ICYMI: April 30 - May 13

It's that time again. Another 2 weeks have gone by and we are here to catch you up and hopefully make you aware of a few things that are coming. Check out these updates for effectively navigating today's mobility scene:

United States

• PERM Status: The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has released updated processing times for Prevailing Wage Determination (PWD) and Permanent Labor Certification (PERM). As of May 2026, the PERM (Program Electronic Review Management) process is facing significant, long-term challenges, with processing times exceeding 500 days (roughly 16–17 months) for initial review, making the overall labor certification process a 22-to 26-month ordeal, or longer if audited. The system is experiencing high volumes, leading to a backlog of over 190,000 applications by early 2026. PERM is a requirement for most EB-2 and EB-3 employment-based sponsorship cases. There is no expedited option for the PERM stage, leaving applicants entirely dependent on the slow DOL queue. Practitioners report roughly 30% of cases are being audited, up from ~15% in previous years. Audits add another 8–14 months to the timeline.
• Mileage reimbursement rate: Amid a spike in gas prices, Sen. Ruben Gallego is urging the IRS to raise the standard mileage rate for business use of automobiles. The IRS rate, currently set at 72.5 cents per mile (up 2.5 cents from 2025), is a standard used by many businesses to determine how much to reimburse employees for the miles spent driving on the job or when using their car for relocation related trips. The IRS has previously adjusted rates mid-year when gas prices caused the annual rate to become obsolete, as seen on July 1, 2022 and high, unprecedented gas price spikes in 2026 have prompted calls for a mid-year increase. TBD and we will let you know if any adjustment is made soon.
• Summer travel considerations: In the current climate of stricter immigration policies and practices, foreign nationals planning international travel should carefully consider the risks and requirements. Anyone who decides to travel should ensure prior to departure that they have all the necessary documents in order to reenter the United States. Those who will need to apply for a visa abroad should prepare for additional scrutiny and possible delays in visa issuance. Expect thorough screening upon return to the U.S.
• H.R. 6644: The latest update from WERC on H.R. 6644 shows the situation remains fluid but is moving in a cautiously constructive direction. The House is increasingly inclined to amend the bill, particularly the Section 901 institutional investor provisions, rather than pass the Senate version as-is, though leadership hasn't committed to that path yet. For global mobility programs, the core concern remains: as currently written, the bill's broad definition of "institutional investor" could be misapplied to BVO and AVO programs, where an RMC temporarily takes title to an employee's home on behalf of the employer before selling it to a new buyer, a tax-advantaged transfer tool that has nothing to do with Wall Street portfolio building. WERC is actively pushing for explicit carve-out language that makes that distinction clear in the final bill. In the meantime, the most impactful action mobility leaders can take is looping in their corporate government affairs teams, who can reach out directly to House members and carry significant weight in those conversations.

Hong Kong

• The Hong Kong Labor Department has confirmed that the Statutory Minimum Wage (SMW) has increased from HK$42.1 to HK$43.1 per hour, effective May 1, 2026.  

India

• The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has overhauled the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) program after more than a decade. Eligible foreign nationals can apply for an OCI Card without completing six months of stay in India, as previously required. If they have a valid long-term visa and required documents, they can submit the application soon after arrival in India. This is expected to reduce administrative delays and improve mobility. There is also now an option for eligible foreign nationals to obtain an electronic OCI (e-OCI) card (in addition to a physical card, which is now optional). As of April 1, 2026, India requires all foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, to complete and submit a digital e‑Arrival Card within 72 hours before arriving in the country. 

Malaysia

• Effective May 15, 2026, the Malaysian government has introduced revised conditions for online appeal submissions for rejected Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications filed through the Expatriate Services Division system. Under the new framework, appeals must be submitted within 14 days from the date of rejection at the Expatriate Committee Meeting, significantly shortening the previous six-month timeframe.

Romania

• The Romanian authorities have enacted a significant overhaul of their immigration framework for non-EU workers. Published in the Official Gazette on April 27, 2026, the Emergency Ordinance No. 32/2026 on the access of foreigners to the Romanian labor market introduces a digitalized system to replace the current work permit and visa process. The existing framework will be replaced by two new long-stay visa types: D/AM1 for highly qualified workers and special categories, not subject to quotas or the List of Shortage Occupations and D/AM2 for general labor, subject to an annual quota and a newly introduced List of Shortage Occupations.

Poland

• As of April 27, 2026, all residence permit applications must be filed online via a government portal; except for very limited exceptions, in-person applications are no longer accepted. Applicants must create individual accounts, and signing the application requires an electronic signature. Appendices provided by employers must also be signed electronically.  Additionally, it is no longer possible to submit an application and then subsequently add any missing employer appendices at a later stage.

Czechia

• The Czech government has been undertaking a comprehensive overhaul of its immigration processes since January 2026, including major reporting reform affecting employer obligations, all with the aim of streamlining operations and advancing digitalization. It is possible that more changes will be announced. See alert for info on EU Blue Card salaries, language requirements for permanent residence, citizenship exams, recognition of same-sex marriages and impact of minor offences.

Schengen Area

• Appointments for submitting Schengen C visa applications are limited amid increased application numbers during the peak travel season of May to August. Travelers should plan as much in advance as possible for upcoming travel to the Schengen Area. It is also recommended that businesses and business travelers remain flexible to ensure sufficient time for obtaining the appropriate visa prior to travel to the Schengen Area.

Middle East

• There continue to be closed airspaces and flight suspensions in the region. The situation is fluid and is expected to escalate quickly and broadly in the region. Employees should monitor government updates and register their presence at their respective embassy where requested/able. Employers should confirm employee and dependent safety across the Middle East; maintain current employee data; review travel and assignments against government advisories; validate contingency plans; and communicate regularly with affected employees.

United Kingdom

• The U.S. Embassy and Consulates in the United Kingdom have posted a security alert following the raising of the national terrorism threat level to “severe” by the U.K. government on April 30 after the recent terrorist attack in the London suburb of Golders Green. Severe threat levels mean a terrorist threat is “highly likely.” A list of cautionary actions and contact information for assistance can be viewed here.