April 2025 - Open Balkan services commence

The Open Balkan system developed by Albania, North Macedonia and Serbia, now allows citizens of these countries to live and work in either of the other countries without a separate residence or work permit.

To apply, qualifying individuals need to first obtain an Open Balkan ID number through an online government portal. Then they can request a permit for free access to the labour market in the required country, valid for two years. This allows the holder repeated entry and work rights within the participating country.

March 2025 - Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2025

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that, from 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%. This is in line with changes to the annual Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE).

Income thresholds are indexed annually so wages for skilled migrants increase at the same rate as Australian workers. This aims to ensure that employers cannot use skilled migration to undercut Australian workers.

From 1 July 2025, indexation changes will be as follows:

• TheCore Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will increase from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This will impact nomination applications for the Core Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482) and the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186).
• The Specialist Skills Income Threshold (SSIT) will increase from AUD 135,000 to AUD 141,210. This will impact nomination applications for the Specialist Skills stream of the Skills in Demand visa (subclass 482).
• The Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) used for the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional visa (subclass 494) and the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS) (subclass 187) will increase from AUD 73,150 to AUD 76,515. This is in line with the CSIT and subject to approval of relevant legislation.

New nomination applications from 1 July 2025 must meet the new relevant income threshold or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.

This change will not apply to existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2025.

March 2025 - New Designated Area Migration Agreement for Northern Territory

On 19 March 2025, a new Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) for Northern Territory comes into effect.
The DAMA is the third DAMA established for the territory and will be in effect until 30 June 2030. It enables employers facing workforce shortages to access an additional 1,500 overseas workers annually across a broad range of occupations that are in critical shortage in the territory.

There are currently 13 DAMAs in place.  DAMAs are a formal arrangement between the Commonwealth of Australia and a designated area representative (DAR). A DAR may be a state or territory government or regional body.
Under the terms of a DAMA, the designated area may be able to access a broader range of overseas workers than is available through the standard skilled visa programs by allowing variation to standard occupations and skills lists and/or negotiable concessions to visa requirements.
Individuals cannot directly access a DAMA. Individuals need to be sponsored:
•    by an employer operating in a designated region, and
•    for an occupation that is specified in the head agreement
Individual DAMA labour agreements are between the Australian Government and endorsed employers/businesses operating within the relevant designated region. They:
•    are generally in effect for five years, and
•    use the subclass 482 Skills in Demand (SID), subclass 494 Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional), and subclass 186 Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) visa programs.
Employers must seek and gain endorsement from the DAR before lodging a labour agreement request online through ImmiAccount. The online form in ImmiAccount outlines the requirements and supporting documentation required for labour agreement requests.
Where a DAMA labour agreement is approved, the business will be able to nominate and sponsorskilled and semi-skilled overseas workers for certain occupations (each DAMA head agreement covers a specified range of occupations).

Jan 2025 - Changes to onshore Student visa applications

From 1 January 2025, the Department of Home Affairs will no longer accept Letters of Offers from individuals applying in Australia for a Student visa. Onshore applicants will be required to include a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) at the time of application. The change will only impact applications lodged on or after 1 January 2025. Visa applications lodged before that date using only a Letter of Offer from an education provider are not affected.

Not providing a CoE at the time of application will make an application invalid. Visa decision makers cannot assess an invalid application. An associated Bridging visa cannot be granted where the substantive visa application is not valid.

This change will align the requirements to provide evidence of an intended course of study for both onshore and offshore Student visa applications. Providing a CoE at time of visa application demonstrates a stronger commitment by the student to study at that institution. This will increase certainty for Australia’s international education sector.

There is no change to the alternative forms of evidence of intended course of study for Foreign Affairs, Defence or secondary exchange students.

Visa holders in Australia are responsible for ensuring they maintain a lawful status. Those intending to study and not able to obtain a CoE before their current visa expires will need to either depart Australia or explore other visa options. However, there are now restrictions to applying for a Student visa while in Australia when holding certain visas.

12/27/24

Updated visa framework for religious workers

From 13 December 2024, an updated Minister of Religion Labour Agreement (MoRLA) commences.

The new MoRLA supports religious institutions to access skilled workers from overseas.

The changes provide greater access to visa pathways for organisations that have an underlying religious focus, such as education and promotion of their faiths in a charitable or educational environment.

The new MoRLA also includes revised settings on salary, qualifications, work experience and English ​language to reflect the diverse religious practices and beliefs in Australia.

Until the Department of Home Affairs makes systems changes to the online labour agreement request form, applicants their add “n/a” in the nominee section of the form. This will allow them to continue with your application. The Department expects updates to the MoRLA request form in ImmiAccount in early 2025.

12/13/24

New invitation-only permanent visa for exceptionally talented migrants

Effective 7 December 2024,​the National Innovation (subclass 858) visa (NIV) replaced the Global Talent visa.

The NIV is an exclusive program for migrants with world-leading skills in areas such as advanced robotics, quantum computing and clean energy.

Exceptionally talented individuals need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the Department of Home Affairs (DHA). DHA will then invite a select number of people who have made an EOI to apply for a NIV.

DHA will process invitations to apply and NIV applications according to the following priority order:

1. Recipients of internationally prestigious awards. This includes Nobel Prize laureates, Fields Medal recipients, Booker Prize winners or Olympic gold medallists.
2. Exceptionally talented people in their field who are endorsed by a relevant Australian state, territory or federal government agency.
3. People with exceptional skills in critical technologies, renewables and low emission technologies and health industries.
4. Exceptionally talented people in agri-food and ag-tech, resources, defence capabilities and space, education, financial services and fin-tech, and infrastructure and transport.

There is no age limit for the NIV and English language requirements are flexible. DHA accept EOIs made from overseas or from people already in Australia on a temporary visa.

EOIs for the NIV are valid for two years and DHA may invite interested parties to apply for a visa during this time.

NIV holders can

• stay in Australia permanently,
• work and study in Australia,
• enrol in Australia's public health care scheme, Medicare,
• sponsor your relatives to come to Australia,
• travel to and from Australia for five years,
• if eligible, apply for Australian citizenship.

STEM start-ups can now access accredited sponsorship.  

From 7 December 2024, STEM start-ups that have received venture capital funding from a registered Early Stage Venture Capital Limited Partnership can apply to be an accredited sponsor.

Accredited sponsors receive priority processing for nominations and visa applications for:

• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) (subclass 494) visa
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482).

They will continue to receive priority processing when the Skills in Demand replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage visa on 7 December 2024​.

Before the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) considers a start-up for accredited status, they need to approve it as a standard business sponsor.

DHA has also strengthened the integrity of the accreditation process and will be more strictly enforcing accreditation requirements and sponsorship obligations.

From 7 December 2024, DHA will also update sponsorship obligations. This means that once a sponsored visa holder leaves their sponsor’s employment, the sponsor doesn’t have to ensure they only work in their nominated occupation.

Temporary employer sponsored visa holders who stop work with their sponsoring employer have up to 180 days at a time and 365 days across their entire visa grant period to:

• find a new sponsor
• apply for a different visa, or
• leave Australia.

Changes to skilled visa programme

​​​​​​A modernised skilled occupation list and a new Skills in Demand (SID) visa are included in changes to Australia’s skilled visa program begin on 7 December 2024.

Top of Form

Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL)

The CSOL replaces existing multiple skilled occupation lists previously used for the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS visa). The CSOL has more than 450 occupations in sectors such as:

• construction
• cyber security
• agriculture
• health.

The list is based on labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia​. It will only apply to the SID Core Skills stream and Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa (Direct Entry stream).​​​​

Skills in Demand (SID) visa

The Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa replaces the Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) visa. The SID allows most visa holders to stay in Australia for up to four years. It offers a streamlined process for both migrants and employers needing more skilled workers to grow their businesses.

SID visa holders have a clear pathway to permanent residence. This will give certainty to both migrants and employers.

The SID visa has three streams:

• Core Skills stream to meet targeted workforce needs. Most SID visa holders will use this stream.
• Specialist Skills stream. This stream will help drive innovation and job creation.
• Labour Agreement stream. This stream will be replaced by an Essential Skills stream (under development).

With a SID visa, applicants:

• have a pathway to permanent residence. Any work with an approved employer counts towards permanent residence.
• benefit from a work experience requirement that is one year less than the TSS. SID applicants must have one year of work experience in their nominated occupation or related field.
• have the same English language requirement as the TSS medium-term stream.

SID visa Specialist Skills stream

This stream recognizes that highly skilled migrants lift national productivity. It is for applicants who meet general eligibility requirements and are:

• in any occupation on the ANZSCO 2022 except ANZSCO Major Group levels 3, 7 and 8: 
  • trades workers
  • machinery operators
  • drivers and labourers;
• earning at least the Specialist Skills Income Threshold of AUD 135,000 and no less than Australian workers in the same occupation.

SID visa Core Skills stream

This stream is for applicants who meet general eligibility requirements and:

• have an occupation on the CSOL that has been identified as being in shortage.  This also applies where the government has committed to giving access to our labour market through international trade agreements
• will be paid a salary at or above the new Core Skills Income Threshold of AUD 73,150.

Applications for the TSS visa closed on 6 December 2024. The Department of Home Affairs will process all outstanding applications lodged before then in line with existing arrangements.

Arrangements for existing TSS visa holders

TSS visa holders will still have a pathway to permanent residence. This is subject to meeting all relevant eligibility criteria.

Bottom of Form

Simpler pathways to permanent residence for certain skilled migrants

From 7 December 2024, Top of Form

changes have been made to the Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa for workers in occupations of national shortage.

The changes relate to the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) and Direct Entry (DE) streams.

Changes to Temporary Residence Transition stream

• Applicants can count all periods of sponsored employment towards their two-year work experience requirement. This does not just apply to employment with their sponsor.
• Applicants who have been employed in a related field or received a promotion can count this work towards the work experience requirement.
• Applicants are required to provide evidence they meet the work experience requirement, rather than the nominating employer.
• The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) replaces the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT). This is the same amount of AUD 73,150, indexed annually.
• Age exemptions under the Temporary Skill Shortage visa still apply under the Skills in Demand visa. These include exemptions for regional medical practitioners and high-income applicants. Without an exemption, applicants need to be younger than 45 at the time of application.
• Changes to the Temporary Residence Transition stream do not extend to the Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (subclass 187). This visa closed in 2019, except for certain transitional groups who can access the program in limited circumstances. This access continues for those eligible.

Changes to Direct Entry stream

The modernised single Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) applies to this stream. This replaces the Medium- and Long-Term Strategic Skills List. The CSOL is based on labour market analysis and Jobs and Skills Australia stakeholder consultation. It includes more than 450 occupations in sectors.

The CSIT also applies to this stream. It will replace the TSMIT at the same amount of AUD 73,150, indexed annually.

12/9/24

New core skills occupation list

On 3 December 2024,​ the Australian Government announced the release of the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL).

The new CSOL fulfils the Government’s commitment to replace complex, out of date and inflexible occupation lists in our temporary skilled visa program. The CSOL is a single consolidated list, informed by labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) that provides access to temporary skilled migration for 456 occupations.

The CSOL will apply to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa, which will replace the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa on 7 December 2024. The CSOL will also apply to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.

More details on other reform taking place on 7 December 2024, including the Skills in Demand visa and National Innovation visa, will be announced shortly

11/19/24

Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) announced for India

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has announced that, from December 2024, graduates and early career professionals from India’s top universities can register in the pre-application ballot for a Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) (subclass 403) visa.

If selected in the ballot, applicants will be required to meet additional criteria for the grant of a subclass 403 MATES stream visa.

There will be 3000 temporary visa places each year through the visa pre-application ballot process. Participants will be able to bring eligible dependent family members.

Eligible fields of study include:

• renewable energy
• mining
• engineering
• information and ​communications technology
• artificial intelligence
• financial technology
• agricultural technology.

Applicants, who must be aged from 18 to 30 years (inclusive) can be inside or outside Australia to register in the ballot. There is a ballot registration fee of AUD 25.

10/7/24

New work and holiday visa ballots

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has noted that, on 1 October 2024, a pre-application process (visa ballot) commenced under the Working Holiday Maker (WHM) program.

Visa ballot registrations opened for the following high-demand Work and Holiday (subclass 462) countries:

• China
• India
• Vietnam.

Visa ballots are used to randomly select first Work and Holiday applicants from partner countries where demand exceeds the number of places available in a program year.

DHA will conduct random selections of registrations over program year 2024-25, then will notify​ those randomly selected by email and instruct them to apply for a first Work and Holiday visa online.

Applicants will need to meet all the standard eligibility requirements of the subclass 462 visa to be granted entry into Australia.

7/12/24

Large visa application fee increase for international students

As of 1 July 2024, the fee for international student visas has been significantly increased from AUD710 to AUD1600.

This includes the Student visa (subclass 500) and the Student Guardian visa (subclass 590).

Other visa application fees have increased less dramatically.

Also from 1 July 2024, the Fair Work High Income Threshold (FWHIT) has increased from AUD 167,500 to AUD 175,000. Applicants aged 45 years or older must meet this new higher threshold to be eligible for a Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 494) or an Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) permanent visa (unless different exemptions apply.

7/5/24

ASEAN nationals can visit for longer

The Australian government has announced that it has extended the time people from Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries and Timor-Leste can visit to conduct business.

The government has extended the business visitor visa to up to five years, instead of up to three years, for applications lodged after 1 April 2024. These changes were announced by Prime Minister Albanese at the 2024 ASEAN-Australia Special Summit held in March.

Business visitors with a Visitor (subclass 600) visa can stay in Australia for up to three months at a time during multiple visits, for up to five years. Visa holders can visit to: 

• negotiate contracts 
• make general business or employment enquiries 
• participate in conferences or trade fairs
• be part of official government visits.

The government will also extend the ten-year visitor visa Frequent Traveller stream to ASEAN states and Timor-Leste later this year.

These measures do not include Myanmar.

The visa changes are part of the recommendations from Australia’s blueprint to deepen ties with Southeast Asia.

6/28/24

New citizenship application fees from 1 July 2024

From 1 July 2024, new citizenship application fees will apply. Fees are changing to reflect the cost of processing applications. On 1 July each year, indexation is applied to citizenship application fees based on the consumer price index (CPI).

The new fees apply to all citizenship applications received by the Department of Home Affairs (the Department) at or after 12 am (AEST) on 1 July 2024.​

The new fees applicable from 1 July 2024 are set out in the table here. There will be no changes to the eligibility for fee exemptions.

Online applications

• Those who apply online at or after 12 am (AEST) on 1 July 2024 will pay the new fee, regardless of when they started the application. The application is considered submitted when the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) receives it, along with the fee.
• For those who apply online and pay by credit card or debit card, PayPal, or UnionPay, the application and fee is generally received on the same day.
• Those who submit an incomplete application may need to submit a new application and pay the relevant fee.
• Online services, including ImmiAccount, may not be available between 2 pm (AEST) on 30 June 2024 and 9 am (AEST) on 1 July 2024 due to systems maintenance.  

Paper applications

• For paper applications sent by post, an application is considered submitted on the date DHA receives the application, not the date the application form is posted. If DHA receives the application at or after 12 am (AEST) on 1 July 2024, the new fee applies. To avoid the risk of postal delays, DHA recommends applying ​online where possible.
• If DHA receives a paper application without the full fee applicable on the date received, it cannot consider the application until the correct fee has been paid.
• Those who pre-paid a lower fee, but do not submit the application before the fee change, can make a ‘top-up’ payment using ImmiAccount.
• For those who do not pay the ‘top-up’ amount, the application will be returned. They will need to submit a new application with the correct fee.

6/24/24

Government changes certain visa conditions

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has announced that, from 1 July 2024, visa conditions 8107, 8607 and 8608 are changing in response to the government’s Migration Strategy. These changes address worker exploitation and productivity and support the labour market mobility of temporary migrants who have the following visas:

• Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457)
• Temporary Skill Shortage visa (subclass 482)
• Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (provisional) visa (subclass 494).

Holders of these visas who stop working with their sponsoring employer will have more time to find a new sponsor, apply for a different visa or arrange to depart Australia. These visa holders will have up to:

• 180 days at a time, or
• a maximum of 365 days in total across the entire visa grant period.

During this time, visa holders can work for other employers. This includes work in occupations not listed in their most recently approved sponsorship nomination. This will ensure that visa holders can support themselves while they look for a new sponsor.

Unless exempt, a visa holder cannot work for another employer unless they have ceased work with their sponsoring employer. Visa holders must remain in their nominated occupation while working for their existing sponsor.

Sponsors must still let the department know if there is any change in situation within 28 days. This includes ceasing sponsorship or if a visa holder resigns.

