Companies and assignees may need to address certain issues as the world adapts to dramatically changed operating conditions. Margaret Burton of Deloitte's Immigration Solutions office keeps us up to date.

With the series of events, including 11 September, that have taken place globally, many companies will have experienced greater difficulties in relation to obtaining visas both into the US and globally.

Worldwide, visa processing into many locations has been tightened. This has occurred not only in relation to the policy directives being issued by governments in connection with the extent to which applications are to be scrutinised, but also in relation to the actual processes to be followed when making visa applications.

For example, the UK has developed a significantly more effective data collection and information transfer system, which is designed to lead to more robust statistical record maintenance. This is a part of a broader enhancement programme.

In addition, visa categories that have existed for varying periods of time are being reviewed in relation to their viability from a security perspective, including the concept of remaining in transit in a country without actually making an application for a visa at a consulate or embassy of the country through which travellers may be passing.

The temperament of the Australian government has also been more restrictive since 11 September. They have embarked on an extensive revamp of immigration legislation, including increased security checks on visa applications – such as authenticity of documents - and centralized processing, which causes serious delays in application processing times.

In Australia, the impact has spilled over into corporate-related immigration because it also covers amending current temporary entry categories, which will impact multinational companies moving assignees into Australia, as well as focusing on monitoring companies/sponsors in their local operations more closely.

These are just a few examples of the types of changes that will continue to occur worldwide as countries come to terms with heightened security procedures. During this period, we can also expect delays at many countries' consulates and embassies.

Also, access to embassies/high commissions/consular posts may be significantly hampered, with these offices operating with limited staff and often for a limited number of hours. The types of issues that companies may experience include:

• Postponement of moves out of a country until situations stabilise. If the assignee is on a temporary visa in a country and was previously not planning on extending due to an imminent transfer out (either back home or to a third location), then the current visa may need to be extended in that location for an appropriate time.

• Movement of assignees out of locations that are considered dangerous. They may not necessarily be relocated back to the home location, but rather to an alternative host location, possibly within the same region for genuine business reasons.

• Re-allocation of HR staff to more critical matters and a lack of resources internally to cope with the visa aspects of these transfers.

• Changed visa application requirements with little or no notice to the applicants.

• Significantly increased attention/scrutiny at ports of entry as clients enter the U.S. and other countries, even if they are in possession of the correct visas. Everyone should expect extensive questioning as to the purpose and nature of the intended entry.

These issues, along with many other serious matters, have created an environment where the visa process, no matter where the applicant is travelling, will be impacted far into the future.

May 2004

This article, originally written by Lance Kaplan, was updated by Margaret Burton, a director in the Global Immigration Solutions office of Deloitte & Touche in London. She can be reached at 44.20.7007.1506 or at maburton@deloitte.co.uk