online processes are still being received.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Renewal/extensions will be resumed as soon as the quarantine has finished.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Expiration date will be extended.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information about this topic.
Costa Rica
1,744 positive cases, 12 deaths. Costa Rican Government has decided that effective March 24th, 2020, all foreigners residing or with a valid immigration condition in the country, who leave the national territory, will automatically lose their immigration status.
Countrywide lockdown still in place until further notice. Only grocery, medicines or supply shopping is allowed. Any person arriving in the country will be passed into 14-day quarantine. All immigration processes are suspended until July 18th, so no expiration dates will be observed.
The entrance of foreign citizens (including residents) is prohibited until June 30th (may be extended) except for the residents who had left Costa Rica before March 25th, legal residents and diplomats.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? The renewals can be executed through the Bank of Costa Rica and the Costa Rican Post Office, or B) By prior appointment in the Immigration Offices (once open) with an additional term that must not exceed July 17, 2020.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Visa extension is granted by the government until July 17th.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? If the permit or visa expires during the immigration office closing period, they are exempt of penalty.
Dominican Republic
23,271 positive cases, 605 deaths.
General Purpose Measures:
The government has declared the country in state of Emergency until May 10th, 2020.
Suspension of all consular services in the Dominican Republic and in the consulates abroad.
Cancelation of flights scheduled to and from Europe China, Korea and Iran.
Forced home quarantine for passengers who arrived from any of those countries into the Dominican Republic in the last 2 weeks.
Suspension of all cruises and port activity.
Closing of borders (except for departure of foreign nationals and cargo ships that carry basic supplements and fuels).
Suspension of School instruction until further notice.
Suspension of massive gatherings until further notice (restaurants only open for delivery and take out).
Suspension of commercial activities (except for pharmacies, supermarkets, gas stations, medical laboratories, hospitals).
Rigorous social quarantine for people 65+ years of age.
Implementation of home office and flexible hours.
Continue implementing social quarantine and hygiene measures.
Everyone is expected to use face masks when outside.
Specific Health Purpose Measures:
1. Release of COVID – 19 tests to certified labs.
2. Enable more Quarantine Centers.
3. Limit the number of visits of people in hospitals and clinics.
4. It is imperative to notify the authorities of any new case of COVID – 19.
5. Private Health Centers can enable special areas to treat COVID - 19.
6. ARS Insurance companies in order to support prevention and containment measures have agreed to include in their covered services the COVID -19 test.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? None at this time.
How are you managing the renewal cases? No cases are being managed at this time.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? The government has not determined how they will handle travelers with expired immigration documents once the travel ban is removed.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? The government has agreed to waive penalties while in state of emergency but we do not know for how long penalties will continue to be waivered after the state of emergency is removed.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? The government has agreed to waive penalties while in state of emergency but we do not know for how long penalties will continue to be waivered after the state of emergency is removed.
Ecuador
47,322 positive cases, 3,929 deaths. Country started a new phase, it’s no longer called quarantine, but treated as an epidemiologic “traffic light” and is now controlled locally by city. This means, that each mayor/local authorities are now in control as of when each city will change the “traffic light” color for businesses, retail and travel.
“Red” color means everything is still closed for public, only food delivery and essential food markets are opened. Martial Law from 2 pm until 5 am is enforced. No public transportation. All boarders are to remain closed, hence airports are closed during this traffic light color (“Red”).
Ministry of Foreign Affairs is closed so no visas are being issued. “Orange/Yellow” color means businesses will slit workforce with only 50% of its capacity, the rest is to remain teleworking. Martial Law will extend from 6 pm until 5 am. Transportation will renew only with 30% of its capacity.
Retail will reopen with 30% of occupancy capacity. “Green” color means workforce will return with 70% capacity known as the new normal way of social distancing. Car circulation will be defined with even or odd with the last number of the registration plates.
Martial law will extend from 9 pm until 5 am. Businesses and retail can operate with occupancy capacity of 50%. Airports are reopening operation, still very few flights are being operated. Guayaquil and Quito are operating in yellow light.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? No cases are being managed at this time. All immigration process are on hold.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Immigration status will be set on hold.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? The government has agreed to waive penalties while in state of emergency but we do not know for how long penalties will continue to be waivered after the state of emergency is removed.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information.