Visa holders must not carry out any work that is inconsistent with any licence or registration needed for their nominated occupation. This includes any conditions or requirements they are subject to.

The changes apply to existing visa holders, as well as those granted a visa on or after 1 July 2024. Any periods a visa holder stopped working for their sponsor before 1 July 2024 will not count towards the new time periods outlined above.

6/17/24

Closure of Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) subclass 188 visa

As part of the Migration Strategy, the government announced that it would not provide any new allocations for the Business Innovation and Investment program (BIIP) (provisional) subclass 188 visa while a new talent and innovation visa was considered. The new National Innovation visa will be available at the end of 2024.

The BIIP will close permanently from July 2024. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will not accept any new applications for the BIIP (subclass 188) visa. The Migration Review found that the BIIP is delivering poor economic results for Australia. Studies including work by the Treasury and the Productivity Commission support this finding.

DHA will process current BIIP (subclass 188) visa applications in line with government priorities and Migration Program planning levels. DHA will also tighten BIIP policy guidance so that all business migrants coming to Australia must have had a successful business career and will bring an economic benefit to Australia.

Those who hold a subclass 188 visa and meet the criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa can continue on this pathway after July 2024.

Those who hold a subclass 188 visa in the Business Innovation stream or the Significant Investor stream can still apply for the extension stream of the visa. This will give more time to meet the requirements of the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa.

Refunds for the subclass 188 visa application charge (VAC) will be available from September 2024 if you want to withdraw your application. DHA will give more information on when to withdraw and how to ask for a refund when they are available.

New restrictions on transferring to a Student visa

From 1 July 2024, Temporary Graduate, Visitor and Maritime Crew visa holders will be unable to apply for a Student visa while in Australia.

In addition to existing visas from which it is already not possible to apply for a Student visa onshore, the complete list of visa holders that will be unable to apply for a Student visa onshore are:

• Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) 
• Subclass 600 (Visitor)
• Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
• Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
• Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
• Subclass 771 (Transit)
• Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
• Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
• Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations)) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
• Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)

The changes to Student visa eligibility were announced as part of the release of the Migration Strategy earlier in 2024.

The Department of Home Affairs states:

Visa hopping has contributed to a growing cohort of ‘permanently temporary’ former international students living in Australia. These changes, combined with other measures, will help to close this loophole and put an end to this practice.

Temporary Graduate Visa holders should depart Australia, or find skilled jobs and/​​or other visa pathways, including those that may lead to becoming permanent residents of Australia. Visitor visa applicants who intend to study will be required to apply for their Student visa from offshore.​

Student visa applicants genuinely intending to pursue studies in Australia can apply outside Australia. Those who meet the criteria will be granted a Student visa.

6/7/24

Closure of Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) subclass 188 visa

As part of the Migration Strategy, the government announced that it would not provide any new allocations for the Business Innovation and Investment program (BIIP) (provisional) subclass 188 visa while a new talent and innovation visa was considered. The new National Innovation visa will be available at the end of 2024.

The BIIP will close permanently from July 2024. The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will not accept any new applications for the BIIP (subclass 188) visa. The Migration Review found that the BIIP is delivering poor economic results for Australia. Studies including work by the Treasury and the Productivity Commission support this finding.

DHA will process current BIIP (subclass 188) visa applications in line with government priorities and Migration Program planning levels. DHA will also tighten BIIP policy guidance so that all business migrants coming to Australia must have had a successful business career and will bring an economic benefit to Australia.

Those who hold a subclass 188 visa and meet the criteria for the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa can continue on this pathway after July 2024.

Those who hold a subclass 188 visa in the Business Innovation stream or the Significant Investor stream can still apply for the extension stream of the visa. This will give more time to meet the requirements of the Business Innovation and Investment (Permanent) (subclass 888) visa.

Refunds for the subclass 188 visa application charge (VAC) will be available from September 2024 if you want to withdraw your application. DHA will give more information on when to withdraw and how to ask for a refund when they are available.

New restrictions on transferring to a Student visa

From 1 July 2024, Temporary Graduate, Visitor and Maritime Crew visa holders will be unable to apply for a Student visa while in Australia.

In addition to existing visas from which it is already not possible to apply for a Student visa onshore, the complete list of visa holders that will be unable to apply for a Student visa onshore are:

• Subclass 485 (Temporary Graduate) 
• Subclass 600 (Visitor)
• Subclass 601 (Electronic Travel Authority)
• Subclass 602 (Medical Treatment)
• Subclass 651 (eVisitor)
• Subclass 771 (Transit)
• Subclass 988 (Maritime Crew)
• Subclass 995 (Diplomatic Temporary) – primary visa holders only
• Subclass 403 (Temporary Work) International Relations)) – Domestic Worker (Diplomatic or Consular) stream
• Subclass 426 (Domestic Worker (Temporary) – Diplomatic or Consular)

The changes to Student visa eligibility were announced as part of the release of the Migration Strategy earlier in 2024.

The Department of Home Affairs states:

Visa hopping has contributed to a growing cohort of ‘permanently temporary’ former international students living in Australia. These changes, combined with other measures, will help to close this loophole and put an end to this practice.

Temporary Graduate Visa holders should depart Australia, or find skilled jobs and/​​or other visa pathways, including those that may lead to becoming permanent residents of Australia. Visitor visa applicants who intend to study will be required to apply for their Student visa from offshore.​

Student visa applicants genuinely intending to pursue studies in Australia can apply outside Australia. Those who meet the criteria will be granted a Student visa.

Pacific Engagement Visa opens

The government has amended the Migration Regulations to create the new Pacific Engagement visa (PEV – subclass 192), as it promised in January 2024. Up to 3000 visas will be allocated to eligible Pacific island and Timor-Leste nationals each year.

The PEV has a pre-application ballot process, which opened on 3 June 2024. The government’s 2024-25 Budget includes plans to introduce a pre-application ballot process for Work and Holiday visas for nationals of China, Vietnam and India, and a new temporary visa for young professionals from India. Further amendments will be needed to implement ballot processes for these visas.

For both ballot processes, there will be a charge of AUD 25 to register (the same as proposed for the PEV). If a person is selected to apply, a separate visa application charge applies: the charge for a Work and Holiday visa is currently AUD 635 and a charge of AUD 365 is proposed for the MATES visa

5/31/24

Increase in the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that, effective 1 July 2024, the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) will increase from AUD 70,000 to AUD 73,150.

New nomination applications from this date will need to meet the new TSMIT of AUD 73,150 or the annual market salary rate, whichever is higher.

This change will not affect existing visa holders and nominations lodged before 1 July 2024.

These changes are in line with the government’s commitment at the Jobs and Skills Summit in September 2022.

5/24/24

Further details of the new pre-application ballot process for the Work and Holiday visa program for China, India and Vietnam

On 14 May 2024, the government delivered the 2024-25 Federal Budget. This included a new pre-application ballot process for the capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program for China, India and Vietnam, to help manage demand and application processing times, as demand is anticipated to significantly exceed available places for these countries.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has now released further details of this new procedure:

• An AUD 25 ballot registration fee will be payable, on top of the existing AUD 635 Visa Application Charge;
• Registrations for the first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa ballots for China, Vietnam and India will open later in 2024 (dates to be confirmed). Those interested in registering for a ballot will be able to submit an online registration form via ImmiAccount. The system will randomly select valid registrations electronically. DHA will notify selected registrants and give them a timeframe to make an online visa application;
• The pre-application process will only apply to first Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa applicants from China, Vietnam and India. Nationals of these countries who have already been granted a first Work and Holiday visa can continue applying for a second or third Work and Holiday visa online via ImmiAccount.

DHA says that the legislation and systems changes required to implement the pre-application ballot system took longer than expected and that, therefore, it has decided to pause applications from China until the new system opens, later in 2024.

5/17/24

Migration measures in 2024-25 budget

On 14 May 2024, the government delivered the 2024-25 Federal Budget, which includes several measures in the area of migration policy which may affect employers of foreign nationals in Australia.

The government:

• has set the permanent Migration Program planning level for 2024-25 at 185,000 places and allocated 132,000 places (around 70%) to the Skill stream (including both employer-sponsored and independent skilled visas);
• will reduce the work experience requirement for the Temporary Skill Shortage (subclass 482) visa from two years to one year for all applicants from 23 November 2024;
• will implement a new National Innovation Visa to replace the current Global Talent Visa (subclass 858) from late 2024. The Business Innovation and Investment visa program (BIIP) will close, with refunds of the visa application charge provided from September 2024 for those who wish to withdraw their BIIP application;
• will introduce a pre-application ballot process for the capped Work and Holiday (subclass 462) visa program for China, India and Vietnam, to help manage demand and application processing times. A ballot charge (initially AUD 25) will apply;
• will implement a new Mobility Arrangement for Talented Early-professionals Scheme (MATES) program for Indian nationals from 1 November 2024, as part of the Australia-India Migration and Mobility Partnership Arrangement (MMPA). This will provide a new mobility pathway for 3000 Indian graduates and early career professionals (aged 18-30 years at the time of application) with knowledge and skills in targeted fields of study to live and work in Australia for up to two years. The visa will have a pre-application (ballot) charge of AUD 25 and am application charge of AUD 365;
• has lengthened the validity of the Visitor Visa (subclass 600) Business Visitor stream for Indian nationals from up to three years to up to five years, also as part of the MMPA.

Several measures proposed in the government’s Migration Strategy in December 2023 have not been included in the latest budget – it is not clear when these changes will be introduced.

5/10/24

Increase to the Financial Capacity Requirement for Student and Student Guardian visas

From 10 May 2024, the amount of money that Student and Student Guardian visa applicants need to have to be eligible for the visa is increasing.

The financial capacity requirement has been updated to align with a proportion (75 per cent) of the national minimum wage. This will better indicate the amount of money considered reasonable to provide a minimum standard of living while studying in Australia. This proportion considers that students are out of course session for 25 per cent of the year. During this time they may return home or have access to unrestricted work.

The below table outlines the funds applicants need to show to meet the minimum financial capacity requirement, which will increase from 10 May 2024.

The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) will assess applications lodged before 10 ​May 2024 under the financial capacity requirements in effect at the time of application.

5/6/24

Changes to the Temporary Graduate visa program proposed to take effect 1 July 2024

The Australian Government announced changes to the Temporary Graduate visa programs in its recent Migration Strategy. These changes should take effect from 1 July 2024, subject to the passage of legislative amendments. Clarification of these changes is listed below.

Graduate Work stream

• The Graduate Work stream will be renamed the Post-Vocational Education Work stream.
• The maximum eligible age for Post-Vocational Education Work stream applicants will be reduced to 35 years of age or under.
  • Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided they are under 50 years of age.
  • Applicants no longer eligible for the Post-Vocational Education Work stream due to the age reduction may be eligible for a number of other visas. Explore your visa options.
• Applicants must hold an associate degree, diploma or trade qualification, closely related to their nominated occupation on the Medium and Long-term Strategic Skills List (MLTSSL).
• Applicants with a degree level qualification or higher will no longer be eligible for this stream. If an applicant holds one of these qualifications, they must apply through the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
• Applicants may continue to stay for up to 18 months.
• Hong Kong or British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.

Post-Study Work stream

• The Post-Study Work stream will be renamed to the Post-Higher Education Work stream.
• The maximum eligible age for Post-Higher Education Work stream applicants will reduce to 35 years of age or under.
  • Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders will continue to be eligible provided they are under 50 years of age.
  • Applicants no longer eligible for the Post-Higher Education Work stream due to the age reduction may be eligible for a number of other visas. Explore your visa options.
• The ‘select degree’ two-year extension will cease.
• Stay periods will change to the following:
  • Bachelor’s degree (including honours) – up to 2 years
  • Masters (coursework and extended) – up to 2 years
  • Masters (research) and doctoral degree (PhD) – up to 3 years.
• Hong Kong and British National Overseas passport holders may be able to stay for up to 5 years.
• Stay periods for Indian nationals, as agreed in the Australian Indian – Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement (AI-ECTA), remain as:
  • Bachelor’s degree (including honours) – up to 2 years
  • Bachelor’s degree (with first class honours in STEM, including ICT) – up to 3 years
  • Masters (coursework, extended and research) – up to 3 years
  • Doctoral degrees (PhD) – up to 4 years.

Second Post-Study Work stream

The Second Post-Study Work stream will be renamed the Second Post-Higher Education Work stream. There are no other changes to this stream.

Replacement stream

The Replacement stream will close.

4/16/24

New South Wales eases nomination criteria for Skilled Worker Regional visa (subclass 491)

The New South Wales (NSW) government has updated the nomination criteria for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1, effective 3 April 2024.

There are two pathways to NSW nomination for this visa: 

• Pathway 1 – Applying directly to Investment NSW for those who have an established work history with a regional NSW-based employer.
• Pathway 2 – Being invited to apply by Investment NSW.

Previously, applicants for Pathway 1 were required to have been living and working in a designated regional area of NSW for at least 12 months with a single regional NSW-based employer, among other requirements. Based on industry feedback, NSW government is now reducing this employment duration requirement to six months.

This change means that more skilled workers will be eligible to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1, opening up opportunities for those who have been contributing to the regional economy and communities for six months.

The following Pathway 1 criteria remain unchanged:

• Employment must be with a single regional NSW-based employer working from an established business premises in regional NSW.
•  The role must be in the applicant’s nominated (or closely related) occupation.
•  The occupation must be deemed skilled by NSW.
•  Applicants must be paid a minimum of the TSMIT salary level of $70,000 (prorated if under 38 hours per week) from their qualifying employer in the nominated (or closely related) occupation in the 6 months immediately before applying.

Further criteria must be met for all NSW nominations (pathway 1 or 2):

• Applicants must meet all visa requirements outlined by Home Affairs for this visa.
• Applicants must have a valid skills assessment in an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list for this visa.
• Applicants must be either currently residing: 
  • in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or 
  • offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.

NSW government also provided the following important reminders:

• Skilled employment must occur after NSW deems the applicant skilled in their occupation and must appear in their SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI).
• Applicants must lodge their visa application onshore and must not have a current visa application being decided by Home Affairs for a permanent visa.

3/22/24

New English language requirements

The Australian Government has made changes to English Language Requirements for Student and Temporary Graduate visas. 

This change was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 and applies to all Student and Temporary Graduate visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.

Temporary Graduate visa (TGV):

• The minimum score required for a TGV from IELTS test score increases from 6.0 to 6.5 (or equivalent), with a minimum score of 5.5 for each component of the test (reading, writing, speaking and listening).
• The test validity window for a TGV decreases from 3 years to 1 year. TGV applicants now need to provide evidence that they have completed an English Language test within 1 year immediately before the date of the visa application.

Student visa:

• The minimum score required for a Student visa from an IELTS test score increases from 5.5 to 6 (or its equivalent).
• The minimum score required to undertake a packaged ELICOS from IELTS increases from 4.5 to 5.0.
• For students studying English only through ELICOS, there will be no change.
• The test score required for students undertaking university foundation or pathway programs that deliver reputable English language training will be IELTS 5.5 (or equivalent).

Increasing English language requirements for students undertaking VET and higher education courses requires a similar increase in score for those taking packaged ELICOS courses. This ensures that students can transition successfully into their main course, with the appropriate level of English.

New Genuine Student requirement

Effective 23 March 2024, the Genuine Student (GS) requirement replaces the Genuine Temporary Entrant (GTE) requirement for Student visas.

This change was announced as part of the Australian Government’s Migration Strategy released on 11 December 2023 and applies to all Student visa applications lodged on or after 23 March 2024.

The purpose of this amendment is to clarify the assessment of a student’s intention to genuinely study in Australia and to remove the confusion about whether the student can express a desire to migrate to Australia.

Student visa applicants no longer need to satisfy the GTE requirement that they genuinely intend to only stay in Australia temporarily.

The GS requirement acknowledges that post-study pathways to permanent residence are available to those eligible graduates. International students with studies and qualifications obtained in Australia may provide a qualified skilled workforce ready to fill skill shortages in Australia.

The change is also intended to help the Department to identify non-genuine students who are seeking to enter Australia for purposes other than to study.

The GS requirement focuses on the assessment of the student’s genuine intention to study in Australia, having regard to a number of factors, including the applicant’s circumstances, evidence of course progression, immigration history, compliance with visa conditions and other relevant matter.

The GTE requirement will be retained for Student Guardian visa applicants.

2/9/24

ImmiAccount security enhancements

From 31 January 2024, all new and existing users of ImmiAccount must verify their email address. This first phase of security enhancements is designed to better protect ImmiAccount users.

Existing users with an unverified email address must verify or update their email address when they next log in.

New users must verify their email address when they create an ImmiAccount. They must ensure their email address meets the security requirements. This change will ensure all active users in ImmiAccount have a valid email address linked to their account.

