ICYMI: Oct 30 - Nov 12

According to LHH, nearly 70% of organizations say they’re shifting direction every three months, or even more often. We see it. There are many signs of companies struggling with constant change in 2025, including high employee burnout or “quiet cracking”, struggling supply chains, pressure on cost structures, and an inability to adapt to shifts with the global economy and advancement of new technologies.  So to help you work smarter, not harder, we share our latest ICYMI bi-weekly post to review some of those changes out there that could have an impact on your global mobility programs and mobile talent!

Europe

• Here are some insights shared from TPG on the new entry/exit system.  "After years of delays, the European Union’s long-awaited new entry/exit system has finally begun rolling out — and travelers are already feeling its impact. In fact, it almost caused me to miss my flight a couple of weeks ago. The new biometric system, which will ultimately replace passport stamping, officially launched Oct. 12. It’s designed to speed up immigration by recording fingerprints and facial scans of non-EU travelers entering and leaving the bloc.
  However, as I experienced flying out of Brussels, even partial use of the new system is causing significantly longer immigration lines than usual. While the new system should eventually lead to quicker immigration checks — as similar biometric immigration processes have in other countries, such as Australia, Canada and Singapore — for now, you should allow yourself extra time when entering or leaving the European Union.

South Korea

• The South Korean government has rolled out the K-star Visa which aims to attract outstanding foreign talent in science and technology. Select university presidents will recommend exceptional foreign students for long-term residence and those recommended will be eligible to convert to an F-2 residence visa immediately upon graduation. K-Star Visa holders will benefit from a three-year (instead of the typical six-year) path to permanent residency in South Korea.

• Pressure on the real estate market has kept rental prices on an upward trajectory. Seoul's rental market is experiencing significant increases in monthly rents, driven by decreasing housing supply and a shift from jeonse (lump-sum deposit) to monthly rentals due to tightened loan regulations. The average monthly rent for apartments in Seoul from January to October 2025 was approximately 1.13 million Korean won (~$780), representing a steep rise from previous years. The prices of general groceries and imported goods are on the rise, and this trend is expected to continue for the next few months. Over the next 3 to 6 months, inflationary pressure is likely to persist. While government intervention may help stabilize prices, it is unlikely to create significant business opportunities.

Japan

• Challenging rental market conditions persist, with rents approaching highs not seen since before the economic crisis of the late 2000s. In some cases, assignees are topping up their housing allowances to align with the local market. An increasing number of families from non-English-speaking countries have difficulty securing spots in international schools due to language considerations. There has been a pick-up in activity since the beginning of autumn that suggests  we are entering a more active period for moves to Japan after a somewhat slow first half of 2025 (by recent standards). 

Hong Kong

• The availability of serviced apartments has decreased and is getting tighter lately, owing to high demand as the year-end and new year approach. Hong Kong's outlook next year remains positive as the Government continues to attract talent and investors through various admission schemes, actively seeking professionals, entrepreneurs, and individuals with substantial contributions assets. Residential rents are projected to reach record highs due to an inflow of non-local talent and students. However, home prices might not budge due to high supply levels, and developers are offering discounts to stimulate sales.

Singapore

• The Q4 2025 market is soft, with many landlords willing to negotiate rent. Availability is good, but popular areas and larger units are scarce and still command high prices. Competition may even exist for 3-bedroom units in prime developments. Tenants with specific needs or pets might have fewer options. Looking ahead, slower GDP growth, geopolitical issues, and global uncertainties could limit rent increases. Landlords are cautious about lowering rents due to mortgage debts. Singapore remains one of the world’s most expensive cities, with high costs for international schools (around S$50,000+ per child per year), private cars, and leisure activities.

Panama

• The National Immigration Service has introduced a grace period until December 31, 2025, allowing foreign nationals to report changes to their address or personal data without incurring a penalty. Updates must be submitted to the National Immigration Service’s Foreign Registry Department, accompanied by supporting documents such as notarized public deeds or lease agreements, responsibility letters, judicial certificates, utility bills, and copies of Panamanian identity cards, as applicable. Foreign nationals are advised to consult their immigration professionals for individualized guidance.