El Salvador
3,941 positive cases, 76 deaths. Curfew continues in place. Borders continue closed except for Salvadorian citizens and legal residents. Any person arriving in the country will be passed into 30-day quarantine. All immigration processes continue being processed. There is no extension for visitors visa due to the emergency.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Renewals cannot be submitted at this time.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? No official information released.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? It is not known for the time being. The government has not yet decided. Due to the exceptional circumstances, It is believed (but not confirmed) that there will be some kind of flexibility and understanding from the government).
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information released.
Guatemala
10,272 positive cases, 399 deaths. Borders are closed for foreign visitors. Legal residents can only arrive in Guatemala by land from Mexico. 15-day Mandatory quarantine for residents arriving. All ongoing/incomplete immigration processes of foreigners that were left due to the virus spread are on hold. Until now, no prolongation for visitors visa due to the COVID-19 situation.
Quarantine extended with curfew from 16h00 until 4h00. Use of surgical mask is mandatory countrywide while in the streets. Government facilities are open and working attending limited numbers of users. Public transportation has been suspended. No transit is allowed between localities but only food and medicines.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? No.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? There are 3 services that can be processed online: 1) Schedule a passport appointment for nationals, carriers, diplomatic corps and cases previously authorized by the Immigration offices; 2) Consultation of precautionary detention status; 3) Consultation of residence and visa status of processes initiated before March 5th.
How are you managing the renewal cases? As usual but aligned with social distancing rules.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? Foreign persons are allowed to leave the Republic of Guatemala using the land routes, under their strict responsibility, through the border of the states next to Guatemala who allow it. The foreign persons who entered the country in a regular way for tourism or business purposes can remain in the country while the Public Calamity Decree lasts. The foreign persons who remain in an irregular way before March 5th, need to fix their immigration status by going to the immigration office central building.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? Yes.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? Yes.
Guyana
159 positive cases, 12 deaths. Airports in Guyana still partially closed. Only outgoing, cargo, medevac, technical and any other specially authorized flights are allowed. Schools and Universities remain closed. Non-essential businesses remain closed. Curfew to take place between 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m. until further notice.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? All immigration processes are suspended.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? No official information released.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No official information released.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information released.
Honduras
9,178 positive cases, 322 deaths. Borders are closed for foreign visitors. 14-day Mandatory quarantine for residents arriving. All ongoing/incomplete immigration processes of foreigners that were left due to the virus spread are on hold.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? No. The Migration National Institute officially reopened its main office in Tegucigalpa on June 8th, 2020.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Only renewals which could not be submitted during the lockdown will be dealt with for the time being.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? It is not known for the time being. The government has not yet decided. In case a foreigner is checked, the local authorities are showing a relative flexibility and understanding due to the exceptional situation.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? If the permit or visa expires during the immigration office closing period, they are exempt of penalty.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? If the permit or visa expires during the immigration office closing period, they are exempt of penalty.
Mexico
150,264 positive cases, 17,850 deaths. Mandatory quarantine ended on June 1st. Most of the States of the Republic are in "red" traffic light, allowing very few economic activities to resume. Airports and borders are not closed, the latter except the USA, crossing in both directions is only allowed in cases of emergency or force majeure. Travelers should not do a mandatory quarantine when entering the country, they only have to provide the following information:
• Explanation of where you have traveled or have been residing in the last 6 weeks.
• Contact information, full name, phone, age.
• Declare if you have been in contact with someone with the virus. If the answer is positive, they ask for more information about it.
• Seat number you had on the flight.
Government offices are handling special cases in certain states, but they are closed until June 15th. The authorities warn that in case of not complying with the de-escalation plan according to the sanitary traffic light system, Mexico could return to quarantine.
Destination services in the country are available, with specific security measures (healthy distance, sanitation of spaces, use of face masks, etc.) and with limitations in terms of number of people (2 clients maximum per service). Classes for all educational levels are online until further notice.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? No. As of today, The National Institute of Migration (INM) continues to be open to the public as it is considered essential for national security. However, as a safety measure due to COVID-19 they currently have less staff working at their offices. As a result, overall immigration approval times could vary due to current workload of the immigration authorities in Mexico.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Yes. It’s possible to check online the immigration process’ status. Also, it’s possible to schedule a Consulate Appointment online.
How are you managing the renewal cases? On May 27th the Federal Government has released a series of statements regarding timeframes applicable for Immigration processes. The objective of these statements is to promote social distancing by avoiding unnecessary visits to the National Institute of Migration (INM) and Mexican Consulates abroad. It states that certain timeframes applicable for Immigration processes are temporarily suspended from June 1st until the Health Ministry deems safe. The processes that were due on these dates will be exempt and considered as non-working days. This agreement covers Temporary and Permanent Visa holders.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? The Immigration Office is currently open and receiving requests including renewals.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No, if they comply with temporary regulations to apply for the renewal.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No, if they comply with temporary regulations to apply for the renewal.
