ICYMI: Jan 8 - Jan 21

This week's update covers 11 countries, including a major US visa suspension affecting 75 countries. We also cover global shipping developments and housing market data affecting mobility programs.

India

• The Government of India has raised concerns with the United States over delays faced by Indians in securing US visa appointments, citing hardship to individuals. The difficulties extend to work visa appointments, with Indian H-1B applicants facing significant backlog at US consulates. January interview slots that many were aiming for are now being rescheduled as late as September 2026, adding to the uncertainty around employment-related travel.

Malaysia

• The government of Malaysia has introduced additional clarifications to the upcoming Employment Pass (EP) reforms, including revised minimum salary thresholds, maximum EP validity periods and expanded Dependant Pass eligibility. These changes will take effect on 1 June 2026. Envoy Global emphasizes that the revised thresholds, effective 1 June 2026, may affect not only new hires and renewals but also dependent eligibility, domestic helper permissions and labor market testing.

South Korea

• South Korea has formally extended the temporary exemption from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K‑ETA) requirement for nationals of countries and regions already exempt from K‑ETA (See 22 countries here). The Ministry of Justice confirmed that the exemption will remain in effect from 1 January 2026 through 31 December 2026, as published on the official K‑ETA website and in notices issued by Korean consulates. 

Bahrain

• Effective January 2026, the employer monthly contribution rate increased by 1% for Bahraini nationals employed in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to reach a total contribution for both employee and employer of 22% of the pensionable salary. This continues Bahrain’s current policy of increasing its employer contribution rate annually by 1% between 2023 and 2028.

Chile

• Chilean President Gabriel Boric declared a state of catastrophe in two southern regions on Sunday, as raging wildfires forced more than 50,000 people to evacuate and killed at least 18 people. The largest fires are in the regions of Nuble and Biobio, where the government declared the emergency. The regions lie about 500km (310 miles) south of the capital, Santiago.

Mexico

• Employers registered with the National Immigration Institute (INM) are required to submit updated annual tax returns to the INM every year to renew their Corporate Registration Certificate. Employers that fail to renew their Corporate Registration Certificate by April 30, 2026, may be unable to continue sponsoring foreign nationals for initial or renewed temporary residence visas.

Denmark

• Denmark has updated its annual fee schedule for SIRI‑processed residence permit applications, raising costs across all major case types.  Work permit fees increase from DKK 6,055 to DKK 6,810; Study permit fees rise from DKK 2,255 to DKK 3,060; Au pair and intern fees increase slightly from DKK 4,210 to DKK 4,305 and accompanying family fees rise from DKK 2,380 to DKK 3,080.  

Finland

• Finland has introduced a draft amendment to the Passport Act and Identity Card Act that would increase the maximum validity of passports and personal identity cards from five years to 10 years, aligning Finnish travel documents with those of many other EU member states.  The proposal follows the government’s April 2025 policy decision to restore the 10-year validity period, which Finland previously offered before reducing it in 2006 due to security concerns. 

Italy

• Recently, there were several changes made to EU Blue Card applications on the Italian Ministry of Interior’s portal, causing delays and other difficulties when filing EU Blue Cards. Country experts consider that these changes will result in processing delays of between three to four weeks, though this timeframe may decrease as authorities refine the process, and potentially take on feedback regarding streamlining the process.  

United Kingdom

• The UK Home Office published updated guidance outlining the English language levels required for various immigration routes and the approved methods applicants can use to meet those requirements. The document organizes each visa category by its required CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level and clarifies how applicants can demonstrate proficiency through approved tests, academic qualifications, or nationality‑based exemptions. 

United States

• Fox News reported on a U.S. State Department memo that would indefinitely suspend visa processing for visitors from 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. Several of the reported 75 countries are already included on a full or partial travel ban list that prevents immigrant visa issuance, unless the applicant is eligible for a travel ban exception. The agency is implementing the suspension through an internal cable that is not available to the public. Although the internal cable is not currently publicly available here is list of those countries that news outlets are reporting: The list of 75 Countries. CNN shared that Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Haiti, Somalia, and Russia are included.

• Premium processing fees will increase effective March 1st. The premium processing fee for I-140 immigrant worker petitions and most Form I-129 nonimmigrant worker petitions will increase to $2965, from $2805. Fees for premium processing of certain other petitions and applications will also increase. The new fees will take effect for filings postmarked on or after March 1, 2026.

• Renting is cheaper than owning a home with a mortgage in every large metro. Across the country, U.S. homeowners with a mortgage pay 36.9% more a month than renters. Among the 100 largest metros, San Francisco has the largest cost difference between renting and owning with a mortgage. The gap there is $1,565. Bridgeport, Conn. ($1,427), and New York ($1,409) follow. 

• Many mobility programs are monitoring travel issues and local disruptions as they deploy “duty of care” advice to their mobile employees. The Twin Cities is now on the list of areas of concern for some programs, especially those with international expatriate programs.

Global shipping update: Expect a year of continuing volatility! Entering 2026, the global shipping industry faces a "soft" market, characterized by significant overcapacity, muted consumer demand, and intense competition among carriers. This situation, coming after years of disruption, has created a "shipper's market" in terms of rates, but carries high risks of financial instability for operators. Here are the key challenges shaping the landscape currently:

1. Overcapacity and falling freight rates: This is being caused by too many ships and low demand, plunging rates, and aggressive competition. A massive influx of new container ships—with 1.4 million TEUs delivering in 2026 and a 30%+ increase to the current fleet—is outpacing demand.

2. Geopolitical Instability and Red Sea Disruptions: The ongoing crisis in the Red Sea is making routing around the Cape of Good Hope the “new normal” for many, lengthening voyage times and increasing operational costs which get passed on to consumers! While carriers are beginning to test a return to the Suez Canal in early 2026, this potential reopening brings new disruptions, including port congestion and vessel bunching.

3. Regulatory and Environmental Pressures: EU ETS expansion, FuelEU Maritime and Environmental levies are elevating costs for compliance and biofuel prices. Ultimately, rising biofuel prices, combined with lower fossil fuel prices, are increasing the costs of complying with new low-emission fuel requirements.

4. Trade Policy, Tariffs, and Structural Shifts: Tariff volatility is rampant, there is a shift to nearshoring along with the removal of de minimis exemptions. Trade is increasingly diversifying away from China toward Southeast Asia, India, and Mexico, altering traditional trade lanes and creating new infrastructure bottlenecks. The removal of de minimis exemptions (tax-free imports) is changing e-commerce logistics, particularly for air cargo, creating a pivot in how goods are handled. 

5. Labor Shortages and Operational Hurdles: A crackdown on non-domiciled CDLs (Commercial Driver Licenses) in the U.S. has threatened to remove thousands of drivers from the road, threatening to tighten trucking capacity just as ocean freight struggles. Sophisticated, tech-driven cargo theft, including fake brokers and "deceptive pickups," increased by nearly 30% in late 2025, with high risks continuing into 2026.

6. Panama Canal Water Levels: Despite improvements in late 2025, long-term climate change and El Niño events have created chronic drought risks for the Panama Canal, with expectations of lower water levels reducing daily transits for 2026

   Taken together, these updates point to a year of continued complexity across immigration policy, logistics, and housing. We'll keep tracking the developments that matter most to mobility programs and share updates as conditions evolve.