2/2/24

Pandemic Event visa has closed

Effective 1 February 2024, the Temporary Activity visa (subclass 408) Australian Government endorsed events (COVID-19 Pandemic event) visa closed to new applicants.

The Australian Government introduced the Pandemic Event visa in April 2020 to allow temporary visa holders to remain in Australia lawfully while the border was closed. It also addressed labour shortages in critical sectors in the local economy.

Now that Australia’s borders are open and temporary visa holder numbers in Australia have returned to pre-COVID-19 levels, the Pandemic Event visa is no longer required.

Visa holders should ensure they remain lawful if they wish to stay in Australia and are encouraged to use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system to check their visa conditions and visa validity. Individuals who remain in Australia without a valid visa risk being detained and removed. They may also incur a debt to the Australian Government for the cost of their removal. 

The Department will continue to process all visa applications received before 1 February 2024. 

1/5/24

Extension of work rights exemption for Working Holiday Makers

The government has decided to continue the previous exemption process relating to visa condition 8547, while consultation on the Working Holiday program settings and reform process is underway, in line with the recently published Migration Strategy. 

From 1 January 2024, Working Holiday Makers can work for the same employer in Australia for more than six months without asking permission if the work is:

• in different locations and work in any one location does not exceed 6 months;
• in plant and animal cultivation anywhere in Australia;
• in certain industries, including  aged care and disability services, fishing and pearling, tree farming and felling, construction and mining, in northern Australia only;
• natural disaster recovery work;
• in critical sectors, including agriculture, food processing, health, aged and disability care and childcare, anywhere in Australia;
• in the critical sector of tourism and hospitality anywhere in Australia.

For any other situations not covered above, Working Holiday Makers must request for permission to work longer than six months with one employer.

12/26/23

Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa capped

The Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa has been capped from 22 December 2023. ​Applicants with a pending application will be able to apply for a repayment of their Visa Application Charge (VAC). As the authorities work through pending applications, applicants will be sent instructions on how to claim a repayment of their VAC through ImmiAccount.

The Skilled-Recognised Graduate visa is usually issued for a stay of up to 18 months and allows travel, work and study. Eligible applicants must be under 31 years of age; must have completed an engineering degree at a specified educational institution in the past 2 years; and must not have previously been the primary visa holder of a subclass 476 or 485 visa.

12/15/23

Student visa processing priorities

Ministerial Direction No. 107, signed on 14 December 2023, formalises the Australian government’s processing priorities for the student and student guardian visa programmes.

An evidence level is allocated to each Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)-registered education provider. The new Ministerial Direction works with the evidence level framework to prioritise applications from international students wishing to study in Australia.

Ministerial Direction No. 107 provides the highest priority to:

• student visa applications lodged outside Australia by:
  • Schools sector, Foreign Affairs or Defence sector, and Postgraduate Research sector applicants;
  • Higher Education, English Language Intensive Course for Overseas Students (ELICOS), Vocational Education and Training (VET), and Non-Award sector applicants studying at an education provider with an evidence​ level 1;
• subsequent entrant applications lodged outside Australia that include an unmarried family member under 18 years​;
• all Student Guardian visa applications (lodged in or outside Australia).

Any secondary applicant (spouse, de-facto partner or dependent child) who is included in the primary visa application will be given the same priority as the primary applicant.

Subsequent entrant means a secondary applicant for a student visa who did not make a combined application with the primary applicant / primary visa holder. 

Where the primary applicant intends to undertake two or more courses of study (course packaging), the application will be given the order of priority that applies to the principal course of study (i.e. the course of study with the highest Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level).

The new student visa processing priorities apply to all visa applications lodged on or from 15 December 2023, as well as applications lodged prior to this date that are yet to be finalised.

Student visa applications lodged in Australia will continue to be processed according to existing processing arrangements.

Removal of the Labour Market Testing (LMT) Requirement to Advertise on the Workforce Australia Website

On 11 December 2023, immigration law has been​ updated to remove the requirement for employers to advertise on the Workforce Australia website. This change will apply to subclass 482 and 494 nomination applications, and will allow employers greater flexibility in relation to how they undertake LMT.

At the same time, clarifying text has been incorporated into the updated instrument which indicates that nominated positions may be advertised over two or more overlapping periods totalling a minimum of four weeks.

This change is an immediate outcome of the Government’s Migration Strategy (see below).

Migration Strategy published

On 11 December 2023, the Australian government released its Migration Strategy, including significant reforms to the migration system.

The Migration Strategy builds on the findings of the first comprehensive review of the migration system in a generation, the 2023 Review of the Migration System​ (the Parkinson Review), and also the​ Rapid Review into the Exploitation of Australia’s Visa System​ (the Nixon Review).

The eight key actions are as follows:

1. Targeting temporary skilled migration to address skills needs and promote worker mobility

• A new Skills in Demand visa, with full mobility and clear pathways to permanent residence
• A new Specialist Skills Pathway to make it easier for Australia to attract highly skilled workers, for example in the technology or green energy industries
• A Core Skills Pathway to meet targeted workforce needs, with a simpler, regularly updated occupation list for the skills Australia needs
• New visa settings that give migrant workers more mobility in the labour market to help tackle worker exploitation and drive productivity
• Streamlined labour market testing (LMT) and visa processing.

2. Reshaping permanent skilled migration to drive long-term prosperity

• A commitment to explore a reformed points test for permanent skilled migration, and a new Talent and Innovation visa for migrants who can drive growth in sectors of national importance.

3. Strengthening the integrity and quality of international education

• Higher English language requirements for international students and graduates
• More scrutiny of high-risk student visa applications and a $19m investment into the Home Affairs student visa integrity unit
• Restrictions on onshore visa hopping that undermines system integrity and drives ‘permanent temporariness’
• Strengthened and simplified Temporary Graduate visa settings
• Measures to support international students and graduates to realise their potential.

4. Tackling worker exploitation and the misuse of the visa system.

• A new public register of employer sponsors to improve integrity and support migrant worker mobility.

5. Planning migration to get the right skills in the right places.

• A new approach to planning permanent migration over the long-term and greater state and territory collaboration on net overseas migration forecasts.

6. Tailoring regional visa and the Working Holiday Maker Program to support regional Australia and its workers.

• A new direction to ensure regional visas receive the highest priority visa processing.

7. Deepening people-to-people ties in the Indo-Pacific.
8. Simplifying the migration system to improve the experience for migrants and employers.

• The removal of 20+ unnecessary and duplicative visas to simplify the visa system.

11/27

End of the COVID-19 concession period

The Department of Home Affairs has announced that the COVID-19 concession period will cease on 25 November 2023. ​

From early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in international travel restrictions, and deteriorating business and employment conditions. The former government implemented temporary measures related to an initial concession period. This was to provide concessions for applicants of certain visa subclasses affected by travel restrictions and which made it difficult for them to meet visa requirements. This included where the applicant must be located at time of application.

The concession period is no longer relevant as all COVID-19 international travel restrictions have been lifted. Travellers to Australia no longer need to:

• provide information in relation to their vaccination status, or
• seek travel exemptions. 

Ending the concession period will contribute to a well-managed migration system. This will restore integrity by ensuring unintended cohorts are not accessing concessions.

Employer Sponsored visas

From 25 November 2023, new nominations for the following visa streams will require Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) holders to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer, or worked in the occupation for medical practitioners and certain executives, for two out of the previous three years.

• Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS)
• Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme (RSMS)
• Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream.

The following COVID-19 concessions will become redundant and will end:

• Periods of reduced work due to COVID-19 will not count towards meeting the work experience requirements for new ENS/RSMS TRT stream nomination applications.
• The COVID-19 concession to the age exemption for high income earning applicants will not apply for new ENS/RSMS visa applications.

The age exemption for legacy 457 workers in Australia for 12 months during the pandemic from 1 February 2020 to 14 December 2021 will apply for ENS visa applications lodged before 1 July 2024.

Skilled Regional Visa subclass 887

The temporary concessions available to holders of eligible skilled provisional visas to apply for the subclass 887 visa are set around the COVID-19 concession period.

The concessions allowed​​ eligible prospective subclass 887 visa applicants to lodge from in or outside Australia during the concession period and to access shorter periods of employment and regional residence requirements.

Applicants can only access the employment requirement concession if they:

• held an eligible skilled provisional visa during the concession period, and
• make a valid application within three months of Monday 26 February 2024.

The ending of the concession period will end any other concessions for the subclass 887 visa.

After 25 November 2023, eligible skilled provisional visa holders applying for a subclass 887 visa must be in Australia, but not in immigration clearance, when applying.

Family visas

The COVID-19 concessions removed restrictions on ‘the location at the time of visa grant’ requirement for certain Family program visa applicants.

Applicants for certain Partner and Child visas who applied before 26 November 2023, and who were in Australia at any time during the concession period, will continue to be eligible to be granted a visa in Australia (if they meet all other visa criteria) after the end of the concession period. The COVID-19 concession arrangements will not apply to Partner and Child applicants who were not in Australia at any time during the COVID-19 concession period.

The COVID-19 concessions for certain Parent visa applicants only applied during the COVID-19 concession period, from 1 February 2020 to 25 November 2023. 

Business Innovation and Investment Program visas 

COVID-19 concessions were put in place for the Business Innovation and Investment Program (BIIP) under the:

• provisional subclass 188 visa - Business Innovation Extension stream
• permanent subclass 888 visa under all streams.

BIIP applicants who are eligible to exercise COVID-19 concessions to make a valid application can do so for three months after the end of the concession period. Applications must be submitted before the end of 26 February 2024.

Safe Haven Enterprise Visa

The end of the COVID-19 concession will have minimal impact for the Safe Haven Enterprise visa pathway program. The Australian Government has provided a permanent visa pathway option to Safe Haven Enterprise visa holders through the Resolution of Status (subclass 851) (RoS) visa.

Temporary Graduate visa

From 25 November 2023 all applications for any stream of the Temporary Graduate visa (TGV) program must be lodged in Australia. Subsequent entrant applications can be lodged in or outside of Australia. The ability to grant applications to applicants who are either in or outside of Australia (but not in immigration clearance) will continue. 

11/3/23

Start date set for permanent residence changes

The Department of Home Affairs has set a start date of 25 November 2023 (subject to the approval of regulation changes) for its previously announced changes to the employer-sponsored permanent residence programme.

From that date, all Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) (subclass 482) visa holders will be able to access permanent residence via the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream of the Employer Nominated Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa.

• Changes to the TSS visa will apply to new applications lodged on or after 25 November 2023.
• Changes to the Temporary Residence Transition (TRT) stream nomination requirements will apply to new ENS/RSMS nomination applications and applications that are yet to be finally determined as of 25 November 2023.
• 482 visa holders will be eligible regardless of whether they are sponsored in an occupation on the Short-term (STSOL), Long-term (MLTSSL) or Regional Occupation List (ROL).
• The eligibility period of employment on a TSS 482 visa has been also reduced from 3 years to 2 years of employment with the most recently approved sponsor. 
• Changes will also be made to age exemptions for regional medical practitioner and high-income earning applicants aged 45 years and over to allow for a two-year pathway instead of the current three-year requirement.
• The limits on the number of short-term stream TSS applications visa holders can make in Australia will be removed. Applicants who want to submit a third or more short-term stream TSS visa can do so without having to depart Australia.
• Nominated occupations will no longer be assessed against skilled migration occupation lists.
• The nominated occupation will need to be listed in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) and the nominated worker will need to continue to work in the occupation nominated for their TSS visa(s).
• The period in which TSS visa holders are required to have worked in a position with their sponsoring employer (or in the occupation for medical practitioners and certain executives) will be reduced to 2 out of the 3 years before nomination.
• The RSMS visa will continue to be restricted to transitional 457 workers and transitional 482 workers.

10/13/23

New visa pathway for UK citizens

The Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has issued more information about the Innovation and Early Careers Skills Exchange Pilot (IECSEP), part of the Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement (A-UKFTA).

IECSEP establishes a new, streamlined mobility pathway for early career professionals and demonstrated innovators from the United Kingdom.

There are two streams under IECSEP:

• the Early Careers Skills stream, which will allow participants to undertake a short-term placement, secondment, or intra-corporate transfer for up to one year in Australia;
• the Innovation stream, which will allow highly skilled and experienced participants, with a demonstrated contribution to innovation, to undertake opportunities for up to three years in Australia.

Total visas available under the IECSEP will be 1000 in the first year, and 2000 in the second year of operation, during which the program will be reviewed.

IECSEP is now open for applications. Application forms are available here. The current round will close at 11.59pm (GMT) on Monday 20 November 2023. DFAT may close this application round with respect of one or both IECSEP streams on a date before this advertised time. DFAT will provide seven days' notice prior to closing a round before the advertised date.

An IECSEP guidebook is available here, with further details about the application process and assessment criteria.

All IECSEP applicants must have a confirmed job in Australia to be eligible to participate in the IECSEP. Applicants will need to provide DFAT with either a letter of employment offer, or a copy of an employment contract, to prove their prospective employment in Australia when they submit their application. This document needs to contain specific information in order for DFAT to accept it.

All IECSEP applicants must be able to demonstrate UK citizenship, and that they have adequate financial means to support themselves for the duration of their stay in Australia ($5000 plus the fare to where the applicant is going to after Australia).

To be eligible for the Early Careers stream applicants must:

• be aged between 21 and 45 (inclusive) at the time of application
• hold tertiary qualifications
• have worked for at least 3 months in their current role, and the prospective employment in Australia must be relevant to the applicant's field of work in their current role
• have prospective employment in Australia in an occupation defined at the ANZSCO Skill Levels 1, 2 or 3

To be eligible for the Innovation stream applicants must:

• have a demonstrated contribution to innovation
• be highly skilled
• be highly experienced
• have prospective employment in Australia in an occupation defined at the ANZSCO Skill Level 1

Successful IECSEP applicants will need to apply to the Department of Home Affairs for a Temporary Work (International Relations) subclass 403 visa Government Agreement stream. DFAT will issue successful applicants with a Letter of Support, which must be presented to the Department of Home Affairs when applying for this visa.

7/5/24

Reciprocal five-year multi-entry business visas

The governments of Australia and China have agreed to provide reciprocal access to five-year multiple entry visas for tourism, business and visiting family members so as to better facilitate personal exchanges.

Effective immediately, the Embassy and Consulates of China in Australia issue 5-year multi-entry visas to Australian citizens who hold valid ordinary passports of Australia and meet all relevant requirements, to visit China for business, tourism or visiting family members. All the visa applications will be handled by the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre within Australia.

China has also recently included Australia in its 15-day visa waiver program.

8.30.24

New e-card photo registration offices: 137 municipal offices offer extended service

The Interior Ministry has announced that, effective 2 September 2024, 137 municipal offices throughout Austria will offer a new photo registration service for e-cards.

Through an ordinance of the Minister of the Interior, 137 municipal offices are permitted to register photos for e-cards of Austrians. 109 municipalities can also register photographs for foreign nationals. The participating municipalities are listed in the ordinance.

The ability to upload images for the e-card directly to the municipal offices, instead of having to visit the State Police Directorate or the Federal Office for Foreigners and Asylum in the state capital, will shorten the process for users.

Since 2020, e-cards in Austria have been provided with a photo of the holder. The images used for this purpose have so far come mainly from the driver's license register and other state registers. As a result, however, not all Austrian nationals were recorded and foreign nationals were generally not taken into account. Austrian nationals therefore had to contact the social insurance authorities for photo registration and people without Austrian citizenship had to contact the state police directorates or federal offices for foreign affairs and asylum.

3/1/24

New working holiday program established

On 20 February 2024, Austria and the United States signed a Professional Development and Cultural Exchange Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish a Working Holiday Program (WHP).

The exchange program promotes mutual understanding by offering young Austrian and U.S. citizens the opportunity to get to know the culture, everyday life and working world in the other country. Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 can (co-)finance their stay of up to 12 months by taking up paid employment and using the educational facilities in the partner country.

Austrian citizens, between 18 and 30 years of age who are enrolled in or recently graduated from an Austrian-accredited post-secondary or a dual/vocational education program will be eligible to participate. Similarly, United States citizens aged 18 to 30 years of age who have recently graduated from a United States degree, diploma, or certificate granting educational institution will be eligible. The United States is expanding educational exchange opportunities, enabling post-secondary or vocational education students to participate alongside students from colleges and universities.

3/1/24

Visit visas can no longer convertible without a sponsor 

On 12 February 2024, the Ministry of Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) announced that visit visa holders are no longer allowed to convert to a work or dependent visa without a sponsor

Moreover, the fee for converting a visit visa to a dependent or work visa has increased from BD 60 to BD 250, and the sponsor for the conversion application must be the same sponsor as for the original visit visa.

