ICYMI: Look out for some things that could impact your mobility program heading into 2024

Since March of 2020, we've been keeping you up to date every two weeks with regional and locational changes. Because there's a huge range of things that can affect global mobility programs - compliance, duty of care, politics, immigration, climate - we're tracking everything so you don't have to. 

So…in case you missed it:

1. Global: Per this CNBC money report, there are differing reports on where costs for airfares will go in 2024. As mobility programs always have to consider costs, not to mention sustainability, airfares are a chunk of the overall transportation costs embedded in mobility spend. Global airfares are expected to rise between 3%-7% next year, as airlines grapple with high fuel costs, sustainability changes and fleet upgrades, according to the FCM Consulting's "Global Trend Report" for the third quarter of 2023.
    
2. South Korea: From our friends at Fragomen, the government of South Korea announced that a digital nomad visa called the ‘Workcation Visa’ is now available. It is currently in a trial program for an indefinite period. The visa will allow eligible foreign nationals (and family members) to reside in South Korea while teleworking for their home employer for up to two years.
    
3. Canada: There are new prevailing wage requirements effective January 1, 2024, where all Canadian employers of foreign nationals employed under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) will be required to annually review their foreign worker employees' wages to ensure they reflect increases to prevailing wage rates suitable for the occupation and the region.
    
4. Netherlands: Mondaq's January alert notes an increase of audits and new salary thresholds effective January 1, 2024. Dutch immigration authorities are currently increasing audits with registered sponsor companies. For this reason, it is important that registered sponsors be aware of their legal obligations , which are presented in more detail here.
    
5. Ireland: Effective January 17, 2024 the minimum salary requirement for expats will increase. Get those updates here.
    
6. Germany: Per BAL, the German government introduced new rules governing how foreign nationals can obtain an EU Blue Card. The new immigration initiatives are designed to make it easier for skilled workers to live and work in Germany. 
    
7. Portugal: Newland Chase reports that through the implementation of Decree-Law No. 109/2023, the Portuguese Agency of Integration, Migration, and Asylum (AIMA) has enacted a further concession—an automatic extension for Residence Permits and National Visas. This automatic extension is applicable to Residence Permits and Visas set to expire on or after November 10, 2023, and extends the validity until June 30, 2024. New “golden visa” rules where real estate investment has been completely replaced with putting money into investment funds. More from Reuters.
    
8. Brazil: Here's a quick update on visa requirements for business or remote work across Brazil. Currently, the Brazilian government allows U.S. citizens to enter Brazil as visitors for business or pleasure for up to 90 days without a visa. But as of April 10, 2024 that will change for US, Canadian and Australian citizens as Brazil reintroduces visa requirements. E-visas will cost approximately U.S.$81 ($80.00 plus $0.90 service fee) per person and will be valid for multiple entries over a five-year period once issued. for remote work, Brazil now has a relatively simple solution for individuals who wish to work remotely from Brazil, i.e., a digital nomad visa process for those who are self-employed or who would like to live in Brazil while working remotely for a company abroad. To be eligible, an individual must prove their employment, a minimum monthly income of approximately U.S.$1,500.00 or availability of bank funds in the minimum amount of US $18,000 at the time of application and must also have health insurance coverage. Digital nomad visas are issued for one year and can be extended for another year. Applications must be made at the closest Brazilian consulate and are typically processed in two to four weeks.
    
9. Canada: According to the most recent ReloConnect issue, Canada may be heading towards a big housing correction in the early half of 2024. One of Canada’s top banks says average home prices could drop as much as 10 percent by early 2024 thanks to a surge in housing supply in Canada’s second and third largest provinces. While that sounds good, the article points out that 10 percent decline in average home prices would still leave them 15 percent higher than pre-pandemic levels.
    
10. United States: Per Envoy Global, the USCIS announced inflation adjustment to premium processing fees with new rates set to become effective on February 26, 2024. It is approximately a 12% increase for the following: Form I-129, H-2B or R-1 non-immigrant visa, all other non-immigrant employment visas (e.g. H-1B, L-1, O-1, TN), Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, Form I-539, Application to Extend/Change Non-immigrant Status, and Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization (EADs). Any forms postmarked on or after February 26, 2024 with incorrect fees will be rejected and returned so make sure you are processing proper amounts before sending.

Looking for further insights that will likely impact your mobility program? 

Try Fragomen’s 2024 Worldwide Immigration Trends Report, which examines recent political, economic and cultural factors impacting today’s global workforce, national and multinational companies and world economies. 

Read and consider Envoy Global's FY 2025 H-1B Cap Season: 4 Things HR Teams Should Know.

Consider this Time article on The Top 10 Global Risks for 2024. From the return of El Nino to ungoverned AI, Ian Bremmer breaks down the biggest geopolitical risks of 2024.

In this latest prognostication from SHRM, review What's Ahead in 2024? HR Leaders, Other Experts Share Predictions. Workplace experts shared the following predictions with SHRM Online on what they think is ahead for 2024.