ICYMI: March 19 - April 1

Shifting immigration policies, evolving tax regulations, dynamic labor markets, and ongoing geopolitical developments…oh my! Mobility never stays still, does it?

Kicking things off, we have tied this post back to some new data coming from ECA International. Geopolitical volatility is making some COL forecasting nearly impossible. ECA is flagging Iran as too unstable to predict (no surprise there), with currency depreciation and conflict-driven inflation pulling indices in opposite directions. For mobility programs in the broader Middle East, that uncertainty is itself the signal — and a reminder that static allowance structures are poorly equipped for environments where cost inputs can shift dramatically between survey cycles. Mobility may consider off-cycle adjustments for existing expats in the region.

For programs running balance sheet or net-to-net approaches: The currency volatility creates real equity problems — assignees on older packages may be significantly over- or under-compensated relative to peers placed more recently. A portfolio review of Middle East assignees for internal equity is worth considering. 

Ultimately, companies that built their international compensation structures around stable, predictable data cycles are now operating in an environment where those cycles are too slow. The action is less about any single allowance and more about whether the program has the governance mechanisms to respond quickly when conditions deteriorate. Talk with your data provider to consider program adjustments!

Here is your bi-weekly list of key updates from around the globe. If you move employees into any of these locations, you'll want to stay on top of what's going on for the sake of compliance, cost management, and employee well-being. 

Middle East

• Our partners tell us that the situation remains calm among the population, with no panic movement observed. Water and food supplies remain widely available. Many residents have chosen to extend their spring break abroad during the distance learning period, planning to return when schools reopen on campus.
• While there have been significant airspace incidents reported in several locations across the region, including in Dubai as recently as the afternoon 3/31, overall business operations continue and the population is largely maintaining normal routines. Malls, public spaces, and roads remain busy.
• Escalating conflicts have led to cancelled flights and airport closures, impacting transit, according to Smartraveller. Our partners tell us that Emirates is currently operating at approximately 80% of its usual network.
• A worldwide caution alert remains in place for U.S. citizens abroad due to potential terrorism and violence, say U.S. Department of State (.gov) and U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Brazil (.gov)
• Get visa updates on Bahrain, Canada, India, Israel, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE and more.
• Schools are operating in line with local calendars, though remote learning continues in Kuwait and some KSA locations. It has been announced that schools in the UAE will continue distance learning until 17th April, with the situation reviewed weekly.
• Precautionary measures among clients and assignees continue, including: Temporary relocations or travel adjustments, increased requests for property checks and key-holding services while travelling, queries regarding tenancy management and lease continuity – our partners are seeing more requests for lease extensions rather than 12-month renewals due to the current uncertainty.

Malaysia

• Malaysia will centralize expatriate hiring processes under a new fully digital platform, streamlining approvals for companies in the manufacturing and selected services sectors. Malaysia announced a major modernization of its expatriate hiring framework with the launch of the MIDA Expatriate System (MES), a unified platform designed to simplify and accelerate end‑to‑end expatriate application processing.  Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) will administer the system starting 16 March 2026.

Japan

• Japan assignees facing a double squeeze. The yen has depreciated 6% against the U.S. dollar since ECA's September 2025 survey, and the Strait of Hormuz disruption is expected to push Japan's already-high import costs even higher — meaning cost-of-living indices for assignees headed to Japan are likely to rise when ECA publishes its full survey results in May.

India

• Starting this past October 1, 2025, foreign nationals entering India have had to submit an application for an e-Arrival Card online, replacing the traditional paper disembarkation card. The government has announced the permanent discontinuation of physical disembarkation cards for foreign nationals, effective April 1, 2026. Travelers are advised to complete the digital e-Arrival card in advance to help ensure a smoother arrival experience.

New Zealand

• Beginning April 20, 2026, open work visas will be issued with one of two employment conditions: (1) permitting any lawful work, including business activity; or (2) limiting work to employment arrangements with an employer. Get a closer look.