2/13/24

The Interior Ministry has announced that residency and work permits will soon be renewable from outside Bahrain.

The new service, which applies to foreign nationals working in the commercial and government sectors, registered labourers and domestic workers, will be jointly delivered by the Nationality, Passports and Residence Affairs (NPRA) and the Labour Market Regularly Authority (LMRA). As yet, no implementation date has been announced.

7/19/24

Visa-free overland entry for citizens of 35 European countries

Effective 19 July 2024, citizens of 35 European countries are permitted to enter Belarus visa free via all international road and rail checkpoints and remain in the country for up to 30 days.

This is in addition to the existing visa waiver program permitting entry by air. The existing visa-free scheme for citizens of Latvia, Lithuania and Poland remains in place.

Citizens of the following countries are eligible: Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Vatican.

7/26/24

Upcoming changes to work authorisation rules in Brussels region

From 1 October 2024, the regulations governing work permits and professional cards will change for non-European nationals in the Brussels Capital Region. The changes mainly concern work permits for salaried workers, but also to the self-employed.

1. Simplified calculation of remuneration: From 1 October 2024, the salary thresholds for specific categories of occupation will be calculated based on a percentage of the average gross monthly salary in the Brussels Capital Region, which is EUR 4604. Only the basic monthly remuneration (corresponding to Code 1 of the DMFA declaration) will be taken into account. 

For these specific categories, it will amount to at least the following:

These amounts will be updated every 1 January based on the latest amounts published each September.

The calculation method for athletes, and the determination of the guaranteed average minimum monthly income, are unchanged and will remain in force.

1. End of work permit B: Work permit B will now be called either a "short-term work authorisation" or a "long-term work authorisation". The work authorisation will now be sent directly to the employer, who must pass it on to the worker so that they can apply for a visa if necessary. The procedure for au pairs will remain unchanged.
    
2. Fewer formalities for work authorisations valid for more than one year: When a work authorisation for more than one year has been granted, the employer will no longer have to send documents for the annual check. This check will remain but will be automated. The administration reserves the right to request additional information if necessary.
    
3. Unlimited work authorisation granted after 30 months' residence and occupation in the Brussels Capital Region: To qualify for an unlimited work authorisation, an employee domiciled in the Brussels Capital Region must have resided in Belgium for at least 30 months without interruption and provide proof of 30 months' employment attested by a single permit or work authorisation obtained in the Brussels Capital Region.
   Where time-limited work authorisations have been issued by another Region, the period is extended to four years. 
    
4. Additional appendices to be provided: For some categories, additional documents will be required, such as a job description and a company organisation chart. This should enable a better analysis of the application. No additional job market analysis will be carried out for critical functions as published by Actiris (the regional employment office). 
   Actiris will continue to carry out job market analyses for other "non-category" functions, provided that the job offer has been published with Actiris for at least five weeks and the result of this search is provided.
    
5. Transposition of the new Blue Card Directive: The regulations will also include new provisions concerning the blue card. It will be easier to change employer.
   Higher education qualifications will no longer be required in the field of information and communications technology. Professional qualifications can be demonstrated by proof of professional experience.

Short-term work authorisation

If the working period in Belgium is a maximum of 90 days out of 180 (in the case of successive employment without interruption, previous periods are taken into account in the calculation of the 90 days), the employer or their agent must apply for a short-term work authorisation.

This also applies to cross-border workers or workers teleworking from abroad for a Brussels-based employer, for up to 90 days.

Long-term work authorisation 

If the worker is a cross-border worker, or teleworks from abroad for an employer in the Brussels Capital Region, for more than 90 days, the employer or their agent must apply for a long-term work authorisation.

This authorisation may be granted for three years, depending on the duration of the employment contract, for workers belonging to one of the following categories: 

• highly skilled workers 
• intra-group transferees (with the exception of trainee employees);
• workers holding a European Blue Card
• researchers

Single permit

The single permit procedure remains unchanged if the worker stays in Belgium for more than 90 days.

Information sessions will take place in September, during which more details on these changes will be provided.

10/6/23

Updated shortage occupation list in Wallonia

Effective 1 October 2023, the shortage occupation list in Wallonia has been updated, with seven occupations removed: carpenter, cook, chef cook, credit analyst, fountain maker, glass maker and speech therapist.

Applicants for work permits in occupations on the list are not required to fulfil labour market testing requirements.

The new list will be in effect until 30 September 2024.

April 2025 - Brazilian Visa Requirements Reinstated for US, Canadian and Australian Citizens

As of April 10, 2025, visitor visa requirements are reinstated for citizens of the US, Canada, and Australia. It applies to anyone traveling to Brazil for tourism, business, transit, artistic, or sports-related activities for less than 90 days.

The visitor visa requirements have been lifted for the past 5 years, but now goes back into effect.

4/4/24

Reinstatement of visa requirement for citizens of Australia, Canada and the USA postponed until April 2025

On 27 March 2024, the Brazilian parliament postponed a vote which, if passed, would overturn a government decree requiring a visa for nationals of Australia, Canada and the United States.

The government instead proposed a new decree which again postpones the reinstatement of visa requirements for tourists of these nationalities, this time until 10 April 2025.

In March 2023, Brazil decided to reinstate the visitor visa requirement for citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States, effective 1 October 2023. In August 2023 this measure was postponed until 10 January 2024 and again until 10 April 2024.

In May 2023, Brazil and Japan signed a bilateral visa exemption agreement which came into force in September 2023.

12/8/23

eVisa platform open

Effective 1 December 2023, the electronic visa system for nationals of Australia, Canada and the United States is operational. Nationals of these countries can apply now for entry from 10 January 2024.

In March 2023, Brazil decided to reinstate the visitor visa requirement for citizens of Australia, Canada, Japan and the United States, effective 1 October 2023. In August 2023 this measure was postponed until 10 January 2024.

9/15/23

New visas for nationals of Portuguese-speaking countries

A new InterMinisterial Ordinance regulates the granting of temporary visas and residence permits to nationals of the Community of Portuguese-Speaking Countries (CPLP), effective 2 October 2023.

CPLP member states, apart from Brazil, include Angola, Cape Verde, Guinea-Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Mozambique, Portugal, São Tomé and Príncipe and Timor-Leste.

The CPLP Temporary Visa, issued by a Brazilian consulate and valid for entry within one year, will be available to CPLP nationals who are highly-qualified researchers and teachers, technicians, business people and entrepreneurs, and cultural agents, including exchange students.

The visa holder must register with the federal Police within 90 days after entry and can then remain in Brazil for up to two years.

The CPLP Residence Permit is available to CPLP nationals who have already arrived in Brazil, and is valid for a stay of two years. It can be renewed within 90 days before expiry for an indefinite period, provided that the holder can prove financial means and no criminal record in Brazil.

3/8/24

Extended visa agreement

Effective 19 February 2024, China and Brazil have signed an agreement for the reciprocal granting of visas valid for up to ten years for tourism, business or family visits. The validity limit was previously five years.

The visas allow stays of up to 90 days at a time and up to 180 days in a 12-month period.

(Update provided by Bishop Immigration)

Effective March 25, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced immediate changes to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) for both current candidates in the Permanent Residence Express Entry pool and future applicants.

Key Changes to CRS:

These changes apply to all candidates who have job offers and can be awarded points as follows:

• 200 points for job offers in Major Group 00 (senior management positions) as per the National Occupation Classification (NOC) matrix.
• 50 points for job offers in other skilled occupations.

Who Will Be Affected?

• LMIA-Exempt Candidates Inside Canada: This change will impact workers in Canada entering the Express Entry pool who hold employer-specific work permits under the International Mobility Program (LMIA-exempt work permits) and who have worked for their employer for at least one year.
• LMIA Candidates both Inside and Outside of Canada: This applies to workers both inside and outside Canada who hold valid Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in support of their Canadian job offers.

Important Considerations:

• Applications Already in Process: Applicants who have already received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) and submitted a complete application will not be affected by this change.
• Active ITAs: Candidates with an active ITA that has not expired or been declined will remain eligible under the current system.

While IRCC has indicated that this change will be implemented immediately, it will take up to 7-days for the updates to be reflected on their online portal. It is anticipated that language points (English and French), and Canadian work experience will significantly influence who is most likely to be invited to apply moving forward. However, at this time we do not yet know how these changes will affect CRS points or the frequency of invitations. Further clarity should emerge once IRCC begins issuing ITAs after March 25, 2025.

March 2025

New measures to support construction industry

On 7 March 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the government’s intent to introduce a number of new measures to support Canada’s construction industry. These measures are within the scope of the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan. They include the convening of a tripartite advisory council to assess needs in the industry and advise on new pathways to bring in the required skilled workers we need, a regularization pathway for out-of-status construction workers, and support for foreign apprentices.

He government intends to immediately convene a tripartite advisory council comprised of federal government and union representatives, and industry leaders. This advisory council will work to identify on‑the‑ground labour needs and advise on the parameters for potential pathways that would bring in and retain the construction workers required for the long term, with robust protections against abuse and a strong wage threshold.

In an effort to build on the success of initiatives such as the out-of-status construction workers in the Greater Toronto Area pilot, IRCC intends to create a pathway that would offer opportunities in the construction sector for undocumented migrants already in Canada.

Finally, to support foreign apprentices in construction programs and to address the current labour market needs in the construction sector, IRCC are also introducing a temporary measure to allow foreign apprentices to complete their studies without a study permit, effective 7 March 2025. By removing this administrative barrier, apprentices will be able to gain the  skills they need to contribute to infrastructure projects more quickly.

Update on 2025 Parents and Grandparents Program

In 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) intends to accept up to 10,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the Parents and Grandparents (PGP) Program.

Given there remains a number of interest to sponsor forms in the pool from 2020, IRCC plans to send invitations to apply to randomly selected potential sponsors from that pool instead of accepting new forms. This is the same approach taken for the intakes conducted from 2020 to 2024.

As of February 5, 2025, processing times for PGP Program applications were approximately 24 months for those destined outside Quebec. They are 48 months for Quebec-destined applicants due to the province’s more limited family class admission targets.

To minimize wait times for clients, IRCC strives to strike a balance between the number of PGP Program applications received with the number of PGP Program spaces available through the Immigration Levels Plan in future years. Changes to the levels plan, such as the overall reductions to our immigration targets in the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan, require IRCC to recalibrate the number of new applications that are accepted for processing.

IRCC understands this approach will have an impact on the families who have not had an opportunity to submit an interest to sponsor form. For those interested in reuniting with their parents and grandparents for extended periods of time, the super visa remains available. This allows parents and grandparents to visit their children or grandchildren for 5 years at a time and provides multiple entries to Canada for up to 10 years. IRCC recently made the super visa more accessible by implementing a change to the health insurance requirement.

More details about the 2025 PGP Program intake will be made available in the coming months, including information about when the invitations to apply will be sent.

Quebec extends suspension of acceptance of certain LMIA applications

The Ministry of Immigration, Francisation and Integration is renewing until 30 November 2025 the measure that suspends the receipt of certain applications for Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TETP).

The suspension concerns LMIA applications for jobs in the administrative regions of Montreal and now also Laval, whose hourly wage offered is below the new threshold used by the federal government to distinguish low-wage positions from high-wage positions in Quebec, currently CAD 32.96.

This measure is aimed at:

• Applications submitted under simplified processing;
• Applications submitted for the renewal of work permits for temporary foreign workers already employed.

The exemptions originally provided for certain strategic and essential sectors (agriculture, construction, food processing, education, health and social services) are maintained.

This measure responds to the government's direction to curb the increase in the number of non-permanent residents in Quebec in a context of tightening access to the labour market, in addition to promoting the recruitment of workers already present in Quebec.

New Express Entry categories announced

On 27 February 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the 2025 Express Entry categories, which include a new education category.

For 2025, the focus of the federal economic class draws will be to invite candidates with experience working in Canada (Canadian Experience Class) to apply for permanent residence.

Additionally, to meet Francophone immigration targets and meet the acute needs in health, trades and education, IRCC will conduct category-based invitation rounds in the following categories:

• strong French language skills, or
• work experience in the following fields: 
  • health care and social services, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and chiropractors
  • trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
  • education, such as teachers, child care educators and instructors of persons with disabilities

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

From 2018 to 2024, admissions under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class accounted for approximately 48% of overall French‑speaking immigrant admissions outside Quebec, and approximately 64% of French-speaking economic immigrant admissions outside of Quebec. (Note: Data are preliminary estimates and subject to change.) 

In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French.

Canada extends some temporary measures for Ukrainians 

On 27 February 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) on or before 31 March 2024, will now have until 31 March 2026 to apply for a new open work permit valid for up to three years, renew an existing work permit, or apply for a new study permit, subject to standard fees.

Those who wish to renew their status as a visitor or student can continue to apply to renew as they have.

These temporary measures will allow Ukrainians and their family members to continue to work and study in Canada during this difficult time, and eventually return home when it is safe to do so.

Access to free settlement services for all Ukrainian temporary residents and their family members in Canada are available until 31 March 2025.

Background

• The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was launched in March 2022 as a temporary special measure to provide immediate assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the war in Ukraine.
• All CUAET clients in Canada must apply to extend their status before the expiry date of their current visitor record, work or study permit. If they apply before the expiry date, they can continue working or studying with maintained status until we make a decision on their application.

Ukrainians can still apply to extend their temporary status in Canada, even if their passport is not up-to-date. Each case will be assessed on an individual basis.

Feb 2025

New Express Entry categories announced

On 27 February 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the 2025 Express Entry categories, which include a new education category.

For 2025, the focus of the federal economic class draws will be to invite candidates with experience working in Canada (Canadian Experience Class) to apply for permanent residence.

Additionally, to meet Francophone immigration targets and meet the acute needs in health, trades and education, IRCC will conduct category-based invitation rounds in the following categories:

• strong French language skills, or
• work experience in the following fields: 
  • health care and social services, such as family physicians, nurse practitioners, dentists, pharmacists, psychologists and chiropractors
  • trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
  • education, such as teachers, child care educators and instructors of persons with disabilities

Express Entry is Canada’s flagship application management system for those seeking to immigrate permanently through the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, the Canadian Experience Class and a portion of the Provincial Nominee Program.

From 2018 to 2024, admissions under the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Canadian Experience Class accounted for approximately 48% of overall French‑speaking immigrant admissions outside Quebec, and approximately 64% of French-speaking economic immigrant admissions outside of Quebec. (Note: Data are preliminary estimates and subject to change.) 

In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French.

Canada extends some temporary measures for Ukrainians 

On 27 February 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) on or before 31 March 2024, will now have until 31 March 2026 to apply for a new open work permit valid for up to three years, renew an existing work permit, or apply for a new study permit, subject to standard fees.

Those who wish to renew their status as a visitor or student can continue to apply to renew as they have.

These temporary measures will allow Ukrainians and their family members to continue to work and study in Canada during this difficult time, and eventually return home when it is safe to do so.

Access to free settlement services for all Ukrainian temporary residents and their family members in Canada are available until 31 March 2025.

Background

• The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was launched in March 2022 as a temporary special measure to provide immediate assistance to Ukrainians fleeing the war in Ukraine.
• All CUAET clients in Canada must apply to extend their status before the expiry date of their current visitor record, work or study permit. If they apply before the expiry date, they can continue working or studying with maintained status until we make a decision on their application.

Ukrainians can still apply to extend their temporary status in Canada, even if their passport is not up-to-date. Each case will be assessed on an individual basis.

New rules to strengthen temporary resident document cancellations, and border security and integrity

On 12 February, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it had updated Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to strengthen authorities to cancel temporary resident documents.

These changes give immigration and border services officers explicit authority to cancel electronic travel authorizations (eTAs) and temporary resident visas (TRVs) on a case-by-case basis, including when

• a change in a person’s status or circumstances makes them inadmissible or no longer eligible to hold the document (for example, the person provided false information, has a criminal history or is deceased);
• an officer is not satisfied that someone will leave Canada by the end of their authorized period of stay; or
• the document is lost, stolen, destroyed or abandoned.

The changes also enable officers to cancel TRVs, eTAs, work permits and study permits issued to people when

• they become a permanent resident;
• they are deceased; or
• the document was issued based on an administrative error.

New rural and francophone community immigration pilots

On 30 January 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the launch of the Rural Community Immigration Pilot and the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, and the communities chosen to participate. These pilots will provide 18 communities with a permanent residence pathway to attract and retain newcomers who can fill key jobs and who want to live long-term in these areas.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot ensures that rural communities have access to programs that address labour shortages and help local businesses find the workers they need. The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot focuses on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec. This ensures the economic development of Francophone minority communities, while also helping to restore and increase their demographic weight.

