ICYMI: Oct 2 - 15

This week's update covers important developments impacting global relocation and assignments. Below is a snapshot of the latest changes you may have missed.

United States

• E-Verify resumed operations on October 9 following a system outage. Employers must create an E-Verify case by Tuesday, October 14 for each employee hired while the system was unavailable.
• The latest H-1B news involves a new $100,000 fee on most new H-1B petitions filed after September 21, 2025. This would change the selection process to prioritize higher-paid workers. Other news includes the Department of Labor's new enforcement initiative and the anticipation of a broader H-1B reform rule that could tighten eligibility and increase scrutiny on employers. The Trump administration plans to publish a new rule restricting employers' use of H-1B visas. The rule would include redefining what qualifies as a “specialty occupation" and tightening requirements for third-party placements. The rule may also limit the duration of H-1B approvals for certain positions and increase documentation demands. 

Canada

• On October 8, 2025, the Government of Canada introduced Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, aimed at enhancing national security, modernizing immigration controls, and equipping law enforcement agencies with stronger tools to combat organized crime and illicit trafficking. The key objectives of the Bill are to secure borders, strengthen immigration oversight, and combat transnational crime and illicit financing.

Brazil

• As of October 8, 2025, foreign nationals are permitted to perform short-term technical and technology transfer activities in Brazil under “visitor status”, which previously required a temporary work visa. The change streamlines the immigration process for individuals seeking to enter Brazil for short-term technical assignments, but eligibility and permitted stay durations vary by nationality, requiring case-by-case review.

Argentina

• The government has announced that, effective October 6, 2025, the National Directorate of Migration (DNM), under the Ministry of the Interior, has begun digitally processing citizenship applications. Previously, these applications were processed by the Ministry of Justice. Eligible applicants must be over 18 years of age, born abroad, hold a temporary or permanent residence, and comply with the provisions of Article 2, paragraph 1 of the Citizenship Law 346 and its amendments.

United Kingdom

• The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) has completed Stage 1 of its 2-part review of the Temporary Shortage List (TSL). The MAC was commissioned by the UK government to recommend which occupations should be included on the TSL and how the TSL should be implemented and designed. The MAC identified 82 occupations that should be considered for TSL inclusion because they appear crucial to deliver the UK's Strategy and build critical infrastructure as part of the Stage 1 process. 

Germany

• On October 8, 2025, the German Bundestag passed legislation amending the Citizenship Act (Staatsangehörigkeitsgesetz), officially repealing the fast-track naturalization pathway that allowed exceptionally well-integrated foreign nationals to apply for citizenship after just three years of residence. The minimum residency requirement for naturalization is now five years, reinstating the standard timeline.

Thailand

• Starting October 13, 2025, foreign workers in Thailand and their employers will need to use a new online platform called ‘e-Work Permit’ to file foreign worker registrations (a step in the work permit process) and work permit applications. The new system aims to streamline both processes for employers and foreign employees by reducing paperwork and enabling real-time application tracking with faster approvals. 

China

• The Chinese Embassy in the United States has officially launched a new online visa application system (COVA) as of September 30, 2025, streamlining the process for travelers applying for visas to China. This update applies to applicants residing in the embassy’s consular jurisdiction, which includes Washington DC, Maryland, Virginia, and 13 other states.

Looking for quality resources to keep you up to speed on all things global mobility? Try some of these:

• Newland Chase: Q3 2025 Global Immigration Review. Find out what key global trends, jurisdictional insights, and strategic imperatives emerged this past quarter.
• For a full list of countries that have made changes to “minimum salary requirements”. check out Fragomen's list here.
• Lastly, we want to make you aware of a webinar that will share insights discovered  from a survey that was conducted in partnership with Ipsos Global Public Affairs, CERC and EuRA: Global Employee Mobility Survey Briefing. The webinar will be Wednesday, October 15th, 4pm CET. It will share insights from the largest survey on employee attitudes to global mobility in the last 10 years. Sign up here!