Saudi Arabia

• According to new labor contract rules that are part of the Kingdom’s Vision 2030 program, employment contracts must now be recorded on both the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development’s Qiwa portal and the Ministry of Justice’s Najiz platform.
• Saudi Arabia has changed several rules regarding health insurance for temporary work visa applicants, including that:

1. The health insurance policy must be obtained prior to the issuance of a temporary work visa; previously, a policy could be obtained after the issuance of the temporary work visa.  
2. The health insurance must now be provided by the visa-sponsoring entity’s registered health insurance provider, and this insurance provider also must be approved by the Council of Cooperative Health Insurance (CCHI) – a health insurance regulatory body in Saudi Arabia. Previously, health insurance from any provider on Enjaz was sufficient.  
3. The health insurance provider must now provide a copy of the insured individual’s passport and temporary employment contract to CCHI. This will ensure the insurance policy is linked to the individual’s passport record on the CCHI system. Previously, this was not necessary.       

• As anticipated, the two-phase Saudization rate policy went into effect as described below. November 22, 2024: Effective in 2025, Saudi Arabia will increase Saudization rates for four private-sector healthcare professions as follows:

1. Medical laboratories: 70% (up from the current 60%);
2. Physiotherapy: 80% (up from the current 60%);
3. Radiology: 65% (up from the current 60%); and
4. Therapeutic nutrition: 80% (up from the current 60%).

United Kingdom

• As part of efforts to fully digitalize its immigration system, the United Kingdom is phasing out the use of physical immigration documents, with eVisas to replace current physical equivalents. By the end of 2024, physical immigration documents such as Biometric Residence Cards, Biometric Residence Permits, passport endorsements, and physical ‘vignette’ visa stickers which provide proof of the immigration status a person holds will no longer be issued. Instead, from 2025, the immigration status of all persons will be recorded electronically and will be accessible through an online United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) account, linked to the individual’s travel document.
• The United Kingdom and Switzerland have agreed to extend their Services Mobility Agreement through the end of 2029, allowing professionals from both countries to continue working across borders with simplified procedures. UK service providers can work in Switzerland for up to 90 days per year without needing a work permit. Swiss professionals can enter the UK for up to 12 months under a streamlined visa route. The agreement covers sectors such as finance, legal, technology, consulting and creative industries. 

United States

• Per Bloomberg, even though there looks to be a chance to end the government shutdown, “Air travel disruptions continued to mount, with more than 2,000 flights cancelled and an air traffic controllers’ union warning of an “erosion of safety.” And it doesn’t look like the situation is going to improve anytime soon.”
• Potential impacts to international shipments: Paramount Transportations shares that domestic “first-leg” and “last-leg” flight segments of international shipments may be constrained. Many passenger flights that carry cargo in their bellies are subject to reduction, which may limit capacity for freight connecting to or from international flights. Spot and premium air-cargo rates may increase as carriers consolidate schedules and prioritize higher-yield shipments. Congestion at key U.S. cargo hubs included in the mandate may result in delays for freight transiting through those locations.
• The Federal Reserve lowered the benchmark Fed Funds Rate by 25 basis points to a target range of 3.75% to 4%. The Fed Funds Rate is what banks charge each other for overnight loans. It doesn’t directly set mortgage rates, but it influences borrowing costs across the economy. Home prices are still higher than last year, but growth has cooled. If mortgage rates continue to decline, renewed buyer demand could once again push prices upward.
• The Department of Labor (DOL) is accepting applications for PERM, H-2A, and H-2B labor certifications, labor condition applications (LCAs), and prevailing wage determinations, under a plan for continuation of limited activities at the agency during the federal government shutdown. Employers have begun to receive approvals of labor certifications and LCAs filed before the shutdown took place on October 1.
• The FY2027 H-1B cap season is approaching fast, and this year employers face a very different landscape. The Trump administration recently announced new rules that would tie lottery selection to wage levels and increase fees for certain petitions. These changes come on top of tighter eligibility reviews, closer government scrutiny, and more pressure to get filings right the first time. If this is of interest, sign up for the HRDIVE webinar: "From Uncertainty to Action: How People Leaders Can Prepare for the FY2027 H-1B Season".
• California's AB 692, effective January 1, 2026, fundamentally restricts how employers can use "stay-or-pay" repayment agreements for relocation benefits and immigration costs. Learn more about how is impacted and what to do next!

Great Benchmarking Opportunity for mobility programs! ECA International has specialized in global mobility for over 50 years and has been running benchmarking surveys for more than 30 of those. ECA’s International Relocation Benefits Survey explores how organizations support employees relocating on long-term international assignments – covering temporary accommodation, shipping, allowances and more. Participants receive complimentary access to the survey report as well as full benchmarking results. The survey is open until 21 November and takes around 30 minutes to complete. Take it now and benchmark those assignment policies right at the beginning of the new year!

Take the survey: ECA’s International Relocation Benefits Survey