Each selected community is represented by a local economic development organization, which will work with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to identify its critical labour gaps, designate trustworthy employers and recommend suitable candidates to IRCC for permanent residence. IRCC has begun training the economic development organizations, and each community will provide details and timelines on when employers and prospective permanent residence candidates can expect to have a chance to apply.

The following communities will participate in the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP):

• Pictou County, NS
• North Bay, ON
• Sudbury, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Sault Ste. Marie, ON
• Thunder Bay, ON
• Steinbach, MB
• Altona/Rhineland, MB
• Brandon, MB
• Moose Jaw, SK
• Claresholm, AB
• West Kootenay, BC
• North Okanagan Shuswap, BC
• Peace Liard, BC

The following communities will participate in the Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP):

• Acadian Peninsula, NB
• Sudbury, ON
• Timmins, ON
• Superior East Region, ON
• St. Pierre Jolys, MB
• Kelowna, BC.

Part of the Acadian Peninsula, Sudbury, Timmins, and St. Pierre Jolys are also participants in the Welcoming Francophone Communities initiative, which will help them settle and integrate French-speaking newcomers who arrive in their communities under the FCIP.

As of December 31, 2024, 8,580 newcomers have been granted permanent residence through the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), helping address labour shortages in key sectors such as health care and manufacturing.

Regulatory amendments for Canada–United States information sharing agreement

On 17 January 2025, regulatory changes came into force to implement amendments to the Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America for the Sharing of Visa and Immigration Information. These changes enable the automated exchange of biographical and biometric information on permanent residents of both Canada and the United States. Once the required systems are in place, information will only be exchanged in response to a request as part of either country’s immigration screening process, such as when a client is applying for a visa.

The original agreement, which authorized the automated exchange of information on all foreign nationals, was signed in 2012. The recent changes allow Canada and the United States to expand information-sharing capabilities as close and trusted security partners. These enhancements aim to improve screening for security risks and decision making across immigration programs.

The agreement supports immigration and border officials and helps them

• verify clients’ identities
• strengthen admissibility screening
• facilitate visa issuance for clients with a proven history of immigration compliance in the United States.

This sharing will strengthen visitor screening and help identify non-genuine travellers before they reach Canada’s ports of entry.

The regulatory amendments can be consulted in the Canada Gazette, Part II, and all updates will be reflected on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website.

Jan 2025

Change to health insurance requirement for super visa

Effective 28 January 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is allowing super visa applicants to purchase a private health insurance policy from companies outside Canada.

The super visa is a multiple-entry visa that allows parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to visit their family in Canada for longer periods of time: five years per visit, with the option to extend their stay while in Canada.

Super visa applicants must prove they have a minimum level of private health coverage to be granted a super visa, as they are not eligible for provincial or territorial health care plans. Previously, proof of health insurance could only be from Canadian health insurance providers.

To be eligible as valid health insurance coverage, the policy from a company outside Canada must

• be issued by a foreign insurance company authorized by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) to provide accident and sickness insurance
• appear on OSFI’s list of federally regulated financial institutions
• be issued under the company’s insurance business in Canada

Applicants can check whether a foreign insurance company is authorized to provide accident and sickness insurance by visiting the OSFI website. More information on these changes to the super visa can also be found on IRCC's website.

Super visa holders should have a valid health insurance policy for the duration of their stay in Canada. If coverage expires before they leave Canada, super visa holders may need to renew their health insurance during their stay. Private health insurance must be valid for each entry to Canada.

2025 provincial and territorial allocations under the international student cap

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced provincial and territorial allocations for 2025 under the international student cap.

In 2024, IRCC capped the number of study permit applications that could be accepted for processing, reducing the number of international students coming to Canada by about 40%.

For 2025, IRCC plans to issue a total of 437,000 study permits, which represents a 10% decrease from the 2024 cap.

Since the introduction of the cap last year, most study permit applicants have been required to submit a provincial attestation letter or territorial attestation letter (PAL/TAL). This requirement now extends to master’s and doctoral students, as well as most applicants applying from within Canada.

To support this change, IRCC is reserving spaces specifically for graduate students. Additionally, a new exemption is now in place for exchange students, ensuring that Canadian students can continue to benefit from reciprocal agreements to study abroad.

The following groups continue to be exempt from submitting a PAL/TAL:

• primary and secondary (kindergarten to grade 12) students
• certain Government of Canada priority groups and vulnerable cohorts
• existing study permit holders applying for an extension at the same designated learning institution (DLI) and at the same level of study.

Of the 437,000 study permits expected to be issued in 2025, 120,724 are expected to come from PAL/TAL-exempt students, while 316,267 are expected to come from PAL/TAL-required groups.

Allocations are based on the average approval rate for each province and territory from 2023 and 2024.

DLIs, provinces and territories cannot carry over unused allocation spaces or PAL/TALs from the previous cap year.

With the coming-into-force of new regulations in November 2024, designated learning institutions (DLIs) are now required to participate in student compliance reporting, as well as the letter of acceptance verification process. Failing to do so could result in a DLI being suspended for a period of up to one year, during which it won’t be able to receive new international students.

Changes to open work permits for family members of temporary residents

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided details of upcoming changes to open work permit (OWP) eligibility for family members of international students and foreign workers, as part of the broader measures announced in September 2024.

Effective 21 January 2025, only spouses of certain international students and foreign workers will be able to apply for a family OWP.

Family OWPs will be limited to spouses of international students who are enrolled in

• master’s programs that are 16 months or longer
• doctoral programs, or
• select professional and eligible programs

Family OWPs will also be limited to spouses of foreign workers who are employed in

• TEER 0 or 1 occupations, or
• select TEER 2 or 3 occupations in sectors with labour shortages or linked to government priorities
  • These include occupations in the natural and applied sciences, construction, health care, natural resources, education, sports and military sectors. The full list will be available on 21 January 2025.

In addition, the foreign worker must also have at least 16 months remaining on their work permit at the time when their spouse applies for the OWP. Dependent children of foreign workers will no longer be eligible.

OWPs that were approved under the previous measures and have not expired will remain valid. In situations where students may need more time to complete their program or where family members received a shorter work permit than the principal applicant, in-Canada family members (including spouses and dependent children) can apply to renew their work permit as long as

• they are applying under the same criteria as the current work permit, and
• the requested duration of the renewal matches that of the existing study or work permit of the principal applicant

Spouses of workers covered by free-trade agreements and those transitioning to permanent residence will not be impacted by these changes. Family members who will no longer qualify for a family OWP can apply for any type of work permit they are eligible for under Canada’s work permit programs.

1/10/25

Agri-Food Pilot application cap

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it is now capping the intake for permanent residence applications under the Agri-Food Pilot at 1010 spaces. Applications can be submitted until the pilot expires on 14 May 2025, or until 1010 applications have been received—whichever comes first. This is because, due to high demand, interest in this pilot exceeds the spaces available under the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan.

The Agri-Food Pilot is an economic pilot established under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. According to the pilot regulations, it can only run for a maximum of 5 years, and this time period will be reached on 14 May 2025. The pilot cannot be extended beyond this date. Since the launch of the pilot, Canada has welcomed over 4500 agri-food workers and family members. That includes close to 1775 workers and family members last year alone, as of the end of November 2024.

Other programs available to agri-food workers include federal high-skilled programs managed by Express Entry and regional economic immigration programs, such as the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and the recently announced Rural and Francophone Community Immigration Pilots.

In the coming years, IRCC will continue processing applications received on or before the pilot’s end date and under the cap, in line with the targets established in the Immigration Levels Plan. 

No new Parents and Grandparents sponsorships in 2025

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, as of 1 January 2025, no new permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor and no sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications will be received for processing, until further Instructions are issued.

Unless a new intake for the 2025 calendar year is implemented, for the 2025 calendar year, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration will only be accepting for processing permanent resident visa applications made by parents or grandparents of a sponsor and sponsorship applications made in relation to those applications that were received in 2024 pursuant to the established conditions.

A maximum of 15,000 sponsorship applications received in 2024 and made in relation to applications for a permanent resident visa, which are made by sponsors’ parents or grandparents under the family class, will be accepted for processing in the 2025 calendar year. They will be processed in the order in which they were received.

1/3/25

Flagpoling no longer permitted

As announced by the Government of Canada as part of Canada’s Border Plan, work and study permits are no longer provided to flagpolers at a port of entry, effective 23 December at 11:59pm ET.

Flagpoling occurs when foreign nationals who hold temporary resident status in Canada, leave Canada and, after a visit to the United States or St. Pierre and Miquelon, re-enter to access immigration services at a port of entry.

Canada Border Services Agency notes that this practice has taken up significant resources at the border, diverting Canadian and American officers away from important enforcement activities and has contributed to wait times for cross-border travellers.

Applications and renewals for work or study permits need to be submitted through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Those who attempt to flagpole for a work and study permit will be told to submit their application to IRCC unless they meet limited exemptions, including the following:

• Citizens and lawful Permanent Residents of the United States of America;
• Professionals and technicians under free trade agreements with the United States/Mexico, Chile, Panama, Peru, Colombia and South Korea;
• Spouses or common law partners of professionals and technicians under free trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea;
• International truck drivers who hold a work permit, where required to depart Canada for the purpose of their employment and held maintained status as a result of applying for renewal prior to departure; and
• Individuals who have a pre-existing appointment booked with the CBSA for permit processing.

Changes to Express Entry rules

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, effective spring 2025, Express Entry candidates will no longer receive additional points for having a job offer.

This temporary measure is intended to reduce fraud by removing the incentive to illegally buy or sell labour market impact assessments to improve a candidate’s chances of being selected to come to Canada as a permanent resident.

Once it takes effect, the change will impact candidates pursuing permanent residence through the Express Entry system, including those currently working in Canada temporarily. The changes will not affect candidates who have already been invited to apply or who have an application in progress. Once the change is introduced, it will apply to all candidates with job offers in the pool as well as new candidates entering the pool.

12/27/24

Open work permits for certain permanent residence applicants extended until end 2026

The temporary public policy to exempt applicants under the temporary resident to permanent resident pathway from work permit requirements is extended until 31 December 2026.

Background

• The Temporary public policy to exempt certain permanent residence applicants from work permit requirements was signed on 4 July 2021, to provide exemptions from certain requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) to facilitate the issuance of open work permits to eligible individuals in Canada. Eligible family members may also apply for an open work permit.
• The temporary resident to permanent resident pathway closed on 5 November 2021.
• A new public policy came into effect on 6 June 2022 to
  • allow the issuance of open work permits with a longer duration (until 31 December 2024) to avoid the need for renewals; and 
  • expand the eligibility criteria of the open work permit public policy to include eligible family members abroad to help speed up family reunification.

This has now been extended to 31 December 2024.

11/22/24

New International Student Program regulations take effect

On 15 November 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that that new regulations impacting the International Student Program have now taken effect.

The regulations include a new limit to the number of hours international students may work off campus. With this change, eligible students can now work up to 24 hours per week off campus while their classes are in session.

To work off campus without a work permit, international students must be studying full-time in a post-secondary academic, vocational or professional training program, or a vocational training program at the secondary level offered in Quebec, that lasts at least six months and leads to a degree, diploma or certificate. 

International students who are eligible to work off campus may work full-time during breaks in their academic calendar, such as the summer break between school years or the winter break between semesters. 

Furthermore, international students must now apply and be approved for a new study permit before changing learning institutions.

Twice a year, designated learning institutions are expected to submit a report to IRCC that indicates whether each study permit holder associated with their school has remained enrolled. Students who are no longer enrolled can be investigated and face enforcement action, as they may be breaking their study permit conditions.

There will now be consequences for DLIs that fail to submit compliance reports or verify acceptance letters. With this change, a DLI could be suspended from welcoming new international students for up to a year for failing to provide the required information.

Designated learning institutions in Quebec have not, to date, participated in student compliance reporting. It will take Quebec and IRCC some time to set up this reporting system for Quebec DLIs. As such, Quebec DLIs have a grace period before they are required to comply with the compliance reporting requirement.

11/19/24

End of the Student Direct Stream and Nigeria Student Express

On 8 November 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the Student Direct Stream (SDS) and Nigeria Student Express (NSE) initiatives ended as of that day.

Prospective students are invited to apply through the regular study permit stream, which accepts Guaranteed Investment Certificates as proof of financial support.

Eligible SDS and NSE applications received before 2:00 p.m. ET on November 8, 2024, will be processed under these streams. Study permit applications submitted on or after this time will be processed under the regular study permit stream.

This change will not adversely affect eligibility for those who wish to apply for a study permit from a country where the SDS or NSE initiatives have been offered. All students, regardless of whether they were eligible for the SDS or NSE, are required to meet Canada’s study permit application requirements.

Background

The SDS was launched in 2018 to provide faster processing for eligible post-secondary students. The SDS was eventually opened to legal residents of Antigua and Barbuda, Brazil, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, India, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam. Prospective university students from Nigeria had a similar process with the NSE.

Upcoming new qualifying conditions for Québec Experience Program

As of 23 November 2024, in order to qualify for the Québec Experience Program, applicants must have completed an eligible program of study in French, i.e., 75% of courses or credits have been completed in French: 

• Vocational and college training: 75% of program courses must be completed in French,
• University programs: 75% of program credits must be completed in French.

Theses, Master’s dissertations, internships and research laboratories may be completed in a language other than French. However, the 75% threshold must be met for other courses or credits.

Please note that courses taken abroad, as part of an exchange program for example, count towards the threshold.

Applicants who have not completed the qualifying program of study in French must have completed three years of full-time secondary or post-secondary studies in French in Québec or abroad.

The Programme de l’expérience québécoise (PEQ – Québec experience program) is for foreign students who are a Québec graduate or a temporary foreign worker. It allows qualifying applicants to obtain a Québec selection certificate to settle in Québec permanently.

Note that, from 31 October 2024 until 30 June 2025 at the latest, the government of Québec will not accept any new applications for permanent selection under the “Québec graduate” stream of the PEQ; nor will it accept invitations under the Regular Skilled Worker Program(RSWP) or the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP), which will replace it as of 29 November 2024.

The “Temporary foreign worker” stream of the PEQ is not affected by the suspensions.

Closure of Entrepreneur Stream in Ontario

Following the pause on accepting Entrepreneur Stream applications that took effect on 4 December 2023, the government of Ontario is implementing amendments to the program to wind-down and close the stream.

All Entrepreneur Stream applications currently in process will continue in accordance with the updated regulations. Under the updated regulations, current applicants may be eligible for a nomination for permanent residence based on the commitments they have made to establish their business in Ontario.

The authorities will contact all current applicants to the Entrepreneur Stream, and their authorized representatives, with more information and next steps regarding their applications.

11/8/24

Quebec suspends two permanent residence programmes

On 31 October 2024, the Ministry of Immigration, Francization and Integration of Québec published Québec’s Immigration Plan for 2025.

Under the Plan, Québec intends to admit between 48,500 and 51,500 immigrants under the regular immigration stream, in addition to admissions under the “Québec graduate” stream of the Québec Experience Program.

It also includes two temporary measures, effective 31 October 2024 until 30 June 2025 at the latest, to control the growth of permanent immigration in Québec:

1. The suspension of intake of applications under the “Québec graduate” stream of the Québec Experience Program

As of 31 October 2024, the government of Québec will not receive any new applications for permanent selection under the “Québec graduate” stream of the Québec Experience Program.

All applications for permanent selection already submitted under this stream of the Québec Experience Program will continue to be reviewed by the MIFI.

Anyone already selected by Québec under this stream can pursue their immigration process leading to permanent residence.

Applications to add family members, including those for dependent children and spouses, are not affected by this suspension. These applications will continue to be received under the “Québec graduate” stream.

The “Temporary foreign worker” stream of the Québec Experience Program is not affected by the suspension of the intake of applications. It is still possible to submit an application for permanent selection under this stream.

1. The temporary suspension of invitations to submit an application for permanent selection under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP), and the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP)

The Minister of Immigration, Francization and Integration will not be issuing any invitations to submit an application for permanent selection under the Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP) and the Skilled Worker Selection Program (SWSP), which will replace it as of 29 November 2024.

Those invited to submit an application for permanent selection under the RSWP before 31 October 2024 can submit their application within the 60-day timeframe required by this program.

Applications for permanent selection already submitted under the RSWP will continue to be reviewed by the MIFI in accordance with the conditions of this program, including after the SWSP comes into effect.

Applications for job offer validation

The temporary suspension of invitations will not have an impact on the duration of the validity of validated job offers (VJO), which is 18 months.

