Businesses in Thailand have joined arms with expats living in the Kingdom in opposition to the recent and strict enforcement of the TM30 Form, a controversial immigration regulation.

The TM30 Form regulation states that landlords must report when foreigners residing in their home or building visit another province for more than 24 hours.

The TM30 Form requirement dates back to a 1979 immigration law but has rarely been enforced in the past, according to Bangkok company lawyers.

Authorities are now cracking down on TM30 enforcement, which has drawn outrage from the expat community living in Thailand.

The law will affect over 2 million foreign workers residing in Thailand, not to mention the retirees and long-term visitors.

Now, companies operating in Thailand are also airing their grievances, saying the law–and its renewed enforcement–are bad for business.

Businesses, specifically startups, are arguing that the law is dissuading much-needed, highly-skilled workers from staying in the country.

For example, an expat living in Bangkok–or his or her landlord–is required by Thailand immigration law under the TM30 Form to report to immigration for something as small as a weekend trip from Bangkok to Pattaya, which could lead to queuing for hours in line at an immigration office upon both arrival and return.

Owners of property and accommodation that foreigners reside in also are complaining over the TM30 Form.

They state that the law forces them to report all the comings and goings, both small and big, of each of their tenants.

This, they argue, is an unnecessary and costly burden.

Read the full story here.

In order to fill its massive skilled labor gaps, the German cabinet is considering a proposal that would make it much easier for workers outside of the European Union to migrate and work in Germany, according to Reuters.

The idea comes as a major surprise when you consider that anti-immigration sentiment is widespread in the northern European country at the moment, playing a large role in the rise of the uber-nationalist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

The proposal being drafted by the cabinet would primarily make it simpler for skilled professionals from outside the EU to work in Germany, which could alleviate some of the concerns of those with anti-immigrant sentiments.

Germany stands as the EU’s largest economy, but in recent years has suffered from chronic labor shortages when it comes to young professionals.

In 2015, Germany believed that the influx of refugees would fill its record 1.2 million unfilled jobs, but the language barrier and the lack of necessary skills have made it an uphill battle.

Read the full story here.

The Jerusalem Post comments on how the Trump Administration has left US Visas for Israeli citizens at a standstill.

Since 2005, Israel has been wanting to join the Visa Waiver Program that currently allows 38 countries access to the US without the need for a Visa for up to 90 days. The US Administration has denied this access, saying Israel has yet “to meet the requirements”.

According to Thailand based US immigration lawyer Joe Leeds, the Visa Waiver Program allows non-US nationals to enter the USA without a pre-arranged visa.

Israel’s Minister of Justice, Shaked, has high hopes on her next trip to the States of signing an arrangement with the US. Shaked acknowledges that negotiations are still continuing and that although there has been advancements there is still “a great deal of work left to be done”.

The US administration would not comment on how much longer it would take regarding Israelis acceptance into the Waiver program.

Read the full story here

Related Post: New Tougher Visa Requirements to Enter U.S

For Thai spouses of American citizens, specialized visas such as the K1 and K3 Visas allow for either a 90 day single-entry or a 2 year multiple-entry.

Image: Jessyca Frederick