ICYMI: Oct 3 - 16

“The world is changing very fast. Big will not beat small anymore. It will be the fast beating the slow.” 
- Rupert Murdoch

Let's be quick about it! It's time to catch up on what's happening in the world that could impact your global mobility program. Today, we'll be looking at the following countries: 

1. Japan: Noted in the WERC Mobility Minute, there were 646,800 vacant homes across the 23 wards of central Tokyo last year, according to a survey from the Interior Ministry. This is the highest number ever recorded in this data, which goes back to 1958. The survey, taken every five years, put the percentage of vacancies in central Tokyo at 10.9%, up from 10.4% in 2018. You can find more info here at Nikkei Asia.
    
2. Canada: Per Erickson Immigration, effective October 3, 2024, the instructions provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to its staff related to work permits for intra-company transferees have undergone extensive updates. You can learn more here.
    
3. United States: Los Angeles has a housing market update. According to Going-There, rents have dropped about $200 per month over the last year for international movers, particularly those on an L-1 visa. Median rents in LA overall are still $699 above the national rate, at $2,799. It’s unusual for a vacant property in the city to be available for longer than a few weeks. In popular school districts, up to 20 families may apply for a rental. 
   
   Additionally, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has updated guidance on the International Entrepreneur Rule in its Policy Manual to clarify the required triennial increase in investment, revenue, and other thresholds, and to clarify how to arrange biometrics appointments for certain applicants.
    
4. Colombia: Smith Stone Walters reports that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended the deadline for the transfer of the Permanent Residence Visa until October 31, 2026. Foreign nationals holding a Permanent Residence (“R”) Visa issued before October 22, 2022 must exchange their existing R Visa for a new one, in line with the 2022 immigration law.
    
5. Ireland: From Fragomen, as of November 4, 2024, the renewal application process for Irish Residence Permit (IRP) cards will be moved online. This includes all Irish counties, extending the process already in place for Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Wicklow, Cork and Limerick counties. The online portal is already open for these applicants, but is optional until November 3, 2024. 
   
   Additionally, per Envoy Global, Ireland introduced its new Employment Permit Act on September 2nd, 2024 to make the employment permit system more flexible. Ireland announced that the new Employment Permits Act will make the employment permit system more adaptable to the labor market, allow registered subcontractors to access the employment permit system, introduce a seasonal employment permit and allow permit holders to transfer to new employer after a certain period. 
    
6. UAE: Intense growth in Dubai has created  some challenges for housing costs, traffic, and competition for school admissions. According to Bloomberg, since 2020, about 400,000 people have arrived. Those moving are drawn by low taxes, safety, and proximity to major markets. The number of people working in the Dubai International Financial Center has jumped 70% in the past five years. Accordingly, rents for single family villas have soared 86% since the start of the pandemic. Expatriates, who make up nearly 90% of the population, are effectively shut out from public schools, and parents shell out substantial amounts of their salaries on school fees. 
   
   Additionally, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security (ICP) has reduced the passport validity required for foreign nationals to take advantage of the current immigration amnesty. Those in the country with an expired residence status can now apply to have their status regularized if their passport has at least one month of validity remaining, rather than six months as previously.
    
7. United Kingdom: Recent shifts in the housing market have introduced new complexities that make it even more difficult for both residents and newcomers. Data from Packimpex shows rents have stabilized, but they remain about 20% higher than just a few years ago. Despite a decrease in competition, with an average of 17 prospective tenants chasing each available home —down from 30-35 last year—finding suitable accommodation remains highly competitive. 
   
   On a side note, a record number of millionaires are set to leave the UK as academics call for imposing an exit tax. This could have a massive impact on relocating to and from the UK.  The sharp drop makes the UK a major outlier in the 36 countries that the study examined, most of which can expect the proportion of their population that are millionaires to rise over the next four years.
    
8. Italy: Italy has launched its digital nomad visa! Follow the link to see who is eligible and how to apply. The visa is open to workers who have an annual income of at least three times the minimum level required for exemption from participation in healthcare costs in Italy. That figure equals out at just under €28,000 annually.
    
9. Germany: In their latest “state of relocation” update, Packimpex shares details on Germany's Opportunity Card. With the Opportunity Card (“Chancenkarte”), candidates from non-EU countries can enter Germany to look for a suitable job. The Opportunity Card is issued to candidates recognized as skilled workers or those who score at least six points using the points system. In addition, their means of support must be guaranteed for the duration of their stay.
    
10. Belgium: Also from our friends at Packimpex, as of October 1, 2024, simplified procedures will make Belgium more attractive for skilled foreign workers:

• Salary thresholds are being simplified;
• Work permit B will be replaced by short- or long-term work authorization;
• Annual checkups for work permits longer than 1 year are being automated; 
• Unlimited work permits will be available after 30 months of residence in the Brussels-Capital Region.

Flanders will also implement significant changes in the regulation of work permits for non-EU nationals: more inclusive definition of 'highly skilled work', simplified procedures for work permits, stricter standards for employers, easier access to work permits for highly skilled workers.

As we close, don't forget that we have a live survey happening now! Take our AI Sentiment Within The Global Mobility Community Survey! The survey explores the utilization of AI tools currently for supporting global mobility programs, how mobility professionals feel about using AI tools, what participants feel about the current and future impact of AI tools within global mobility and seeks to better understand where mobility professionals believe AI will most significantly support mobility as we look ahead.