ICYMI: Housing, immigration, and air quality

The global mobility landscape is constantly changing. From visa regulations, strikes, and travel disruptions, let's take a quick trip around the world and check out what might be affecting mobility programs. 

1. Bangladesh: According to IQAir, the capital city of Dhaka is now a competitor for the worst air quality in the world. The PM2.5 concentration in Dhaka is currently 10.7 times the recommended level from WHO annual air quality guidelines. That currently places it at #5 for worst air quality in the world, with an "unhealthy for sensitive groups" rating. Only Wuhan, Hangzhou, Tehran, and Chiang Mai rate worse as of today. Over the last year however, 18 of the top 25 locations (72%) are in India. Due to pollution concerns, Bangkok also urged residents to work from home earlier this year. Many companies take this issue into account when looking at providing expatriates with a hardship allowance (calculated by Mercer, Airinc or ECA), and many now cover costs for an air purifier and masks.
   If you're looking for more hardship allowance resources, also check out these articles from Airinc and from Mercer.
2. United States: IOR Global Services reports that Miami stil has a very hot rental market. An expat staying there can expect to pay in excess of $2,700 per month for a one bedroom apartment due to competition and limited inventory. In order to successfully navigate the market, assignees need a realtor to access most properties. In many other US cities, realtors do not work with renters, but Miami is very different because there are so many private buildings with owners renting their own units. In Miami, the owners/landlords pay the commission, which is then split between the realtor and the renter's representative.
3. Canada: After Canada rolled out their ban on non-Canadians being allowed to buy residential property at the beginning of the year, they have loosened rules now for temporary residents with at least 183 days left on a work permit. This amendment is great news for relocating employees headed to Canada. Canada is now exempting temporary foreign workers with six months left on their work permits as well as foreign nationals and businesses who intend to buy vacant land to develop it for residential or mixed use.
4. Malaysia: Per Newland Chase, as of 17 March 2023, Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) announced they will grant electronic passes (ePass) for employment pass (EP) renewals and related passes filed with them. The endorsement sticker that is usually affixed onto the foreign national’s passport showing the renewed pass will be replaced by the ePass, and this will be applicable to all employment pass (EP) renewals and the accompanying dependents’ pass renewals.
5. Singapore: Our friends at EIG have helped explain Singapore's Complementarity Assessment Framework (COMPASS) - a new points-based immigration framework that considers individual and firm-related attributes for Employment Pass (EP) applicants wanting to join Singapore’s workforce. COMPASS provides clarity and predictability for workforce planning and recognizes efforts to develop a robust local pipeline and a diverse foreign workforce. It will apply to new EP applications from September 1, 2023, and to EP renewal applications from September 1, 2024, respectively. An overview of COMPASS is here in Annex A. The Ministry of Manpower’s website is also regularly updated with the latest information on COMPASS.
6. Australia: Sweeping immigration reform is underway in Australia to help the country compete for global talent. Per KPMG, Australia's government is making it easier for skilled immigrants to come to Australia and for talented international students to remain in the country long term. 
7. New Zealand: Newland Chase notes that a plan to remove work rights for temporary visa holders by April 2023 has been retracted, and partners of Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) or Essential Skills visa holders will retain work rights with certain conditions starting from May 31, 2023. In order to retain the work rights, the partner must work for an accredited employer and earn at least the median salary unless salary exceptions apply.
8. United Kingdom: To simplify business visitor rules, Newland Chase reports that later this year, the UK government will expand the range of allowable short-term business activities for periods of up to six months. This change also includes a review of permitted paid engagements. Additionally, the government will consider enhanced provisions linked to negotiations with trade partners, including a wider range of activities.
9. France: Reuters is keeping up with nationwide strikes, rallies, and civil unrest, which have continued as French protesters revolt against a new pension bill. At this point, the government said it was willing to talk to unions on other topics, but repeated it would stand firm on pensions. Expats are advised to take a few precautions, including avoiding demonstrations and areas with significant police activity, exercising caution when near large gatherings, monitoring local media, and staying in touch with friends and family. At this time, no broader travel advisories for France are in place for Americans beyond the fairly generic Level 2 warning the US State Department has had in place since last October.
10. Portugal: Per Crisis24, unionized rail workers are planning a passenger and freight rail strike in Portugal on April 6. Rail service disruptions are likely and protests are possible. Increased traffic congestion is also likely as commuters are forced to use private vehicles, and shortages of some goods may occur. While protests have not been announced, some pickets could occur near major railway stations and government offices, particularly in Lisbon.
11. Germany: CNBC is following a new nationality law that will make it easier for foreigners to gain German citizenship. The proposed law would allow people to apply for citizenship after five years, while immigration reforms based on Canada’s points system would help skilled workers enter the country. It would also lift a ban on dual citizenship for people from non-EU countries, meaning immigrants would no longer have to surrender their home country nationality.

Worldwide, Ramadan also continues from March 22-April 20, and many businesses, shops, and local authorities will be operating with reduced hours during this ninth month of the Islamic calendar. Key impactors to global mobility include ports and customs offices, as well as shipping companies. Expect household goods shipments to be delayed, though delays will vary from country to country. Primarily, Ramadan disruptions will affect Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, Kuwait, Jordan, Bahrain, Iraq, Yemen, Qatar, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Egypt, Turkey and Iran. The Eid al-Fitr holiday, immediately following Ramadan, will also close offices for three or more days in countries across the Middle East, North and West Africa, and Central and Southeast Asia. Businesses and travelers should plan ahead and file time-sensitive applications as soon as possible to avoid unnecessary delays.