China: strict interpretation of regulations
12/11/2019 11:00

The Chinese consulate informs: 

The Chinese consulate has informed us that the requirements for the following points will be interpreted more strictly. We ask you to pay close attention to the points in order to avoid delays:

  • The passport photo must be up-to-date - not older than 6 months. For example, if a passport was issued on 06/06/2018 and the applicant uses the same passport photo on the form, it will no longer be accepted. Submit a second recent passport photo that is different from the passport photo in your passport.
  • The passport photo must be standardized and biometric. The background must be white, the detailed requirements can be found here.
  • A passport photo taken from life is not accepted. In this case, no passport photo can be submitted subsequently, a new visa application must be issued and a new appointment made.
  • Special attention must also be paid to the following points: 
    1. First name,
    2. Last name,
    3. Middle name(s),
    4. Date of birth
    5. Passport validity
      6. .

    • An overview of the China visa regulations can be found here:

  • Business visa
  • Tourist visa
  • Other visa types

    • For questions we are at your disposal. 

    Your DVKG team

    China: Changes at the consular providers in Germany
    04/09/2019 12:00

    The changes at the China Consular Providers have taken place. Important changes are currently in place and may change further in the coming weeks:

  • No sameday processing (within one day) nationwide
  • No guaranteed express processing (within 2 days) nationwide

    • An application process can take up to 7 consular working days. Please submit your visa application in good time before your trip
    .
    The consular provider has announced that in 2020 all travelers will probably have to submit a fingerprint in person. The fingerprint will be valid for 5 years and can be reused for a new visa application.
    Your DVKG Team

    China: Changes at the consular providers in Germany
    22/08/2019 12:00

    On September 2, 2019, changes will be made to the process of submitting and collecting visa documents. It is not yet final how the processes for consular service providers will be implemented. We are in close contact with all consular providers and will keep you informed of any changes. Currently, you can continue to apply for your China visa via the German Visa and Consular Society.

    Your DVKG Team

    New rules on the posting of workers to France
    16/08/2019 12:00

    The regulations on the posting of employees to France have been improved. A section on combating illegal employment and abuse in connection with the posting of employees has been added.

    Some conditions and restrictions on the posting of employees have been removed where the French state expects a lower risk of distortion of competition or social dumping– here are the most important changes:

    1. Definition of the posted employee:
      1. Employed by a company
      2. The company is permanently and properly operating outside the borders of France
      3. The employee is posted to France for a limited period of time
      4. The usual place of work of the posted employee must be outside France and in the posting company
    2. Formal facilitations only apply to individual sectors
      1. Artists who are active in France for no more than 90 days during 12 consecutive months
      2. athletes, referees, members of the sports coaching team, official delegates involved in the conduct or organization of sporting events for a period of no more than 90 days during 12 consecutive months
      3. trainees with international mobility who work temporarily in France as part of their training and whose presence does not exceed 12 consecutive months (the trainee's presence must not be linked to the provision of the service in France in which he/she is involved)
      4. Participants in symposia, seminars, scientific events; visiting professors and visiting researchers carrying out teaching activities lasting up to 12 consecutive months
    3. Facilitation for secondments „in one's own name“
      1. The posting company, where the posting worker is only posted for a short period of time, now has a total of 14 days to submit the required evidence to the labor inspectorate
      2. For employees who are posted on their own account, the principle of immediate submission of evidence continues to apply
      3. It is characteristic that no contract has been concluded between the posting employer and a beneficiary in France
      4. Note: there is no relief for postings within the group or between business units / sites
    4. &Amendment of the client's due diligence obligations
      1. In future, it will be the responsibility of the client (company (group/establishment) / contractual partner / service recipient in France) to check with the posting company that the corresponding declaration has been made in SIPSI for each posted employee. For this purpose, it is sufficient to submit the acknowledgement of receipt from SIPSI
      2. The client (company (group/plant) / contractual partner / service recipient in France) must obtain an affidavit from the sending company expressly certifying that any fines imposed have already been paid to the French state
    5. Information on the formal requirements of the posting:
      1. The posting notification must be submitted in SIPSI 48 hours before the posting
      2. A representative must be appointed in France. The representative is available to answer questions from the French labor inspectorate DIRECCTE
      3. The documents requested with the posting must be kept available in French in France
      4. In the construction industry, a so-called BTP card (professional card) must be presented during inspections

    In summary:

    Although some of the formalities have been simplified, it cannot be said that these two pieces of legislation have significantly relaxed the posting rules. Provided that none of the above-mentioned exceptions - which are rather rare in practice - apply, the formalities relating to the posting of employees to France remain largely unchanged for foreign employers and, in particular, for employers in the border region who regularly post employees to France.

    Consular closing days of Islamic countries in August
    22/07/2019 12:00

    We would like to point out that the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice will take place from 12.08.2019 - 15.08.2019.

    Due to this, consular closures at the embassies of Islamic countries are to be expected at short notice during this period.

    If you need a visa or legalization for an Islamic country at short notice, please take this into account when planning your trip.