Panama
21,422 positive cases, 448 deaths. Due to the increase in the positive cases registered in the last days and the relaxation in the fulfillment of the sanitary measures, the restriction of mobility by gender and by ID number has been reinstalled From June 1st, it was allowed to reopen the following areas: construction, mining, industries, worship, parks and sports areas with 25% of its capacity.
Curfew in place from 7:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. and total quarantine from Saturday at 5:00 p.m. until Monday at 5:00 a.m. Sanitary check-points remain active. The restriction of mobility by gender has been removed. Children can leave home accompanied by an adult from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Older adults can leave home from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. according to the gender.
Children can leave home accompanied by an adult, bit adults must fulfill the previous premise.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? It was reopened on June 8th only for lawyers. The public will be served from June 15th only by appointments. Labor offices for work permits will be reopened on June 15th attention by appointments and online consultations.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No, only the follow up of the cases already filed.
How are you managing the renewal cases? We begin with the contact of the assignee, share requirements, prepare Power of Attorney, Sworn Declaration, receive electronic copies, prepare labor letter, PoA for company and any other document need, so when we are back in office, we just pick up documents, and coordinate filing.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is each government doing in regards of the immigration status? No fines will be imposed for expired visas, but must review case by case.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No, if expired between March 12th and June 7th.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No, if they expiration falls between the above mentioned period. If the expiration was before the closure, there might be a fine, but will not count during the period of March-June.
Paraguay
1,296 positive cases, 12 deaths. The country started the third phase of the “smart quarantine”: Restaurants and gastronomic premises open to public (with pre-arranged dates, family members or co-workers and no more than 6 in a table, with all the biosecurity measures).
Gyms and academies (pre-arranged dates no sharing, with all protocols). Education (superior) tests, thesis, practical classes, labs up to 10 persons. Cultural: auto movies and theater (respecting social distancing). Religious: masses with up to 20 persons.
However, one department of Paraguay (Paraguari) remains in phase 2 until further notice, and one city in this department (San Roque Gonzalez de Santa Cruz) went back to total quarantine because of the significant increase in number of positive cases. Borders will remain closed until borderlines countries can control the disease.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? No
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No
How are you managing the renewal cases? They can be done, but take longer because of the overload of pending requests and the newly added requirements.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is each government doing in regards of the immigration status? The latest statement released indicates that all the documents and dates due after March 13th are to be considered valid until the government offices officially opened to public.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No, they are not. But since the government offices started working they must start the process to regularize their situation.
Peru
232,992 positive cases, 6,860 deaths. On June 3rd, Peruvian President signed a supreme decree extending Peru’s Health State of Emergency for 90 days beginning Wednesday, June 10. This is NOT an extension of the national quarantine, although social distancing and the use of facemasks will be required for the foreseeable future.
Peru’s Ministry of Health (MINSA), the National Institute of Health, and the EsSalud Social Health Insurance agency are charged with developing an action plan for the surveillance, containment, and care of new COVID-19 cases in Peru.
Peru’s government will continue to procure the necessary good and services needed to combat the spread of COVID-19. Additional funding has been allocated to regional governments to hire medical personnel and to purchase the necessary equipment to contain and treat COVID-19.
On May 25th, limited economic activities deemed essential (including dentistry, ophthalmology, rehabilitation services, and veterinary medicine) were allowed to resume. In addition, certain professional services such as plumbing, gardening, domestic appliance maintenance and repair, hairdressing, and cosmetology were allowed as long as these services are provided at a residence.
People may also use private vehicles to procure food, medicine, and financial services within their districts of residence. Only one person per vehicle is allowed. Private vehicles may now also be used to transport people with urgent medical needs.
The Government has declared a curfew from 9:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. for Lima and most of Peru, every day from Monday to Saturday and an all-day curfew every Sunday until the end of the quarantine. In some regions such as Tumbes, Piura, Lambayeque, La Libertad and Loreto, the immobilization is in force from 6:00 p.m. m. until 4:00 a.m.
Beginning on Monday, May 18, children under 14 years of age, who are not presenting COVID-19 symptoms, will be allowed to leave their residence with an adult for a daily 30-minute walk from 12pm to 6pm.
