ICYMI: Sept 18 - Oct 1

Here's a chance to deploy the latest work trend, "micro-shifting" which involves breaking up work into shorter, non-linear blocks to allow for other activities during the traditional work day. It's especially trendy among Gen Zers and millennials, per a survey of 2k US employees by video conferencing company Owl Labs. Per “The Hustle”, nearly a fourth of survey respondents said they had no official end to their work day (and some report no start time either), while 59% schedule personal appointments during working hours. Many of us probably already do this without calling it "micro-shifting." You go to work in the morning, take a break to go to the dentist or get a haircut, go back to work, leave to pick up your kids or walk your dog, have dinner and family time, and cram in a bit of work before bed. Congrats, you’re a micro-shifter! You're probably a multi-tasker too huh?! So read on while you do whatever else you need to do. 

To support your efforts of effectively navigating the constantly changing global mobility environment, we bring you our next ICYMI bi-weekly update. Check out the latest on the following locational trends, issues, and challenges:

United States

• H1-B: Of course, right after we sent out our last update, two days later (Friday, September 19), Trump’s proclamation raised the H-1B fee from $215 to $100,000. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said at the signing that the move would compel companies to choose between hiring an H-1B employee and making a “$100,000-a-year payment to the government,” or hiring an American. Per Erickson Immigration: Existing H-1B visa holders do not have to rush back before the Proclamation takes effect. H-1B visa holders with international travel plans can proceed as planned. It applies to the next upcoming lottery cycle FY2027. They expect that immigration and legal advocacy groups will challenge the Proclamation in the courts. If you have 20 minutes, try the EIG “Immigration Nerds” podcast to catch up on the "H-1B Proclamation & Changes Special Report". 
• In addition to a proposed $100,000 fee for new H-1B holders, the Trump administration is proposing a rule that would institute a weighted selection process for the visas designed to favor more highly skilled, highly paid workers. These workers are concentrated in the tech industry: Amazon had nearly 15,000 H-1B visa holders approved this fiscal year, per The Wall Street Journal, while Microsoft and Meta each had more than 5,000. The policies also disproportionately affect India, and the country’s trade negotiators plan to raise the issue in talks with the US. The new fee “caught everyone off guard,” JPMorgan Chase’s Jamie Dimon told CNBC. The policies will likely face court challenges.
• Get updated FAQs on the impact of H-1B Wage Rules here.
• The U.S. has launched a “Gold Card” program.
• Most are likely aware the U.S. is on the verge of a government shutdown that would have an impact on US relocation and assignments. Take a review of what global mobility should consider!

Canada

• Here's a great update on the Canadian housing market along with some good advice for handling relocations that acknowledges the current housing market there. The basic gist: Relocation packages matter more than ever. Across Canada and the U.S., employees are increasingly immobile without structured help. Some help does not need to break the bank. Look carefully at elevating home marketing assistance. (Thanks Mike Deane!)
• Prime Minister Mark Carney has indicated Canada is looking to introduce measures to attract talent impacted by the United States’ H-1B fee hike.

Europe

• On Saturday, September 20, a cyberattack causes disruption at Europe's busiest airports. Passengers were left stranded at Heathrow, Brussels, and Berlin airports following the reported cyberattack on Collins Aerospace, an American aviation company headquartered in North Carolina. 
• Americans traveling to Europe will soon have their fingerprints scanned and picture taken when they arrive in countries like France, Italy and Spain under new regulations (Entry/Exit System - EES)  being rolled out across the continent starting next month. Those who don't provide such biometric data will be told au revoir, arrivederci or adiós.

Czech Republic

• Effective October 1, 2025, employers will be required to notify the Czech Labor Office at least one day prior to a foreign worker’s commencement of employment. Currently, such notification can be provided on the employee’s first day of work, at the latest. Breach of this rule may result in a fine of CZK 300,000 (approximately $13,000 USD as of September 25).

Portugal

• Due to ongoing administrative delays in Portugal, Temporary Residence Permit appointments are now being scheduled up to six months after the expiry of the D visa (which has a 120-day validity), with no visa-extension option available. As a result, foreign nationals are facing extensive international travel restrictions while they await the issuance of their Temporary Residence Permit.   

Egypt

• The Ministry of Labor has instructed labor inspectors to conduct intensive, phased inspection campaigns at workplaces across Egypt to ensure compliance with the country’s new labor law, which came into effect on September 1, 2025. The inspections will focus on identifying foreign nationals working in Egypt without the required work permits and authorizations. Employers who breach these laws face fines ranging from EGP 20,000 to EGP 100,000, with penalties doubled for repeat offenses.   

China

• China has announced the introduction of a new “K visa” category, effective October 1, 2025, designed to attract young Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professionals worldwide. This visa becomes the thirteenth category under China’s entry-exit rules, providing greater flexibility and no requirement for employer sponsorship, unlike traditional work permits.

Taiwan

• Beginning October 1, 2025, Taiwan will discontinue paper-based arrival cards and replace them with a mandatory digital system, the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), for foreign nationals who do not hold Taiwanese residency status, including those without Resident Visas, Alien Resident Certificates, or diplomatic documents. As a result, tourists, business travelers, and other short-term visitors will be required to complete the TWAC before traveling to Taiwan.  

Hong Kong

• At this time last week, in the early hours of Wednesday (9/24), the Hong Kong Observatory raised its highest storm alert as Typhoon Ragasa intensified to hurricane-force winds. After hitting the Philippines and killing 17 people in Taiwan, the storm moved across Hong Kong and into Southern China. This obviously impacts talent mobility across the region and will create backlogs for shipments and travel. Programs are in communication with their assignees across the region.

India

• Starting October 1, 2025, foreign nationals entering India will have to submit an application for an e-Arrival Card online, replacing the traditional paper disembarkation card.  The e-Arrival Card can be completed up to 72 hours before arrival through the official Indian Visa Online website or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile app, requiring details like passport information, contact details, purpose of visit and address in India. Physical cards will be available during a transition period (that will last up to six months), but travelers are encouraged to use the digital option for a faster experience. 

Indonesia

• The Indonesian government’s TKAOnline work permit portal has been inoperable since September 15, 2025, creating at least a one-week delay in work permit issuance and processing. If the system issues are not resolved by September 22, 2025, the processing delay is likely to increase due to a backlog of cases.