ICYMI: Sept 3 - 16

It's a little darker in the morning when I get up to feed the dogs, and the sun is setting sooner these days with fall officially only a few days away! With almost 3/4ths of the year behind us, the changes continue to come. Today, we look around the world to consider the possible impacts to your talent mobility programs:

United States

• Per the Morning Brew, August was a hot month…but not for home sales: Sales of existing homes fell 2% from July to their lowest rate since June 2025, and the pressures on the housing market don’t look like they’re going away any time soon. However, according to NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, “Existing home sales are actually up 1.6% year-to-date through the first eight months of the year. Homebuying demand, despite higher interest rates, is no doubt being supported by rising wages, which grew 3.1% in August, along with 643,000 net new jobs added since the start of the year. Job creation and wage growth typically drive housing demand.” 
• According to Mortgage News Daily, while Freddie Mac shows a sub-7% 30yr fixed mortgage rate, their methodology makes the number (at the time if this writing 6.76%) lower than reality. Freddie no longer accounts for "points" (additional money paid upfront for a lower rate). In other words, 6.75% with one point is roughly the same rate as 7.00% with no points. With all that in mind, last week's average top-tier 30yr fixed rate was up to 7.07%, a substantial 2-day change and the highest rate we've seen since May 21, 2025, a 15 month high. As of mid-September, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is sitting at about 7.43%, up from about 6.43% in early July. Now the Fed has raised interest rates but that doesn't mean mortgage rates will automatically rise. Fixed mortgage rates, meanwhile, tend to be more closely tied to longer-term bond yields, including the 10-year Treasury yield.
• Currently, H-1B, L, O, and TN workers who are laid off may receive a discretionary grace period of up to 60 days (or until the end of their authorized stay, whichever is shorter) to: find a new employer, file a change of status, apply for adjustment of status or otherwise maintain a lawful presence in the US. DHS proposes to eliminate this provision such that foreign nationals would generally be expected to leave the United States immediately upon cessation of the employment or activity that formed the basis of their status, unless they already possess another independent lawful basis to remain in the country
• The Department of Labor (DOL) has issued its latest report on PERM and prevailing wage determination (PWD) processing times. Also, it has initiated the process to propose a new regulation that would revise the PERM labor market test and other aspects of the labor certification program; the proposal is under review at the Office of Management and Budget.
• On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts issued a nationwide preliminary injunction preventing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) from implementing its new rule that would have replaced the longstanding “duration of status” framework for F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors, and I visa holders (foreign journalists).
• The White House Fraud Task Force coordinated with the Department of Labor to target alleged visa fraud and protect American workers. The U.S. Department of Labor Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito announced the suspension of permanent labor certification (PERM) and H-1B visa filings for Cognizant and Cloudera in September 2026 during a federal employment visa fraud investigation. PERM is the required first step for employers to sponsor foreign workers for permanent residency or green cards in the United States.
• The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) officially backed away from its highly controversial proposal to eliminate expired visas as an acceptable form of identity. Under the finalized version of 37 Texas Administrative Code § 15.24, a foreign passport accompanied by a U.S. visa—whether valid or expired—will remain acceptable as a form of primary identification for obtaining or renewing a Texas driver's license, provided it is paired with an unexpired Form I-94. The proposal had faced severe pushback from immigration lawyers, advocacy groups, and over 660 individuals during the public comment period.

Mexico

• There is a significant increase in immigration processing times at the National Institute of Migration (INM) office in Mexico City. The current delays are primarily affecting the following processes: Work permit applications, Visa exchanges (Canje) for Local ID obtention, Issuance and delivery of Local IDs, Work Permit/Residency renewals, family based residencies, permanent residence applications, appointment availability for filing purposes. Based on the latest operational information available, processes that previously took approximately one to two weeks may now require four to six weeks. Other procedures may also take close to the maximum statutory processing period.

Canada

• Effective Sept. 1, 2026, foreign nationals from the United Kingdom are eligible to receive Canadian work permits under the CPTPP Professionals category. According to the government update, all instructions have been amended to reflect the addition of the United Kingdom.

Venezuela

• Venezuela has introduced a new multiple-entry visa called the PRO-V-90 visa for foreign nationals performing eligible work activities without an employer or pursuant to a Venezuelan company’s invitation to provide a professional service. The foreign national cannot have an employment relationship with the Venezuelan inviting company, nor can they receive employment-related compensation or remuneration from the Venezuelan company.

Switzerland

• Per Numbeo, Switzerland has the top two locations with the highest cost of living: Zug at #1 and Zurich at #2. The country also has 8 of the top 10! 

Ireland

• The Irish government has approved the preparation of draft legislation which, if progressed, would represent a significant change to Ireland’s naturalization regime. The proposals include: 
  • Increasing the qualifying period of residence for most applicants from five years to eight years
  • Introducing language tests in English, Irish or Irish Sign Language.  
  • Introducing a civics, society and politics test.  
  • Requiring that applicants for citizenship by naturalization demonstrate financial self-sufficiency.

Netherlands

• See new minimum salary changes that were announced here. There are updates on the 30% preferential tax treatment rule, work Permit-related minimum salary levels, short-term work permit (valid up to 90 days), EU Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) Permits, Highly Skilled Migrants, and EU Blue Cards.

Denmark

• Effective January 1, 2027, under a new pathway called the Collective Agreement-Based Business Scheme, eligible Danish employers will be able to hire foreign nationals from Albania, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Singapore, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. To be eligible, the employer must be covered by a relevant collective agreement, have been operating for at least two years, and have at least 10 full-time employees in Denmark, among other requirements. 

New Zealand

• Starting November 16, 2026, applications for New Zealand’s new Short-Term Graduate Work Visa and the Post-Study Work Visa must be submitted through the enhanced Immigration Online platform. The platform provides a more streamlined application process, improved application tracking and requirements reflecting the latest immigration rules. Paper applications for the Post-Study Work Visa will no longer be accepted from this date, though those submitted on or before November 15, 2026 will continue to be processed. 

Philippines

• The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has announced that, effective September 3, 2026, through the Bureau of Local Employment (BLE), all Alien Employment Permit (AEP) applications must be submitted through the official online portal. This includes all new, renewal, exemption, and exclusion applications. AEP applications submitted by email, hard copy, or walk-in submission are no longer accepted. Only applications with a duly completed application form and complete documentary requirements will be accepted and processed.

Hong Kong

• Various hedge funds, wealth management companies and investment banks are expanding into Hong Kong, bringing international talents with them into the city. Expatriates relocating to Hong Kong are fueling demand in the city’s luxury residential market, with rents expected to climb 5% in 2026.