ICYMI: Jan 23 - Feb 5

Whether we wanted it or not, there's a lot going on! Welcome to In Case You Missed It, where we bring you updates that may impact your mobility program or international talent. From New Zealand’s new digital nomad-friendly visa rules to Canada’s adjustments in student visa caps, and the UK’s streamlined path to settled status, let's take a look at what you might need to know:

1. New Zealand: New Zealand eased its visa rules to allow foreigners to work while traveling in the country. This was done in an effort to boost tourism (especially for those whose digital nomad dreams include working from a hobbit hole). Under the new rules, visitors can work remotely for a foreign employer while being in the country for up to 90 days, after which they may have to pay resident taxes. According to Envoy Global, the new conditions will apply to all visitor visa applications submitted from January 27 onward. Visitor visas include tourism visas, family visit visas, and partner and guardian visas for long-term visits. These individuals can stay in New Zealand as digital nomads and keep in touch with work back home without breaching their visa conditions. 
    
2. Australia: The Subclass 482 visa is now known as the Skills in Demand or “SID” visa. Like its predecessor, the Subclass 482 Temporary Skills Shortage visa, the SID visa enables employers to sponsor skilled foreign workers in Australia for 1-4 years to fill positions for which suitably qualified Australian citizen or permanent resident employees are not available. Per WR Immigration, employers who wish to sponsor foreign workers under the Subclass 482 should note that the Skilled Occupations List (SOL) has also been updated to include 70 new occupations while others have been removed. Furthermore, the government will now charge a uniform fee for all occupations on the list.
    
3. Thailand: Thailand announced that starting on May 1, 2025, all travelers entering the country must complete a digital arrival card. This card includes the TM6 form and the departure card. These requirements apply to visa-exempt travelers as well, as noted by Envoy Global.
    
4. Saudi Arabia: Global Relocation Consultants shares that the General Department of Traffic warned that fines ranging from SR500 to SR900 will be slapped on those motorists who use mobile phones while driving vehicles. The department earlier noted that the use of handheld mobile devices while driving vehicles was found as the main cause of traffic accidents in various regions of the Kingdom. It urged all motorists in the Kingdom to comply with traffic laws and road safety regulations without any failure.
    
5. Kuwait: As of January 5, per Gulf News, foreigners who stay beyond validity of visit visas will face a KD10 fine for each day, with a maximum fine of KD 2,000. Sections of the law introduce updated fines for a wide range of violations, including penalties for failing to report a newborn, overstaying visas, and irregularities involving domestic workers.
    
6. UAE: The Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT) is encouraging pet owners to register their cats and dogs through the TAMM portal, which provides a centralized database for owners and their microchipped pets. The animal ownership services, set to be launched February 3, underscore the DMT’s commitment to animal welfare and legal compliance. There will be no registration fees until further notice, and existing individual pet owners have a one-year grace period to complete their registration without penalties.
    
7. Ireland:  On January 29, Ireland began issuing all labor market access (LMA) permits via email to individuals under the international protection process. Previously, officials issued LMA permits in person as hard copies. The government also shared that they expect processing delays due to a higher volume of applications.
    
8. Portugal: To support immigrantion compliance, Portugal simplified the process for non-residents in Portugal to obtain a certificate for income tax paid. Now, eligible individuals can request the certificate for free on the Portal das Finanças. See here for how to apply. Additionally, EIG notes that Portugal’s Agency for Integration, Migration and Asylum (AIMA) is changing the procedure to schedule the service needed to obtain a residence permit. This is being done to speed up service scheduling and enact new rules that were introduced in early 2024.
    
9. United Kingdom: Also from EIG, the UK Home Office has announced the introduction of a new process to automatically convert eligible pre-settled status holders to settled status, without the need for them to make a further EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) application. Under the new process, the Home Office will email pre-settled status holders who are approaching the expiry of their status to inform them that they may soon be considered for an automated conversion to settled status.
    
10. Canada: Envoy Global has the details on Canada's announced changes to international student visas admittance numbers for 2025. IRCC will issue 437,000 study permits in 2025, a 10% decrease from 2024. The requirement for a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL) now includes master’s and doctoral students and most applicants within Canada. Graduate students have reserved spaces, and exchange students are exempt. 
    Also, the Ontario government launched the Regional Economic Development through Immigration (REDI) pilot program to attract highly skilled immigrants. The program opened on January 3 to four rural and northern regions: Lanark, Leeds and Grenville, Sarnia-Lambton, and Thunder Bay. REDI will remain open until December 31, 2025. 
     
11. United States: Many immigration firms are suggesting that foreign nationals residing in the U.S. may want to reconsider any international travel plans. Nations of countries which have been subject to entry restrictions in the past might want to be particularly cautious about international travel in the coming months. Per Fragomen, if you are not a national of a previously banned country and you possess a valid U.S. nonimmigrant visa and other necessary travel documents, you face fewer risks when traveling internationally, but you should expect more intensive screening at U.S. ports of inspection when you return from abroad. If you will need a new visa to reenter the United States, you should carefully consider the risks and benefits of travel before you finalize your plans. The order requires applicants for visas, admission, or other immigration benefits to be vetted and screened “to the maximum degree possible.” 
    Then, we also have updates on H-1B Final Rule, H-2 Final Rule, and Revised Form I-129 Effective 17 January 2025 from Smith Stone Walters. The Department of Homeland Security’s H-1B final rule and H-2 final rule took effect on January 17, modernizing and improving requirements for the H-1B nonimmigrant and H-2 nonimmigrant visa programs. The USCIS also published a revised Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker on January 17, reflecting combined changes associated with the two final rules.

As global policies continue to evolve, staying informed is key to ensuring smooth transitions for mobile talent. Whether it’s new visa processes, compliance updates, or changes in travel regulations, these shifts can shape workforce strategies. We'll see you again in two weeks!