ICYMI: Nov 27 - Dec 10

As the holiday season approaches, mobility professionals face a familiar challenge: government office closures worldwide. During this period, many immigration agencies will close or operate with reduced staff, resulting in processing delays for work permits, residence permits, and visas that may extend well into the new year. Employers and foreign nationals with travel or relocation plans should contact their immigration service providers early to discuss how holiday closures might impact their specific circumstances. Here's our latest ICYMI update covering key developments from November 27 through December 10.

United Kingdom

• Starting February 25, 2026, the UK will fully enforce its Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme under a "no permission, no travel" policy. Travelers from 85 visa-exempt countries—including the United States, Canada, Australia, and all EU member states—must obtain an ETA before boarding flights, trains, or ferries to the UK. The £16 ETA can be obtained online or via app, typically approved within minutes, though applicants should apply at least three working days before travel. Carriers will face fines for boarding passengers without valid ETAs. British and Irish citizens, including dual nationals, are exempt but should travel on their British passports to avoid boarding issues.

United States

• The December 2025 Visa Bulletin shows employment-based Final Action dates advancing for most categories. EB-1 for China advances one month to January 22, 2023, while India advances one month to March 15, 2022. EB-2 and EB-3 categories also show forward movement. USCIS will accept employment-based adjustment of status applications based on the Dates for Filing chart in December.
• USCIS reduced the maximum validity period from five years to 18 months for several categories of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), including adjustment of status EADs.
• Effective December 26, 2025, DHS will expand biometric data collection requirements for all non-US citizens at ports of entry and exit. All foreign nationals may be required to be photographed when entering or exiting the US, with DHS also authorized to require fingerprints or other biometric data.
• Starting December 15, 2025, the US will begin social media screening for all H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, representing increased scrutiny of foreign nationals seeking temporary work authorization.

Canada

• On December 8, Canada announced a new Express Entry category specifically for international doctors with at least one year of Canadian work experience in eligible medical occupations gained within the past three years. Invitations to apply will begin in early 2026.
• The Canadian government will reserve 5,000 federal admission spaces for provinces and territories to nominate licensed doctors with job offers—these spots are in addition to regular Provincial Nominee Program allocations.
• Nominated physicians will receive expedited 14-day work permit processing, allowing them to work while their permanent residence applications are finalized.
• Canada announced its 2026 international student cap, limiting study permit processing to 408,000 permits divided between new applicants and extensions.
• Effective November 25, 2025, Canada officially lifted the visa requirement for citizens of Qatar, allowing Qatari nationals to travel to Canada for business or leisure without a visa.

Greece

• In November 2025, Greece launched a new Startup Golden Visa program allowing investors to obtain five-year residence permits by investing at least €250,000 in Greek startups registered with Elevate Greece. To qualify, investors must not hold more than 33% of the enterprise's equity, must create at least two jobs within the first year, and maintain that workforce for five years.

Singapore

• Effective January 30th, 2026, Singapore will implement a stricter no-boarding directive for flights to Singapore, increasing enforcement of documentation requirements before travelers board aircraft.
• Singapore's Ministry of Manpower will end the Work Permit (Performing Artiste) scheme on June 1, 2026, citing widespread abuse of the program.

Malaysia

• Malaysia implemented a mandatory pass validity period shortening and new exit clearance requirement effective December 2, 2025. Foreign nationals should verify their pass validity and understand new exit procedures to avoid complications when departing.

Ireland

• Ireland issued a notice allowing travel on recently expired residence permits over the 2025-2026 holiday period, providing temporary relief for foreign nationals whose permits expire during the holiday season.
• Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment published a roadmap that gradually increases minimum salary thresholds for employment permits, effective March 1, 2026, and continuing through 2030.
• Ireland now allows minor dependent children (age 16+) of employment permit holders to work under Stamp 1G, replacing the previously restrictive Stamp 3.

Germany

• Germany will increase social security thresholds effective 2026, which will correspondingly raise salary thresholds for different residence permit categories.

Bahrain

• Bahrain reduced the minimum real estate investment for its Golden Residency Visa from BHD 200,000 to BHD 130,000 (USD 345,000), making the residency-by-investment option more accessible.

Georgia

• Georgia introduced a new Information Technology Sector Permit on December 8, 2025, creating a specialized pathway for IT professionals.

India

• India introduced a new E-Production Investment E-Visa on December 8, 2025, facilitating entry for foreign nationals involved in film and media production investments.

Australia

• Australia launched a new mobile app for biometrics collection for certain eligible visa applicants on December 8, 2025, allowing applicants to submit biometric data remotely.

Finland

• Finland will implement stricter citizenship requirements effective December 17, 2025. Applicants must demonstrate sufficient financial resources and cannot have relied on unemployment benefits or social assistance for more than three months total during the past two years.

Poland

• Poland updated its temporary residence permit application form and annexes effective December 1, 2025, with electronic submissions planned for 2026 through the new MOS2 portal.

Bulgaria

• Bulgaria adopted a decree establishing new minimum wage levels effective January 1, 2026, which will impact salary requirements for work permits.