When the invitations resume, after 30 June 2025 at the latest, anyone holding a VJO can take advantage of it.

The Ministry will continue to receive and process applications for job offer validation for employers who wish to submit them despite the temporary suspension of invitations.

These measures are being put in place in the context of a sharp increase in the number of non-permanent residents and will make it possible to limit the number of admissions of immigrants under permanent immigration programs.

A new pluri-annual planning exercise for the period starting in 2026 will take both temporary immigration and permanent immigration into account. This exercise will take place in spring 2025.

11/4

Plan to reduce immigration announced

On 24 October 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the 2025-2027 Immigration Levels Plan, which for the first time includes controlled targets for temporary residents, specifically international students and foreign workers, as well as for permanent residents.

According to IRCC, the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan is expected to result in a marginal population decline of 0.2% in both 2025 and 2026, before returning to a population growth of 0.8% in 2027. These forecasts account for today’s announcement of reduced targets across multiple immigration streams over the next two years, as well as expected temporary resident outflows, natural population loss and other factors.

Compared to last year’s plan, the government is:

• reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 395,000 in 2025
• reducing from 500,000 permanent residents to 380,000 in 2026
• setting a target of 365,000 permanent residents in 2027

The Levels Plan also supports efforts to reduce temporary resident volumes to 5% of Canada’s population by the end of 2026. Given temporary resident reduction measures announced in September and this past year, Canada’s temporary population will decrease over the next few years as significantly more temporary residents will transition to being permanent residents or leave Canada compared to new ones arriving.

Specifically, compared to each previous year, the government expects to see Canada’s temporary population:

• decline by 445,901 in 2025, and
• decline by 445,662 in 2026, and then
• slightly increase by 17,439 in 2027

These reductions are the result of a series of changes over the past year, including a cap on international students and tightened eligibility requirements for temporary foreign workers.

Other measures from the 2025–2027 Immigration Levels Plan include the following:

• Transitioning more temporary residents who are already in Canada as students and workers to permanent residents.
• Focusing on long-term economic growth and key labour market sectors, such as health and trades. Permanent resident admissions in the economic class will reach 61.7% of total admissions by 2027.
• Strengthening Francophone communities outside Quebec and supporting their economic prosperity. Of the overall permanent resident admission targets, Francophone immigration will represent:
  • 8.5% in 2025
  • 9.5% in 2026
  • 10% in 2027.

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the Minister of IRC must table Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan (Levels Plan) in Parliament each year on or before November 1. Since 2017, a rolling three-year Levels Plan has been presented, which projects permanent residents (PR) admissions to Canada. Starting in the fall of 2024, IRCC is expanding the Levels Plan to include targets for both PR admissions and new temporary resident (TR) arrivals.

The Government of Canada has put in place measures to manage the volume of temporary resident arrivals, uphold the integrity of the immigration system and protect vulnerable people, including

• reforming the International Student Program
• tightening eligibility requirements for
  • temporary foreign workers
  • post-graduation work permits
  • work permits for spouses of international students and temporary foreign workers.

10/29/24

Temporary measures to support family reunification of indigenous people

On 21 October 2024, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) announced that, effective 8 November 2024, the starting hourly wage for workers coming into Canada through the high-wage stream will be increased to 20% higher than its current level, which is the median wage in the applicable province or territory of work. This represents an increase to the existing threshold of between CAD 5 and CAD 8 per hour, depending on the province or territory of work.

As a result, a greater number of jobs are expected to be subject to the stricter rules of the low-wage stream, including additional employer requirements related to housing, transportation and recruitment of workers already in Canada. 

ESDC also announced that, starting on 28 October 2024, employers will no longer be able to use attestations from professional accountants or lawyers to prove their business legitimacy. He added that the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program will further build on existing information sharing agreements with provincial and territorial partners, as well as existing employer registries, to enhance data sharing. These measures will help to ensure that only genuine and legitimate job offers are approved, helping prevent misuse of the program and ensuring stronger worker protection. 

Background

The low-wage stream and high-wage stream are two components of the TFW Program, differentiated by the wage level offered. There are key differences between the streams: 

• The low-wage stream is for jobs where the wage offered is below the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. Under this stream:   
  • employers must provide supports for workers that include return transportation to their country of origin and ensuring or providing suitable accommodation;  
  • employers must conduct at least two additional methods of recruitment that are consistent with the occupation (targets an audience that has the appropriate education, professional experience and or skill level required for the occupation); 
  • employers are limited to a temporary foreign worker complement of 10% of their workforce at any worksite (up to 20% for certain high-demand sectors); and  
  • the TFW Program will not process LMIA applications for positions in Census Metropolitan Areas (CMA) where the unemployment rate is 6% or higher.
• The high-wage stream is for jobs where the wage offered is above the provincial or territorial median hourly wage plus 20%. Under this stream: 
  • there is currently no limit on the number of workers an employer can hire; and 
  • CMA unemployment rates are not taken into consideration in LMIA application assessments. 

The changes announced today are forecasted to result in 34,000 positions moving from the high-wage stream to the more stringent rules of the low-wage stream. This shift could result in as many as 20,000 fewer positions being approved through the TFW Program when combined with other policies in effect as of 26 September 2024, including the following:

• the Government of Canada no longer processes LMIAs in the low-wage stream in CMAs with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher (with some exceptions for high-demand sectors); and
• employers may hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program (with some exceptions for high-demand sectors).

10/14/24

Eligible, low-risk applicants to continue benefiting from streamlined immigration medical examination requirements

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended until 5 October 2029 that exempts certain low-risk, in-Canada foreign nationals from needing an additional immigration medical examination (IME) as part of their application.

This measure is aimed at faster processing of applications and improving client service for eligible foreign nationals. In its initial two years, this temporary public policy has benefited more than 286,000 clients.

This exemption applies to foreign nationals who have

• a new or pending application for permanent or temporary residence or a permanent resident visa made from within Canada;
• completed an IME within the last five years (which may now be expired) and has posed no risk to public health or safety, or has reported to public health authorities for monitoring, as required.

Applicants who are not eligible under this temporary public policy are required to undergo an IME as per usual health screening procedures. IRCC will contact individuals who are not eligible for the exemption to discuss next steps.

Updated instructions for intra-company transferees work permits

Effective 3 October 2024, the instructions provided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to its staff related to work permits for intra-company transferees have undergone extensive updates.

The changes have been made to the guidance for section R205(a) of the Canadian Interests – Significant Benefit program.

The updates clarify the following:

• That ICTs must be transferring from a foreign enterprise of an existing multinational corporation (MNC), including guidance on how to assess whether an enterprise meets the criteria of a multinational corporation.
  • When assessing an ICT work permit application, officers must now ensure that the foreign enterprise is that of an existing MNC with revenue generating operations in at least two countries before establishing an enterprise in Canada;
  • An enterprise outside of Canada cannot become an MNC by using the ICT work permit category to establish their first foreign enterprise in Canada;
  • Qualifying relationships do not include business relationships between suppliers or clients;
• The qualifying criteria for foreign nationals, including:
  • the foreign national’s required work experience and employment with the foreign enterprise to be eligible as an ICT;
  • the location of employment requirements for ICTs;
  • requirements to be met for a foreign national to be eligible to change to a different ICT category when applying for a new work permit;
  • the maximum duration allowed for ICT work permits; and
  • eligibility requirements for ICTs seeking entry to Canada to establish a new qualifying enterprise;
• Additional guidance on specialized knowledge, including:
  • clarification of the definition of “specialized knowledge”;
  • how to assess whether the applicant possesses specialized knowledge; and
  • clarifying that ICT applications for positions in low-skilled occupations should be reviewed in greater detail to ensure the foreign national does in fact possess (and the position requires) specialized knowledge.

IRCC also states that “the ICT category under the International Mobility Program is not intended as a means to transfer an enterprise’s general work force to affiliated entities in Canada”.

Further details of changes to post-graduation work permit

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided further details of the previously-announced upcoming changes to the eligibility criteria for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP).

What hasn’t changed

• To be eligible for a PGWP, applicants must continue to meet the general and physical location eligibility requirements (even after 1 November 2024) and complete a study program at a PGWP eligible designated learning institution.
• Those who apply for a PGWP before 1 November 2024 only need to meet the current eligibility criteria.
• Those who apply for a PGWP as a graduate from a PGWP eligible flight school only need to meet the current eligibility criteria (even after 1 November 2024). This means that the new eligibility requirements below do not apply to them.

New language requirements

Those who are applying for a PGWP on or after 1 November 2024 must meet the following requirements:

• Those who graduated from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program must prove their English or French language skills with a minimum level of Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) 7 in English or Niveaux de competence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
• Those who graduated from any other university program must prove their English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 7 in English or NCLC 7 in French in all 4 language areas.
• Those who graduated from a college program or any other program not listed above must prove heir English or French language skills with a minimum level of CLB 5 in English or NCLC 5 in French in all 4 language areas.

New field of study requirements

Those who submitted their study permit application on or after 1 November 2024 must also meet the following requirements to be eligible to apply for a PGWP:

• Those who graduated from a university bachelor’s degree, master’s degree or doctoral degree program: All fields of study are eligible. There is no additional field of study requirement.
• Those who graduated from any other university program must graduate in an eligible field of study.
• Those who graduated from a college program or any other program not listed above must graduate in an eligible field of study.

If the study program has a field of study requirement, the applicant must graduate from a program linked to certain occupations in long-term shortage in these categories:

• agriculture and agri-food
• healthcare
• science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)
• trade
• transport

More information on fields of study is available here.

10/7/24

Further changes to Temporary Foreign Worker Program

On 1 October 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the federal government has reached an agreement with the Government of Yukon to help certain temporary workers in the territory eventually become permanent residents.

This temporary measure will give new work permits to up to 215 temporary workers identified and supported by the Government of Yukon to continue working while they process their permanent residence applications under the Yukon Nominee Program. Eligible individuals have to demonstrate that they meet the criteria and are expected to transition to permanent residence in 2025 and 2026. These skilled workers are filling key job vacancies in Yukon and are actively contributing to Canada’s economy and social diversity.

To date, IRCC has worked with Alberta, Manitoba and Yukon to implement this measure in those jurisdictions.

Expressions of Interest required for new foreign workers in Alberta

As of 30 September 2024, candidates must submit a Worker Expression of Interest (EOI) if they are interested in receiving an invitation to apply to one of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program’s (AAIP’s) worker streams. 

There is no fee to submit a Worker EOI.

Candidates must self-declare information about themselves through an online Worker EOI form in the AAIP portal. Each Worker EOI will be scored and ranked using the Worker EOI points grid. Candidates who successfully submit a Worker EOI will be placed into the Worker Stream pool to be considered for selection.

The AAIP will conduct ongoing draws from the Worker Stream pool for specific worker streams and pathways. The AAIP will select and invite candidates from the Worker Stream pool based on candidate EOI score rankings and provincial labour market needs and priorities, available AAIP nominations, and application levels. Individuals who are selected will receive an invitation to apply by email.

It is important to note that while the new system is now available, there is no need to rush to submit a Worker EOI as the AAIP will not conduct draws from the Worker Stream pool until mid or late October 2024.

AAIP encourages employers to take the following steps to prepare to submit a Worker EOI:

• Confirm that they meet eligibility requirements for one or more AAIP worker streams.
• Review the Worker EOI points gridto understand the type of information AAIP will be collecting in the Worker EOI and how points are awarded.
• Consider their existing AAIP applications or Entrepreneur EOIs.
  • Employers can only have one Worker EOI.
  • Employers cannot create a Worker EOI if they have an existing Worker EOI or Entrepreneur EOI or a draft or active AAIP application. Existing applications or EOIs must be withdrawn prior to creating a Worker EOI.
• Make sure they have a valid, basic ca account.

Background

The Alberta Advantage Immigration Program is an economic immigration program that nominates people for permanent residence in Alberta. Nominees must have skills to fill job shortages or be planning to buy or start a business in Alberta. They must also be able to provide for their families.

Those who are nominated through the program may apply for permanent residence status together with their spouse or common-law partner, and dependent children. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IIRC) manages applications for permanent residence. The federal government also makes final decisions on these applications.

The AAIP has four streams for foreign workers and four streams for entrepreneurs

9/20/24

Further restrictions for temporary residents

On 18 August 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced measures to manage the volume of temporary resident arrivals, as part of its plan to decrease the number of temporary residents from 6.5% of Canada’s population to 5% by 2026.

The changes include the following:

There will be a further reduction in the intake cap on international student study permits for 2025 based on a 10% reduction from the 2024 target of 485,000 new study permits issued, and then stabilizing the intake cap for 2026 such that the number of study permits issued remains the same as 2025. For 2025, this means reducing study permits issued to 437,000.

The 2025–2026 study permit intake cap will include master’s and doctoral students who will now have to submit a provincial or territorial attestation letter. IRCC will be reserving approximately 12% of allocation spaces for these students.

As part of changes to the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) programme, all applicants will be required to demonstrate a minimum language proficiency in French or English. A Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 for university graduates and CLB 5 for college graduates will be required for anyone applying for a post-graduation work permit on or after 1 November 2024.

Graduates from programs at public colleges will remain eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) of up to three years if they graduate from a field of study linked to occupations in long-term shortage.

Later in 2024, work permit eligibility for spouses of master’s degree students will be limited to only those whose program is at least 16 months in duration;

Also later in 2024, work permit eligibility for spouses of foreign workers will be limited to those in management or professional occupations or in sectors with labour shortages under Canada’s work permit programs (TFWP and IMP).

Background

On 26 August 2024, the government of Canada announced  the following restrictions to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) programme :

• The government will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the Low-Wage stream, applicable in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as construction and healthcare;
• Employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program. This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the Low-Wage stream and is a further reduction from the March 2024 reduction. Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as healthcare and construction; and
• The maximum duration of employment for workers hired through the Low-Wage stream will be reduced to one year (from two years).

New employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has published details of a new employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream of the International Mobility program (IMP). The new wok permit is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement.

Foreign nationals who have received a job offer in a high-skilled occupation from one of the employers participating in the Global Hypergrowth Project (GHP) are eligible to apply for an employer-specific work permit under the Innovation Stream.

High-skilled occupations include jobs in the National Occupational Classification (NOC) Training, Education, Experience and Responsibilities (TEER) categories 0, 1, 2 or 3.

Applicants must also have the required education and experience listed in the employment requirements section of the NOC for the occupation.

The employer must first submit an offer of employment, pay a CAD 230 employer compliance fee and give the worker an offer of employment number.

An employer-specific work permit allows work in Canada according to the conditions on the work permit, such as the name of the specific employer, the duration of work and the work location. The spouse or common-law partner and dependent children of a holder of this work permit are eligible for an open work permit as family members of a high-skilled worker.

9/13/24

New temporary policy to facilitate work permits for prospective Provincial Nominee Program candidates

On 11 August 2024, the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration signed a new temporary public policy, effective immediately until 31 December 2024, with the aim of transitioning a greater portion of current temporary residents to permanent residency.

The policy allows eligible foreign nationals who hold an employment offer, a valid work permit or held a valid work permit which has expired as of 7 May 2024 and a support letter from the province or territory they reside in, outlining their placement in an Expression of Interest pool or other application inventory process following an initial assessment of the candidate by the province/territory, to be issued an open work permit before receiving a nomination from the province or territory.

Further details of the eligibility criteria are given here.

9/9/24

Visitors no longer permitted to apply for work permits from within the country

On 28 August 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that it had ended a temporary public policy that allowed visitors to apply for a work permit from within Canada, effective immediately.

IRCC introduced the policy in August 2020 to help visitors who were unable to leave the country due to COVID-19 pandemic–related travel restrictions. Under the policy, visitors in Canada could apply for a work permit without having to leave the country. In addition, foreign nationals who had held a work permit in the previous 12 months but who changed their status in Canada to “visitor” could apply to work legally in Canada while waiting for a decision on their new work permit application.

While the temporary policy was set to expire on 28 February 2025, IRCC is ending the policy as part of its overall efforts to recalibrate the number of temporary residents in Canada and preserve the integrity of the immigration system. IRCC is also aware that some bad actors were using the policy to mislead foreign nationals into working in Canada without authorization.

IRCC will continue to process applications submitted before 28 August 2024 under the policy.

8/30/24

Extended work and study permit measures for Ukrainians in Canada

On 23 August 2024, the Canadian government announced that Ukrainian nationals and their family members who were approved under the Canada–Ukraine authorization for emergency travel, and who arrived in Canada on or before 31 March 2024, can now apply for an open work permit until 31 March 2025.

Under these extended measures, they can apply to get a new open work permit that’s valid for up to 3 years, apply to extend a current open work permit or apply for a new study permit, subject to standard fees.

