ICYMI: Feb 6 - 19

It might seem like the world is moving faster these days, but don't worry! If you're trying to stay on top of global changes and updates that might influence your relocation planning, we're here to summarize everything for you. This week, we have 13 countries and regions to cover. 

In Case You Missed It: 

1. United States: USCIS announced that the 2026 H-1B cap registration period will run from March 7 to March 24, 2025. Petitioners must register electronically via a USCIS online account and pay a $215 fee per beneficiary. The selection process remains beneficiary-centric, prioritizing unique applicants. The credit card transaction limit has also temporarily increased to $99,999.99 per day. Employers without an account must create one, and past users may need to convert their accounts. Notifications of selection will be sent by March 31, 2025. 
   In other news, Envoy Global reports that the DOS has has revised visa interview waiver eligibility criteria, limiting it to applicants renewing the same visa category within 12 months of expiration. Visa Application Centers are already turning away applicants who no longer meet the updated criteria, impacting many who previously qualified. The restriction of the interview waiver program is expected to increase demand for in-person visa appointments, leading to longer wait times and potential travel disruptions. Go here to see what applicants should do.
    
2. Philippines: Per Fragomen, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has recently issued new rules on the employment of foreign nationals in the Philippines. Under the new guidelines, the Labor Market Test has been expanded to require job postings in PhilJobNet, the government’s official job matching portal, and the Public Employment Service Office or Job Placement Office of the local government unit where the foreign national intends to work. Also, DOLE has amended rules regarding the Understudy Training Program and Skills Development Program, requiring certain employers to implement structured training initiatives to ensure skills and knowledge transfer from foreign workers to Filipino counterparts. Under the updated rules, foreign nationals applying for employment in the Philippines may face longer processing times, stricter evaluations, and additional documentation requirements.
    
3. Saudi Arabia: From Corporate Immigration Partners, Saudi Arabia has introduced a new requirement for exit visa applications. When applying, foreign residents must have at least 30 days of validity remaining on their residency permits. This change prevents last-minute exit visa requests and ensures foreign nationals do not overstay their legal work authorization. For permits with 30 to 60 days of validity, the exit visa will be issued for the remaining permit period. If the permit is valid for 60 days or more, the exit visa will have a maximum duration of 60 days.
    
4. Qatar: Qatar has introduced a new requirement for Dependent Family Entry Visa applicants, making it mandatory to register the education status of dependent children aged six to 18 with the Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MOEHE) before visa approval. This policy expands upon a rule previously applied only to Dependent Family Residence Permit renewals. You can learn more from Corporate Immigration Partners.
    
5. Thailand: According to Fragomen, in January, Thailand revised its Long-Term Resident (LTR) and SMART Visa programs to attract foreign professionals and investors. The USD 80,000 income requirement was removed for "Wealthy Global Citizens," and the employer revenue threshold for "Work-from-Thailand" applicants was lowered from USD 150 million to USD 50 million over three years. LTR Visa holders can now include unlimited dependents. The SMART Visa program will phase out overlapping categories, leaving only the SMART-S (Start-up) category. Additionally, the work experience requirement was removed for Work-From-Thailand and Highly-Skilled Professionals tracks.
    
6. Malaysia: Per EIG, the MYXpats Centre of the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Immigration Department of Malaysia will extend the ePass system to include other pass types, effective March 1, 2025. The hope is to enhance the efficiency of pass issuance for pass endorsement under Expatriate Services Division (ESD).
    
7. Japan: As noted by Envoy Global, Japan will increase application fees for several immigration and visa-related categories beginning in April 2025. As a result, the following fees will apply for online and in-person applications: 
   1.) Change of status or extension of stay: ¥5,500 (in-person) ¥6,000 (online). 
   2.) Permanent residency: ¥10,000 (both in-person and online). 
   3.) Multiple entry-visa: ¥7,000 (in-person) ¥6,500 (online). 
   4.) Certificate of authorized employment (CAE): ¥2,000 (in-person) ¥1,600 (online) 
    
8. Canada: Also from Envoy Global, Canada's Home Care Worker Immigration Pilots are a new program that will open on March 31, 2025. The program will give eligible foreign nationals a direct path to permanent residency in Canada. The new programs will replace any previous caregiver immigration pathways. Additionally, Canada has updated its Super Visa Health Insurance requirements, allowing applicants to purchase private insurance from select foreign providers. Effective January 28, 2025, this policy shift offers greater flexibility to visa holders while ensuring continued compliance with the super visa program’s conditions. 
   Also, EIG reports that on February 12, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced an update to Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, strengthening authorities to cancel temporary resident documents.
    
9. Denmark: A recent EIG update (Feb 7) outlines how the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has published updated wage statistics that apply to the Positive List for skilled work from February 20, 2025. 
    
10. Norway: Norwegian officials announced an increase in the minimum income threshold for individuals sponsoring family members. Per BAL, sponsors must demonstrate an annual income of at least NOK 400,000 (about USD 36,014) to meet the subsistence requirement to bring family members to Norway. The Ministry of Justice and Public Security is increasing the subsistence requirement by 0.5 times the National Insurance basic amount.
     
11. France: An impact report on a new immigration laws expected to come into force before the end of the year suggested the stricter requirements could lead to 60,000 people being refused permission to remain in France. The new language tests for foreigners are reportedly so difficult that even French citizens might fail. The tests, which cost around €100 (£83.20), are part of bill passed a year ago, that includes tighter border controls and tougher measures to expel foreign migrants. Ministers argue its primary aim is to promote greater integration of foreigners.
     
12. India: Fragomen notes that the Indian government has launched an electronic visa process for international students interested in pursuing higher education. The electronic visa is valid from one to five years, depending upon the duration of the course (extensions are available on a case-by-case basis). The online application process simplifies the visa application procedure for international students since it eliminates the need for a consular visit and provides faster processing.
     
13. EU/Schengen Area: Another Fragomen update - the following countries have internal checks at their borders in effect up to March-June 2025: Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Slovenia, and Sweden. Germany has extended internal border checks until September 2025. 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.

And if you're looking for more sources of useful information for your mobility programs, here's an assorted list of other immigration discussions and topics:

• TPG: 15 Places You Need A Visa or ETA to travel to with an American Passport
• U.S. Dept of State Travel Advisories:  There are 24 Level 4 “Do Not Travel” warnings currently and 23 Level 3 “Reconsider Travel" warnings.
• Envoy Global: Global News Alerts
• WERC: “Crisis Management: Best Practices for When the Unexpected Becomes Reality”
• WERC: How Companies Are Adjusting Their Immigration Strategies Amid Policy Uncertainty
• Fragomen: “Worldwide Immigration Trends Report: Challenges and Opportunities for 2025”
• Fragomen: Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
• Fragomen: Minimum Salary Changes Announced for 54 different countries
• EIG: The One Take: What the Laken Riley Act Means for Talent Mobility
• EIG Immigration Nerds Podcast: Immigration and the New Executive Orders