Australia

• Australia getting more expensive for U.S.-based programs. The Australian dollar has strengthened 8% against the USD in 2026, driven by the Reserve Bank's hawkish stance and earlier commodity price gains. Companies sending assignees to Australia should anticipate upward index movement and review allowance adequacy ahead of the May ECA data release.

European Union

• The European Union’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) is set to be fully operational as of April 10, 2026, following a progressive rollout that began Oct. 12, 2025. The EES will replace passport stamping with digitally recorded entries, exits or refusals of entry of non-EU nationals coming for short stays. The system collects biometric data such as facial image and fingerprints, which allows identity fraud to be more easily detected. The EU has shared positive results from the progressive rollout of the system to 29 European countries.

Sweden

• As of June 1, 2026, EU Blue Card validity periods will increase to four years, up from the current two years; while seasonal work permit validity permits will be extended to nine months over a 12-month period, up from the current six months. This reform – especially the EU Blue Card change (which doubles the validity period) – will make Sweden more attractive for talent, and reduce talent pipeline challenges for employers. 

United Kingdom

• The United Kingdom (U.K.) has published an updated Policy Paper: U.K. Visa Fees, introducing new immigration and nationality fee levels that will take effect on 8 April 2026. The revised table outlines updated costs for a wide range of visa categories, including visitor, work, student, settlement and naturalization applications. 

Panama

• Panama has introduced a new residence permit for researchers, scientists and exceptional talent professionals, with a pathway to permanent residence after a two-year provisional period.  The program targets internationally recognized professionals in scientific and technological fields who will be affiliated with a local institution in Panama.  

Canada

• Canada's immigration system has been subject to major reforms, including expansive executive powers over immigration applications, immigration documents, and temporary residents, under a new bill which has just become law. The Act (Bill C-12) provides the Governor in Council with broad executive powers over immigration applications, immigration documents, and temporary residents. Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent and became law as of March 26, 2026.
• Canada published its annual fee increases for certain citizenship and immigration applications, including those for permanent residence and right of citizenship. Get the key takeaways here.
• Canada announced a new, temporary work permit to help the Quebec government retain skilled workers while reviewing their eligibility for permanent residence. The employer-specific work permit allows eligible workers to continue working for their current employer for up to 12 months while the Quebec government reviews their eligibility to apply for permanent residence.

United States

• The U.S. Department of State issued a worldwide caution advisory, urging Americans traveling abroad to exercise increased vigilance amid rising geopolitical tensions.

• Don't be surprised if your next batch of handraisers are looking to leave the U.S. Last year more people moved out than moved in. More citizens are replanting overseas, drawn by a quality of life made easily affordable by the U.S.’s enviable salaries. 

• The Department of Labor (DOL) has released a major Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that would revise how prevailing wages are calculated for employment‑based immigration programs, including H‑1B, H‑1B1, E‑3, and PERM (EB‑2 and EB‑3). The rule seeks to realign prevailing wages with labor market data and strengthen protections for US workers. Take a deeper dive.

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reached the H‑2B cap for the second half of Fiscal Year 2026 and has published filing dates for the second and third supplemental visa allocations. More here.

• War impacting mortgage rates: The war in the Middle East continued to weigh on the U.S. housing market, as mortgage rates climbed for the fourth week in a row, squeezing Americans already struggling with high housing costs. The average 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage rate climbed to 6.38 percent, according to the mortgage-financing giant Freddie Mac, up from 6.22 percent the week before and the highest level since the first week of September. More from Kiplinger.

• The State Department updated global visa wait times on March 27, 2026. The average wait times reported do not guarantee a visa applicant will get an appointment within a specific time. U.S. embassies and consulates regularly release additional appointment slots. See the locations with the longest average wait times for specific visa types here. 

One consideration in the week ahead, many government offices worldwide will be closed or operating on reduced schedules in observance of the Easter holiday in April. These closures may affect the filing, adjudication and processing of immigration applications and related services. Employers and foreign nationals should anticipate potential delays and are encouraged to check the relevant government agency websites for confirmed holiday schedules and operational updates in each jurisdiction.