In addition, all Ukrainian temporary residents and their family members in Canada can access free settlement services until 31 March 2025.

Measures to reduce number of temporary foreign workers

On 26 August 2024, the government of Canada announced that the following changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) programme will be implemented, effective by 26 September 2024:

• The government will refuse to process Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) in the Low-Wage stream, applicable in census metropolitan areas with an unemployment rate of 6% or higher. Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as construction and healthcare;
• Employers will be allowed to hire no more than 10% of their total workforce through the TFW Program. This maximum employment percentage will be applied to the Low-Wage stream and is a further reduction from the March 2024 reduction. Exceptions will be granted for seasonal and non-seasonal jobs in food security sectors (primary agriculture, food processing and fish processing), as well as healthcare and construction; and
• The maximum duration of employment for workers hired through the Low-Wage stream will be reduced to one year (from two years).

Within 90 days of this announcement, further review will be undertaken of the Program, which could result in changes to the High-Wage Stream, to existing LMIA applications for which positions have not been filled, to sectoral exceptions, or refusing to process other LMIA applications, including for rural areas.

Background

• According to the government announcement, the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program is designed as an extraordinary measure to be used only when qualified Canadians and permanent residents are not able to fill job vacancies.
• According to the latest data from the Labour Force Survey, the overall unemployment rate has increased to 6.4% following two consecutive monthly increases in May and June. Canada’s unemployment rate increased 0.2 percentage points to 6.4% in June 2024. The unemployment rate trended up since April 2023, rising 1.3 percentage points over the period. In June 2024, there were 1.4 million unemployed people, an increase of 42,000 (+3.1%) from the previous month. 
• As the labour market has loosened, the Government of Canada began rolling back the pandemic measures aimed at addressing an extraordinary labour shortage. Beginning in October 2023, those adjustments have included gradual reductions to the validity period of Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) from 18 months to 6 months, as well as to the cap on percentage of temporary foreign workers from 30% to 20%, both necessary steps toward bringing the program back to pre-pandemic levels. 
• On August 20, 2024, the Government of Canada announced the approval of a proposal by the Government of Quebec for a temporary freeze on the approval of new Temporary Foreign Workers in the low-wage stream in Montreal. Effective September 3rd, 2024, processing of Labour Market Impact Assessment applications will be discontinued for six months for job offers located in the Montreal region with wages below $27.47/hour, which is the current Quebec median hourly wage.

8/26/24

Temporary freeze of low-wage occupations in Montréal under Temporary Foreign Worker Program

On 20 August 2024, the Canadian government announced the approval of a proposal by the Government of Quebec to temporarily refuse to process new Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications for the TFW Program low-wage stream in the Montréal economic region. As a result, processing of these applications will be suspended for six months, starting on 3 September 2024, for job offers located in the Montréal economic region with wages below CAD 27.47/hour, which is the current Quebec median hourly wage.

The economic region of Montréal includes the following municipalities: Baie-d'Urfé; Beaconsfield; Côte-Saint-Luc; Dollard-des-Ormeaux; Dorval; Hampstead; Kirkland; L’Île-Dorval; Montréal; Montréal East; Montréal West; Mount Royal; Pointe-Claire; Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue; Senneville; and Westmount.

This processing suspension applies to all LMIA applications, including those submitted under the facilitated processing.

There are some exceptions to the processing suspension, including jobs in a place of work located outside the economic region of Montréal; jobs with an offered wage equal to or higher than the current median hourly wage in Quebec (CAD 27.47/hour); and LMIA applications received prior to 3 September 2024. Additionally, employers applying for LMIA positions from certain industry groups in the North American Industry Classification System will also be exempted, including those in agriculture, construction, food processing, education, and health and social services sectors.

The government will closely monitor this policy as it makes determinations about future changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.

New pilot program for French-speaking foreign students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the new Francophone Minority Communities Student Pilot (FMCSP) program will be launched on 26 August 2024, in partnership with designated French-language and bilingual post-secondary learning institutions (DLIs).

The pilot program is a flagship measure of the Policy on Francophone Immigration announced earlier this year and will benefit francophone minority communities (FMCs) by helping them attract and retain international students.

To improve the approval rate, students and their families will be exempted from having to demonstrate that they will leave Canada at the end of their temporary stay. In addition, the required financial threshold will be adjusted to reflect 75% of the low-income cut-off associated with the municipality where the institution's main campus is located.

The spouses or common-law partners of the principal applicants may also come to Canada under the pilot program and eventually apply for permanent residence.

Pilot program participants will also benefit from a direct pathway from temporary to permanent status after obtaining their diploma, and they will have access to settlement services while they’re studying to help them integrate successfully into their communities.

Although an annual cap for most study permit applications was established on 22 January 2024, the FMCSP is not included in the overall cap. Each participating DLI will be allocated a limited number of acceptance letters that can be issued for the purpose of processing study permits under the pilot program.

The maximum number of study permit applications that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will accept under the pilot program is 2300 for the first year. A cap for the second year of the pilot program will be set by August 2025.

7/12/24

Extension of permanent residence programme for out-of-status construction workers in Greater Toronto

The policy making available permanent residence for construction workers (and their family members) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who have fallen out of status has been extended until 31 December 2024 or until 1000 principal applicants (including their accompanying family members) have been granted permanent residence, whichever comes first.

All existing program criteria remain the same. More information about the policy is available here.

7/5/24

British Colombia implements International Credentials Recognition Act

On 1 July 2024,  the International Credentials Recognition Act came into effect in the province of British Colombia.

On 1 January 2025, regulations defining prohibited Canadian work experience and outlining exemptions will come into effect.

On 1 July 2025, the prohibition on requiring Canadian work experience will come into effect.

The act is intended to remove barriers in 29 professions and make it fairer, more transparent and efficient for qualified professionals to pursue and achieve credential recognition, wherever they were trained.

The professions include engineers, social workers, veterinarians, paramedics, early childhood educators, teachers, biologists, land surveyors and architects, among others.

In addition, the province will appoint a new superintendent of international credential recognition to oversee the fair recognition of international credentials, addressing any systemic or procedural issues. They will also have the authority under the act to issue orders for compliance and impose administrative penalties as needed.

6/28/24

Border applications no longer available for post-graduation work permit

On 21 June 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that foreign nationals can no longer apply for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) at the border, effective immediately. This measure is intended to reduce what is known as “flagpoling.” Flagpoling occurs when temporary residents of Canada bypass the normal wait times involved in applying for a work or study permit online by leaving the country and then immediately re-entering to receive same-day immigration services.

Flagpoling hours were recently reduced at 12 ports of entry across Canada to allow border services officers to efficiently process the large volume of travellers in peak periods and to focus on other key priorities, including high-risk travellers and trade facilitation. Other recent measures to address flagpoling have included

• speeding up processing times for in-Canada work permit applications;
• simplifying online application forms and processes so foreign nationals can continue working while they wait for a decision on their new application;
• authorizing workers to start working for a new employer right away, rather than waiting to have their new work permit application processed before changing jobs.

In most cases, a study permit expires 90 days after the expected completion of an international student’s study program. When an eligible graduating student applies online for a PGWP before their study permit expires, they can work full-time while they wait for approval on a work permit and receive an automated letter that can be shown to employers. When a work permit is approved, it’s mailed directly to them.

6/17/24

New visa application centres opened in Mexico

Canada has opened three new visa application centres (VACs) in Mexico City, Monterrey and Guadalajara, Mexico.

The new VACs will initially provide biometric collection services only, and then we will work to expand the range of services to include transmitting and tracking passports or other documents. In the meantime, applicants can continue to access the full range of services at the existing VAC in Mexico City.

With these new centres, Mexico will have four VACs located in the country’s three largest metropolitan areas.

Applicants can make appointments to give their biometrics at any of the four VAC locations as soon as they receive their biometric instruction letter.

VACs are managed by private companies that have contracts with the Government of Canada. They don’t represent the Government of Canada. They don’t make decisions about applications and can’t provide any visa-related advice to applicants

Updated minimum funds for Express Entry

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has posted updated minimum fund requirements for applicants for permanent residence through Express Entry. The numbers are updated annually.

Proof of funds is how applicants demonstrate that they have enough money to settle in Canada. If invited you to apply, applicants must give written proof that they have this money.

Proof of funds is required to meet the minimum requirements of the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Proof of funds is not required for those who are :

• applying under the Canadian Experience Class; or
• authorized to work in Canada and have a valid job offer, even if they apply under the Federal Skilled Worker Program or the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Those who do not require proof of funds must upload either a letter explaining that they have been invited to apply under the Canadian Experience Class, or a valid job offer.

The amount of funds required is based on the size of applicant’s family, including the applicant, their spouse or common-law partner and their dependent children (even if the spouse, partner or children are Canadian citizens or permanent residents, and even if they are not accompanying the applicant to Canada.

The new amounts are as follows:

Further details are available here.

6/7/24

New pilot permanent residence programs for caregivers

On 3 June 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced new, enhanced caregiver pilots. 

The new pilot programs will provide home care workers with permanent residence (PR) on arrival in Canada. They will also be allowed to work for organizations that provide temporary or part­time care for people who are semi-independent or recovering from an injury or illness.

Through these new pilot programs, candidates interested in working in Canada’s home care sector will be eligible to apply if they meet the following criteria:

• attain a minimum of level 4 based on the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB)
• hold the equivalent of a Canadian high school diploma
• have recent and relevant work experience
• receive an offer for a full-time home care job.

More information will be available before the full launch of the pilots, including full eligibility criteria and details on how to apply.

5/31/24

New operating hours for border services

Effective 30 May 2024, Canadian immigration services at the Canada/US border are only available at specified times, rather than 24 hours a day.

Some temporary residents of Canada leave Canada and re-enter within 24 hours to receive immigration services. This practice is known as "flagpoling."

Those who decide to come to a port of entry for immigration services may encounter long queues and their turn may not come before the end of service hours. The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) highly recommends using IRCC's online services.

5/10/24

New temporary public policy to benefit Hong Kong permanent residence applicants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that a new public policy will be launched in the coming weeks to let Hong Kong permanent residence pathway applicants extend their status and get a new open work permit in Canada while they wait for a decision on their permanent residence applications

Starting 27 May 2024, open work permits will be available to those who both:

• applied for permanent residence under Stream A (in-Canada graduates) or Stream B (Canadian work experience) of the temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents in Canada, and
• held a work or study permit in the three years before their application for permanent residence was received

The new public policy will remain in place for five years so that applicants can extend their temporary status in Canada while the processing of their permanent residence application continues.

Those with temporary status in Canada, or their guardians, are responsible for renewing their status as needed. A foreign national who submits an application to extend their work or study permit in Canada before their current permit expires continues to have legal status until a decision is taken on their extension application. This is called “maintained status”.

If an applicant’s temporary status expired in the 90 days before applying for a new open work permit, they can apply under this public policy and restore their status at the same time. If their temporary status expired more than 90 days before they try to apply for this new open work permit, their application will not be approved.

2024 parents and grandparents intake announced

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that, starting 21 May 2024, invitations will be sent to potential sponsors to apply for their parents and grandparents to become permanent residents.

IRCC will send 35,700 invitations over the course of approximately two weeks to those who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020. The goal is to accept up to 20,500 complete applications for the 2024 intake.

For those who aren’t invited to apply as a sponsor, their parents and grandparents may be eligible to apply for a super visa which lets them stay in Canada for five years at a time, and to apply for two-year extensions once they are in Canada.

New measure to support skilled temporary workers in Manitoba

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has approved Manitoba’s request to extend temporary resident status for potential nominees identified under the province’s Provincial Nominee Program who have work permits that will expire in 2024. These individuals are mainly post-graduation work permit holders who are currently in the Manitoba Skilled Worker Provincial Nominee Program Expression of Interest pool.

This temporary measure will authorize 6700 temporary workers identified and supported by Manitoba to continue working while the province processes their applications for the Provincial Nominee Program. Within two years, it is expected that eligible foreign nationals will receive an official nomination from Manitoba and eventually become permanent residents.

While this measure applies to Manitoba, IRCC is open to exploring options with other provinces and territories to transition a greater portion of current temporary residents to permanent residence and address their labour market needs.

5/6/24

Changes to the Start-up Visa and Self-Employed Persons programs

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced several changes to Canada’s federal business programs to help reduce processing times and the application backlog. These changes took effect on 30 April 2024.

To improve the Start-up Visa Program, IRCC will encourage designated venture capital firms, angel investor groups and business incubators to focus on the most promising proposals by

• capping the number of permanent residence applications accepted for processing each year to those associated with no more than 10 start-ups per designated organization;
• providing priority processing for entrepreneurs whose start-up is supported by Canadian capital or by a business incubator that is a member of Canada’s Tech Network, including applications in the inventory and new applications as they are submitted.

In addition, the Minister announced a full pause on application intake for the Self­-Employed Persons Program to focus on processing applications from the inventory, starting 30 April 2024. The Self-Employed Persons Program provides a pathway to permanent residence for people with notable experience in art, culture, recreation or sports and who will contribute to Canada’s cultural vitality. Due to the high number of applications submitted for this program, processing times have increased to beyond four years. While the pause is in place, IRCC will continue finalizing applications from the backlog while assessing options for reforming the program and ensuring its integrity.

New rules around off-campus work hours for international students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that the temporary policy allowing students to work more than 20 hours per week off campus ended on 30 April 2024 and will not be extended.

In autumn 2024, IRCC intends to change the number of hours students may work off campus per week to 24 hours.

Students who have a scheduled academic break can continue working unlimited hours.

4/19/24

Provincial and territorial allocations announced for national cap on study permit applications

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has finalized provincial and territorial allocations for 2024 for the previously announced national cap on study permits.

According to a statement from the Ministry:

The national cap is based on the amount of expiring study permits this year. This means that the number of international students coming to Canada in 2024 should be the same as the number of students whose permits expire this year. For 2024, the target is 485,000 approved study permits.

About 20% of students apply for an extension each year and remain in the country. Therefore, IRCC subtracted that amount (97,000) from the target of 485,000 and set aside a small buffer to allow for other variations, resulting in a revised target of 364,000 approved study permits in 2024.

Accordingly, based on the national approval rate of 60% for study permit applications, the target of 364,000 approved study permits translates into a cap of 606,000 study permit applications received for 2024.

Some international students are exempt from the cap, such as primary and secondary school students and master’s or doctoral degree students. IRCC deducted the estimated volume of these groups (140,000 based on 2023 data) from the 2024 target number of approved study permits. This resulted in a target of 236,000 approved study permits for 2024, which converts to roughly 393,000 study permit applications to be allocated. 

IRCC distributed the adjusted number of study permit applications, 393,000, based on the population share of each province and territory. Under this model, some provinces and territories would get more students in 2024 than in 2023, while others would see fewer new students. 

For provinces that would receive more international students in 2024 than in 2023 based on population share, we adjusted their allocation to limit growth to 10% compared to 2023.

For provinces that would receive fewer international students in 2024 than in 2023, we adjusted their allocation to lessen the negative impact in the first year and support broader regional immigration goals.

IRCC also topped up allocations for provinces whose approval rate was lower than 60%. The top­-ups will help provinces with lower approval rates reach their expected number of approved study permits in 2024. 

As a result, a total of about 552,000 study permit applications have been allocated to provinces and territories under the national cap. These allocations are expected to yield approximately 292,000 approved study permits, representing a 28% reduction from 2023 for the groups included under the cap. 

Many variables may influence the number of new international students who arrive in Canada in 2024, for example

• provinces and territories with room to grow may not end up using their full allocations
• approval rates may change
• in-year adjustments may be required.

4/5/24

Permanent residence fees increase

The Canadian government has given notice that fees for permanent residence will increase on 30 April 2024.

The increase is in line with the cumulative percentage increase in the consumer price index published by Statistics Canada, for the two previous years, rounded to the nearest five dollars. Since 2020, Canada has increased immigration fees every two years.

The increases are as follows:

• The Right of Permanent Residence fee will increase from CAD 515 to CAD 575;
• The fees for Federal Skilled Workers, the Provincial Nominee Program, Quebec Skilled Workers, Atlantic Immigration Class and most economic pilots will increase from CAD 850 to CAD 950;
• The Live-in Caregiver Program and caregivers pilots fee will increase from CAD 570 to CAD 635;
• The fee for the Business category (federal and Quebec) will increase from CAD 1625 to CAD 1810;
• The Family reunification fee will increase from CAD 490 to CAD 545;
• The fees for protected persons, humanitarian and compassionate consideration and public policy will increase from CAD 570 to CAD 635;
• The permit holders fee will increase from CAD 335 to CAD 375;
• Fees will also increase for accompanying spouses and common-law partners as well as for dependent children.