They must stay within 500 meters of their residence and comply with all other health norms (maintain social distance and wear a facemask). In order to reduce the risk of community transmission of Covid-19 in Peru within children and adolescents under the age of 14, the Ministry of Health (Minsa) issued Epidemiological Alert No. 17-2020, which indicates that minors residing in high-risk districts and departments do not go out for the daily walk.
The districts with hish risk are: San Juan de Lurigancho, Lima Cercado, San Martin de Porres, Ate, El Agustino, Comas, Villa el Salvador, La Victoria, San Juan de Miraflores, Santa Anita, Rímac, Villa María del Triunfo, Puente Piedra, Los Olivos, Chorrillos, Independencia, Carabayllo, San Miguel, Breña and Surquillo. While the regions considered to be at high risk of transmission by Covid-19 are: Arequipa, Callao, Ica, Junín, La Libertad, Lambayeque, Loreto, Piura, Tumbes and Ucayali, as well as all its provinces and districts.
The use of facemasks in public is mandatory. Limitation of movements to citizens, all citizens must stay at home, except in cases of force majeure. At any case the movement of citizens will be always unaccompanied. The only movement allowed is for 1 person per household that can do necessary things like buying food or going to the bank.
Closure of all establishments carrying out public activity except for the distribution of food, hospitals, pharmacies, basic needs, and banks. All educational activity in person is suspended. Terms are suspended and time limits for processing procedures of public sector entities are interrupted.
Banks can open from 9am to 4pm and their workers will be allowed to be able to reach their homes until 8pm. Supermarkets, food sellers and pharmacies can open from 9am to 5pm and their workers will be allowed to be able to reach their homes until 8pm. Public offices are closed. Regional and International Frontiers have been closed until further notice.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration Offices in your country closed? Yes, all the Immigration offices are closed until the end of the State of Emergency decreed by the Government.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Yes, users can track their file online. On the other hand, if they have a query, they can call the Migrations telephone exchange. Only the two procedures mentioned above can be carried out.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Immigration Office announced that it will restart its online service this Wednesday, June 3 rd.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is each government doing in regards of the immigration status? Foreigners must regularize their immigration status from June 3rd. The immigration office granted a regularization period of 45 days, starting on June 3rd.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? Yes, they must regularize their procedures from June 3rd.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? Yes, they must regularize their procedures from June 3rd.
Suriname
229 positive cases, 5 deaths. The country re-entered to partial lockdown due to a new peak on the number of cases. President has announced a partial shutdown of the country as he blamed “gross irresponsibility” among individuals for the new cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Effective June 6th, there will be a 6:00 pm to 6:00 am (local time) curfew and that all gatherings would be for a maximum of five people only. Those schools that recently reopened will close again and the rest will remain closed until further notice. Also, borders remain closed until further notice.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration Offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? No.
How are you managing the renewal cases? All immigration processes are suspended.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is each government doing in regards of the immigration status? No official information released.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No official information released.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information released.
Trinidad
123 positive cases, 8 deaths. The island has started to re-open, public servants are back out by June 22nd. Offices and malls are opening up this week and Food service is open, but not to dine. Schools will remain shut until September and churches are not yet permitted to reopen. Borders will remain closed until further notice.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration Offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Only extension of stay can be managed through e-mails.
How are you managing the renewal cases? Only extension of stay can be managed through e-mails.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is each government doing in regards of the immigration status? There is no official information.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No.
Venezuela
3,062 positive cases, 26 deaths. Relaxation of the quarantine has started this week for 7 days, adding different commercial sectors to re-open: car washers; electronic maintenance, cloth shops, shoe shops, Ice Cream shops, coffee shops and restaurants only take-out food, mail services; notary and public registrar with restricted attention, sport events (without any public), Gyms, pet doctors.
New system of the Fuel services still working. School and non-essential businesses remain closed. Zulia State remains with curfew condition from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 a.m. Relaxation on the quarantine for children and third aged people is still in place. Public servants have not started to work.
FAQ:
Are all the Immigration offices in your country closed? Yes.
Is there any service online that can still be processed? Only PCC requests and appointments for Apostille request. Nevertheless, appointments will be scheduled after the quarantine has finished.
How are you managing the renewal cases? All immigration processes are suspended. No renewals can be filed.
If an applicant Visa cannot be renewed and he cannot travel due to the travel ban, what is the government doing in regards of the immigration status? His migratory status will be on hold until the end of the quarantine.
Are these applicants going to be penalized in the future? No official information released.
Are the companies going to be penalized if they have employees without the proper status? No official information released.