ICYMI: Sept 4 - 17

Let's start this bi-weekly update out with a couple of quick tips…If you travel in and out of the U.S., you may already know about this free app that streamlines the process for individuals and groups passing through U.S. Customs - The Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app. I have used it over the last year and it has been a huge time saver for getting through customs and back home after a long trip away. 

Then, one of our shipping partners shared: “I suggest that if you do not have overtime for weekends and evenings deliveries covered in your policy, you consider adding that in. Yes, there is an additional cost; however, there may be a reduction in temporary housing costs and productivity gains as the transferee deals with their delivery on their own time. During peak season, there are some markets where a Saturday is the only day for crew availability for a week or two.”

OK, next let's catch you up on some of the “goings on” around the world. As of September 2025, global travel is experiencing increased air passenger demand, significant disruptions from strikes in Europe, and major changes to entry requirements in the U.S. and the EU :

United States 

• Effective September 30, the fee for the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for visa-exempt travelers is set to double from $21 to $40. 
• On September 9, 2025, the U.S. Department of State announced that it had issued all available EB-3 and “Other Workers” (EW) immigrant visas for fiscal year 2025 and will not release additional visas in these categories until October 1, 2025. EB-1 cap also reached: As of September 6, 2025, the EB-1 immigrant visa cap for FY 2025 is closed until October 1, 2025
• The U.S. Department of State has elevated its travel advisory to level 2 for Americans traveling to Cambodia and Thailand, citing rising border tensions.
• The Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue MSA seems to be feeling inflation the most, according to the data. Area prices have risen 1.4 percent over the past two months and 2.7 percent over the past year. It’s no wonder that Washington residents need to earn more than $106,000 a year to live comfortably.
• Milwaukee? Yes, Milwaukee where the median for-sale property remained unsold for just 32 days—roughly half the national days-on-market figure for August, making it the fastest-selling metro among the top 50.
• NYC housing cost increases are being felt by everyone as at least 65,000 households making between $100k-$300k per year pay a third or more of their gross income to landlords. However, there are other cities where rents are falling: Rents in Las Vegas (-13.6%), Atlanta (-13.6%), and Austin, TX (-13.4%), are seeing the largest price cuts from their peaks, highlighting prime opportunities in these markets.

Canada

• Effective immediately, employers applying for a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to hire foreign workers must use the “Direct Apply” feature on Canada’s National Job Bank as part of the advertising requirements. Employers are required to accept and review all applications submitted through Direct Apply, and failure to do so may result in non-compliance with LMIA rules and rejection of the application. 

Europe

• A series of strikes by aviation workers—including air traffic controllers, ground staff, and baggage handlers—is causing disruptions across Europe in September. Key areas affected include: 
  • Italy: EasyJet and ground staff strikes are occurring at multiple airports.
  • France: Air traffic controller strikes are anticipated from September 18–19.
  • Spain: Baggage staff at major airports are planning regular walkouts.
  • Portugal: Ground staff strikes have been scheduled throughout September.
  • Netherlands: Dutch carrier KLM was forced to cancel 100 flights in early September due to ground crew strikes. 

France

• The “Talent – Qualified Employee” residence permit covers employees on assignment, employees of a young innovative company and young graduates. Effective August 31, 2025, these residence permits now have a standardized salary threshold, no longer based on the minimum wage (SMIC), but on an average annual gross salary set by ministerial order. The ministerial order of August 29, 2025 sets the average annual gross salary applicable to the “Talent – Qualified Employee” residence permit at EUR 39,582.

Sweden

• Back in May, the Swedish Migration Agency had commenced a pilot scheme that allows work permit and student permit applicants to submit necessary passport information (including facial recognition) via an online application. As of September 10, this program has now been expanded to all 74 visa-free nationalities.  

United Kingdom

• After a week of travel chaos as a result of London Underground (RMT) service strikes, tube lines are back to running normally. Many are concerned, though, that this issue will resurface until a proper deal is reached.
• The United Kingdom (UK) Home Office has expanded access to its UK eVisa Access Expansion program, enabling more visa holders to use the country’s digital immigration system. Through a UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, eligible individuals can now view and manage their immigration status online, replacing reliance on physical documents. The update primarily affects two groups: individuals who previously received a Form for Affixing a Visa (FAV) and those who obtained a visa extension without holding a valid identity document, such as an expired passport or Biometric Residence Permit (BRP). Both groups are now eligible to create a UKVI account and transition to eVisa services.

Malaysia

• Malaysia has implemented updates to the Malaysia Professional Visit Pass (PVP) position list, effective September 1, 2025. The revised list applies to all PVP applications submitted through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online system and is intended to improve compliance and streamline the adjudication process.

South Korea

•  As of August 31, South Korea has introduced “fast track immigration” with dedicated immigration counters at Incheon International Airport to reduce wait times for foreign nationals entering the country for business purposes. 

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia has launched a 60-day grace period for foreign nationals whose employment contracts have expired without renewal. The policy, integrated into the QIWA digital labor platform, grants non-Saudi workers a two-month window to take action before facing removal from official employment records.

New Zealand

• The New Zealand Government has announced the closure of the Entrepreneur Work Visa and introduced a new Business Investor Visa to attract experienced investors who will help grow New Zealand’s economy by actively running businesses. 
• Additionally, the country has announced that it is making changes to how occupations are assessed under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) program, following the creation of new roles in the National Occupation List (NOL) in the July update.

India

• India updated passport photo requirements to comply with ICAO standards.