ICYMI: Nov 14 - Nov 27

In case you missed it, the holidays are  here. And with Thanksgiving right around the corner, we'd be so very thankful if you'd share your perspectives in a survey! 

We have launched our 2025 Global Mobility Insights and Trends Survey which aims to uncover a comprehensive array of insights from the past year, highlighting key topics while identifying areas of focus for the year ahead. In a mobility environment poised for significant change, your input will help us explore the priorities and concerns that are shaping mobility programs. You'll also get to see what other mobility leaders are strategically planning for long-term success.

What to Expect:

• Insights on last year’s learnings and successes
• Identification of key areas for improvement in 2025
• Exploration of priorities and strategies that will drive your mobility programs forward

Your expertise is invaluable, and we greatly appreciate your insights! To participate in the survey, click the link below: 

2025 Global Mobility Insights and Trends Survey

The survey will be open through December 31st. Thanks in advance!

And now, on to some global updates. Here's what's been happening around the world over the past couple of weeks:

1. United Kingdom: CIBT reminds us that starting January 8, 2025, visitors to the United Kingdom from 49 specific countries and territories will need to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA). This includes many nationalities that did not previously require a visa or other pre-approval for travel. A complete list of countries can be found here and below. Also, the Financial Times reports stricter immigration rules affecting the education sector, including a ban on postgraduate students bringing family members and an increase in the salary threshold for skilled worker visas. These changes have led to a decline in foreign postgraduate applications, affecting universities and businesses that rely on international talent.
    
2. Spain: Per Reuters, Spain will be legalizing undocumented immigrants, with a plan to integrate approximately 300,000 over the next three years. This move is part of an initiative to bolster Spain's labor force amid an aging population. The reform aims to simplify procedures for work and residence permits, potentially providing a new pool of legal workers for businesses operating in Spain. On top of this, Envoy Global notes that Spain will now require applicants under the Entrepreneurs Act to apostille or legalize their higher education certifications. Those applying through the professional experience pathway must also provide social security or labor agency documents from their home country. These changes may increase transfer timelines as legalization processes vary by country.
    
3. European Union: Border guards may request identification documents and perform detailed checks of travelers crossing borders in affected Schengen countries. Travelers should carry their identification documents, and visa-exempt nationals should be mindful of their Schengen allowance days, as the limit for visa-exempt nationals to remain in Schengen countries is 90 days in a six-month period. Slovenia has extended internal checks at its borders into December 2024 and The Netherlands will introduce internal checks at its borders effective December 9, 2024, and they are scheduled to run until June 2025. The following countries have extended internal checks at their borders into March-June 2025: Austria, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway and Sweden. You can find more details here. 
    
4. Qatar: New job vacancy posting requirements and a streamlined work document attestation process have been introduced. Fragomen shares that businesses must now submit information about their employees (regardless of their nationality), including names, Qatari identification numbers, and contact information. Additionally, employers must now submit their five-year Qatarization plans via email to the Ministry of Labor. None of these data submission requirements existed previously. Additionally, Qatar’s Ministry of Labor (MOL) has launched a six-year strategy to boost Qatarization in the private sector while also increasing the proportion of highly skilled foreign nationals in the workforce. 
    
5. United States: In the U.S., housing affordability has dropped over the past 5 years and remains at an all-time low, according to this article from Realtor.com. Check out the 5 metro areas where less than 30% of households can afford a home. 
   Then, per BAL, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced its plans to make nearly 65,000 additional H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas available for fiscal year (FY) 2025. Additionally, many immigration partners are suggesting to prepare in advance for possible travel issues for foreign nationals in the U.S., due to the new presidential administration. Gibney, Anthony & Flaherty shares: “While it is too soon to definitively determine what changes will emerge with the new Administration, potential early action may include executive orders restricting travel and entry to the U.S. by nationals of certain countries, as well as heightened scrutiny and security screening during the visa application process and at U.S. ports of entry.”
6. Canada: Smith Stone Walters shares the latest updates on Canadian immigration. Immigration authorities in Canada have recently announced a series of changes that may impact some foreign students, workers, and entrepreneurs. Canada's immigration levels are being reduced in 2025. The target for 2025 is 395,000 permanent residents, which is a 21% reduction from 2024. The target will decrease to 380,000 in 2026 and 365,000 in 2027. According to IRCC, the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2% in both 2025 and 2026, before returning to a population growth of 0.8% in 2027. 
    
7. Vietnam: Employers sponsoring foreign nationals working in Vietnam must file the second of two required semi-annual reports by January 5, 2025. Per Fragomen, foreign nationals working in Vietnam from December 15, 2023 to December 14, 2024 must be included in the January 2025 report. Failure to file the report may result in administrative fines for employers and possible delays in subsequent foreign labor demand or work permit applications.
    
8. Singapore: A new S$16 million initiative by Workforce Singapore promises to catapult Singaporean professionals into the global arena. According to People Matters, under the Overseas Markets Immersion Programme, up to 250 Singaporean employees with little or no overseas market experience will have the opportunity to gain invaluable exposure over the next two years. The government’s subsidy will cover 70% of employees’ salaries and overseas allowances, capped at S$5,000 and S$3,000 per month respectively. You can learn more about who qualifies for this program.
   Additionally, Singapore introduced the Workplace Fairness Bill. Once implemented, employers of foreign nationals must strictly adhere to immigration policies, including the Fair Consideration Framework (which includes employer obligations such as advertising requirements for those seeking to hire foreign nationals under Employment Passes and S Passes), to avoid penalties or prosecution. Follow the link to learn more.

To close out this post, as we head into the holiday season, we have seen a number of articles offering suggestions to foreign nationals and to mobility programs on how to handle holiday travel. For foreign employees traveling during the holidays, it's crucial to ensure they have all necessary travel documents. These include a valid passport with sufficient validity, an appropriate visa, and any required work authorization letters. Prepare in advance and plan for potential delays at consulates due to the holiday travel rush. Also be prepared for thorough screening upon re-entry to their host country, which can mean communicating travel plans with your company and immigration consultant if needed. Here are a few links to some quality resources that might help:

5 things to ask before your foreign national employees travel this holiday season

Holiday Travel Guidance for Foreign Nationals

International Travel Guidance for DOI Employees