3/29/24

Adjustments to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program

Employment and Social Development Canada has announced that some time-limited measures under the TFW Program Workforce Solutions Road Map will not be renewed and will end, earlier than planned, in spring 2024.

Effective 1 May 2024:

• New Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIAs) will be valid for six months (a decrease from 12 months) to ensure accurate labour market needs.
• All employers identified in the 2022 Workforce Solutions Road Map will have a reduction from 30% to 20% of their total workforce that can come in through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, under the low wage stream, with an exception for the construction and health care sectors.
• Employers will need to explore every option before applying for an LMIA — including recruiting asylum seekers with valid work permits in Canada.

In addition, as of 1 January 2024, employers are required to annually review the wages of temporary foreign workers to ensure they reflect increases to prevailing wage rates for their given occupation and region of work. Through wage increases, these reviews will ensure that employers continue to pay temporary foreign workers at the prevailing wage level throughout their period of employment. For the vast majority of cases, when wages are reviewed, they are increased for the workers. If not, they remain the same and cannot go down upon review.

The Workforce Solutions Road Map announced in 2022 applied to the following seven sectors: Food Manufacturing (NAICS 311); Wood Product Manufacturing (NAICS 321); Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (NAICS 337); Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72); Construction (NAICS 23); Hospitals (NAICS 622); and Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (NAICS 623).

Update on rule changes for certain international students

In January 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that, effective 1 September 1, 2024, international students who begin a study program that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post­graduation work permit upon graduation. This is intended “in order to better align the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program”.

On 22 March 2024, the date of this change was brought forward so that international students who begin a study program on or after 15 May 2024 that is part of a curriculum licensing arrangement will no longer be eligible for a post­graduation work permit upon graduation.

Under curriculum licensing agreements, students physically attend a private college that has been licensed to deliver the curriculum of an associated public college. These programs have seen significant growth in attracting international students in recent years, though they have less oversight than public colleges and they act as a loophole with regards to post-graduation work permit eligibility.

3/22/24

New eligibility requirements for open work permit for spouse or partner of international students

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has provided further details of the new eligibility requirements, effective 19 March 2024, for a spouse or common-law partner of an international student wishing to apply for an open work permit.
From that date, a spouse or common-law partner of an international student may be eligible for an open work permit if they student has a valid study permit and is studying in either
•    a master’s or doctoral degree program in a university or polytechnic institution, or
•    one of the following professional degree programs at a university:
o    Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS, DMD)
o    Bachelor of Law or Juris Doctor (LLB, JD, BCL)
o    Doctor of Medicine (MD)
o    Doctor of Optometry (OD)
o    Pharmacy (PharmD, BS, BSc, BPharm)
o    Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
o    Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN, BSN, BNSc)
o    Bachelor of Education (B. Ed.)
o    Bachelor of Engineering (B. Eng., BE, BASc)
The spouse or partner must provide one of the following documents to prove the student’s enrolment in a degree-granting program of study:
•    a valid letter of acceptance from the student’s designated learning institution (DLI)
•    a proof of enrolment letter from the DLI
•    transcripts from the current program of study.
IRCC will ask the spouse or partner to provide additional documents, such as proof of their relationship to the student.
If the spouse or common-law partner applied for an open work permit before 19 March 2024, the student must meet the following requirements:
•    They have a valid study permit.
•    They’re eligible for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP).
•    They’re a full-time student at one of these types of schools:
o    a public post-secondary school, such as a college or university, or CEGEP in Quebec
o    a private college-level school in Quebec
o    a Canadian private school that can legally award degrees under provincial law (for example, a bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral degree)

3/15/24

New rural and Francophone minority immigration pilots

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had announced new pilots for rural and Francophone minority communities, with a view to creating a permanent rural immigration program.

The Rural Community Immigration Pilot will launch in autumn 2024. It aims to ensure that rural communities continue to have the ability to access programs that address labour shortages and help local businesses find the workers they need. It will provide pathways to permanent residence for newcomers who can help to overcome critical labour job shortages and want to live long term in these smaller communities.

The Francophone Community Immigration Pilot, part of the Francophone Immigration Policy and modelled on the success of the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot (RNIP), will also be launched in autumn 2024. The pilot will focus on increasing the number of French-speaking newcomers settling in Francophone minority communities outside of Quebec.

IRCC will open the community application process this spring to select communities who will participate in the pilots and will share more details in the coming months.

On February 21, 2024, IRCC extended the deadline for current RNIP communities to recommend candidates for permanent residence until 31 July 2024. IRCC also increased the number of candidates that communities can recommend. These changes allow participating communities to take part in the pilot for a longer period and continue meeting their labour needs with skilled candidates.

3/1/24

New entry requirements for Mexican nationals 

Effective 29 February 2024 at 11:30 pm Eastern time, Mexican citizens who hold a valid US non-immigrant visa or have held a Canadian visa in the past 10 years and are travelling by air on a Mexican passport will be able to apply for an electronic travel authorization (eTA).

Those who do not meet these conditions will need to apply for a Canadian visitor visa.

All eTAs issued to Mexican passports before 11:30 pm Eastern time on 29 February 2024, will no longer be valid, except for eTAs linked to Mexican passports with a valid Canadian work or study permit.

Mexican citizens travelling to Canada without a valid work or study permit will need to apply for a visitor visa or reapply for a new eTA—if they are eligible.

Mexican citizens holding a valid work or study permit can still travel by air to Canada with their existing eTA as long as it remains valid, and they can continue to study or work in Canada based on the validity and conditions of their permit. Mexican visitors who are already in Canada on an eTA can stay for as long as they are authorized (up to six months from the date they arrive in Canada). However, if they plan to leave Canada and wish to return, they must have the proper travel documents (visa or new eTA).

Most approved visa applicants receive multiple-entry visas, which allow them to visit Canada as many times as they want, for up to 10 years, or until their passport expires.

The eTA is a digital travel document that most visa-exempt travellers need in order to travel to or transit through Canada by air. IRCC first began expanding its eTA program to eligible citizens from visa-required countries in 2017. Mexico will now be among 15 countries whose citizens can fly to Canada on an eTA, instead of a visa, if they meet certain requirements.

The application process for Mexican citizens seeking a work or study permit will not change.

2/23/24

Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) update

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has confirmed that the previously-announced new, longer, three-year post-graduation work permit (PGWP) is now available to those who are graduating from a master’s degree program that is less than two years and who meet all other PGWP eligibility criteria.

The length of PGWPs for programs other than master’s degrees will continue to align with the length of the study program, to a maximum of three years.

Graduates of programs that are at least two years in length at PGWP-eligible designated learning institutions are eligible for a three-year PGWP, as are graduates of master’s degree programs less than two years in length

New visa application centre in Portugal

On 19 February 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the opening of a new Canada visa application centre (VAC) in Lisbon, Portugal on 26 February 2024. Applicants can make an appointment as of 12 February 2024.

VACs are managed by private companies that have contracts with the Government of Canada. Their primary role is to accept documents required in the visa application process, securely transmit them to IRCC offices and provide biometric collection services. VAC service agents are available by phone, email or in person to answer questions in local languages and to help make sure that applications are complete.

Portuguese citizens visiting Canada for up to six months typically only need an electronic travel authorization. Those who plan to visit or study for longer than six months or to work in Canada are required to apply for a visa and a study or work permit.

With the opening of the Lisbon VAC, applicants in Portugal will no longer need to travel outside of the country. Non-Portuguese citizens living in Portugal who need a visa to come to Canada can also access services at the Lisbon VAC.

2/9/24

Ban on foreign ownership of housing extended

The government has announced that its ban on foreign ownership of foreign housing is to be extended for a further two years.

The ban, originally introduced on 1 January 2023, was originally set to expire on 1 January 2025 but will now be extended until 1 January 2027. Foreign commercial enterprises and people who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents will continue to be prohibited from purchasing residential property in Canada.

2/2/24

Extension of permanent residence programme for out-of-status construction workers in Greater Toronto

The policy making available permanent residence for construction workers (and their family members) in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) who have fallen out of status has been extended for another six months until 2 July 2024.

All existing program criteria remain the same, including the cap of 1000 principal applicants. More information about the policy is available here.

12/26/23

Upcoming changes to authentication services

Global Affairs Canada recently announced upcoming improvements to its authentication services for documents to be used outside Canada.

Effective 11 January 2024, wen the Apostille Convention comes into force in Canada, a single certificate, called an ‘apostille’, will be issued to authenticate Canadian public documents. This will facilitate their use in more than 120 countries that are members of the convention, eliminating some of the steps currently required to have documents accepted outside Canada.

Public documents such as birth and marriage certificates, education documents and government-issued export and corporate records, as well as notarized documents, can be authenticated with an apostille certificate.

As part of this change, Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan will be responsible for issuing apostilles for documents issued or notarized in their respective provinces.

Global Affairs Canada will issue apostilles for documents from the remaining provinces, the territories, and the Government of Canada.

More information is available here

12/15/23

International Experience Canada 2024 opens

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRC) has announced that, effective 11 December 2023, the 2024 season of the International Experience Canada (IEC) Program is open.

The program will allow nearly 90,000 young people from IEC partner countries and territories to travel to Canada to participate. Those interested in applying can submit a profile now.

IEC is a reciprocal program that allows Canadian and international youth aged 18–35 to work and travel in each other’s countries. Canada has established youth mobility partnerships with over 35 countries and territories, and in 2023, signed new arrangements or agreements with Finland, Iceland and Ukraine, and improved existing ones with South Korea and the United Kingdom.

IEC has 3 participation categories:

• Working Holiday participants receive an open work permit that allows them to work anywhere in the host country to support their travels.
• International Co-op (Internship) participants receive an employer-specific work permit that allows students to gain targeted experience in their field of study.
• Young Professionals participants receive an employer-specific work permit to gain targeted, professional work experience within their field of study or career path.

Canada and Finland signed a new youth mobility agreement in March 2023. Youth from Finland are expected to be able to participate once the agreement is ratified by both countries sometime in 2024.

Young people will be able to participate in the Canada–Ukraine youth mobility agreement once travel to Ukraine becomes safe

12/8/23

Revised cost-of-living requirement for study permits

On 7 December 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRC) announced that, starting 1 January 2024, the cost-of-living financial requirement for new study permit applicants will be increased to CAD 20,635.

This threshold will then be adjusted each year when Statistics Canada updates the low-income cut-off (LICO). LICO represents the minimum income necessary to ensure that an individual does not have to spend a greater than average portion of income on necessities. CAD 20,645 represents 75% of LICO.

Applicants must, in addition, have enough to pay for their tuition and travel costs.

The cost-of-living requirement for study permit applicants has not changed since the early 2000s, when it was set at CAD 10,000 for a single applicant.

Update on temporary policies affecting international students

IRCC also provided an update on the following three temporary policies affecting international students that were all set to expire at the end of 2023:

• The waiver on the 20-hour-per-week limit on the number of hours international students are allowed to work off campus while class is in session will be extended to 30 April 2024. International students already in Canada, as well as applicants who have already submitted an application for a study permit as of 7 December 2023, will be able to work off campus more than 20 hours per week until that time. We continue to examine options for this policy in the future, such as expanding off-campus work hours for international students to 30 hours per week while class is in session.
• The facilitative measure that has allowed international students to count time spent studying online towards the length of a future post-graduation work permit, as long as it constitutes less than 50% of the program of study, will continue to be in place for students who begin a study program before 1 September 2024. This measure will no longer apply to students who begin a study program on or after that date. Distance learning facilitation measures were first implemented in 2020 in response to travel restrictions during the pandemic, and were reduced in scope in September 2022. At this point, the vast majority of international students are studying in person in Canada.
• In response to labour market disruptions during the pandemic and post-pandemic recovery, a temporary policy was introduced on three occasions to provide an additional 18-month work permit to post-graduation work permit holders as their initial work permit was expiring. Foreign nationals with a post-graduation work permit expiring up to 31 December 2023, remain eligible to apply. However, this temporary policy will not be extended further.

New global immigration processing centre in Romania

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the launch of a new global operations centre in Romania. The new centre is located within the Embassy of Canada in Bucharest and will be supported by 20 new employees, including both Canada-based and locally-engaged staff.

This is IRCC’s second global operations centre outside Canada—the first one opened this past March in the Philippines. These centres complement Canada’s processing network, extend the work day over multiple time zones, and help boost IRCC’s overall processing capacity for the benefit of applicants.

Extended deadline for permanent residence applications

According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), some applicants for permanent residence through Express Entry have been unable to submit their applications due to technical problems with the online form. This has affected applicants with dependent children aged over 18 years residing in Canada. The issue has now been resolved.

For those affected, IRCC has extended the deadline to submit a permanent residence application for an additional 60 days.

Those who were invited to apply on

• 26 September 2023 have until 26 January 2024 to submit their application 
• 27 September 2023 have until 27 January 2024 to submit their application 
• 28 September 2023 have until 28 January 2024 to submit their application.

12/1/23

Changes to inadmissibility fees

Effective 1 December 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased the fees for foreign nationals applying to regain their status or to return to Canada after being inadmissible.

• Authorisation to return to Canada has increased from CAD 400 to CAD 459.55;
• Rehabilitation for those inadmissible on the grounds of criminality has increased from CAD 200 to CAD 229.77;
• Rehabilitation for those inadmissible on the grounds of serious criminality has increased from CAD 1000 to CAD 1148.87;
• Restoration of status as a visitor, worker or student has increased from CAD 200 to CAD 229.77;
• Restoration of status as a worker with a new work permit has increased from CAD 355 to CAD 384.77;
• Restoration of status as a student with a new study permit has increased from CAD 350 to CAD 379.77;
• A temporary resident permit has increased from CAD 200 to CAD 229.77.

These fees will continue to be adjusted annually for inflation every 1 December.

11/3/23

Immigration targets for 2024-2026 published

On 1 November 2023, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) tabled the 2024-2026 Immigration Levels Plan.

The government is maintaining its target of 485,000 permanent residents for 2024 and plans to reach 500,000 in 2025. Starting in 2026, the government projects that it will stabilize permanent resident levels at 500,000, with the intention of allowing time for successful integration, while continuing to augment Canada’s labour market.

The government also plans to take action over the next year to recalibrate the number of temporary resident admissions to ensure this remains sustainable.

The new Levels Plan also aims for over 60% of permanent resident admissions dedicated to the economic class by 2025, and new Francophone immigration targets to support Francophone communities outside of Quebec.

Changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Workforce Solutions Road Map

The Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages has announced changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker (TFW) Program Workforce Solutions Road Map. These extended measures will be in place until 30 August 2024 and include:

• continuing to allow employers in seven sectors with demonstrated labour shortages to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the TFW Program for positions under the provincial or territorial median hourly wage;
• maintaining the maximum duration of employment for positions under the provincial or territorial median hourly wage at up to two years; and
• adjusting the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) validity period from the current 18-month maximum to a maximum of 12-months to better respond to the labour market. 

The seven sectors in which employers can continue to hire up to 30% of their workforce through the TFW Program are the following: Food Manufacturing (NAICS 311); Wood Product Manufacturing (NAICS 321); Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (NAICS 337); Accommodation and Food Services (NAICS 72); Construction (NAICS 23); Hospitals (NAICS 622); and Nursing and Residential Care Facilities (NAICS 623).

Along with these temporary measures, employers will be required, as of 1 January 2024, to annually review temporary foreign workers’ wages to ensure that they reflect increases to prevailing wage rates for their given occupation and region of work. Through periodic wage increases, these reviews will ensure that employers continue to pay temporary foreign workers at the prevailing wage level throughout their period of employment.

Plans for the immigration system published

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released a report setting out a pathway for the future of the country’s immigration system.

An Immigration System for Canada’s Future identifies changes, some of which are already underway, while others are still in development. These include:

• positioning the immigration system to adapt quickly and to respond equitably and sustainably to growing global humanitarian crises;
• developing a new Francophone Immigration Policy to enhance the vitality of Francophone minority communities, while maintaining and increasing the demographic weight of French linguistic minority communities in Canada;
• improving the International Student Program by working with provinces and territories on a Recognized Institutions Framework so that post-secondary institutions with high standards in key areas such as integrity and student supports can benefit from faster processing of study permits;
• integrating housing, health care and infrastructure planning, along with other important services, into Canada’s immigration levels planning, in close collaboration with provinces, territories and municipalities;
• building an advisory body of newcomers with experience in immigration to inform program and policy improvements, as well as service delivery;
• creating a Chief International Talent Officer position to more effectively align immigration programs and pathways with the labour market, including industry and sector strategies;
• making the IRCC website more user-friendly, so that applicants can easily find the information they need.

11/3/23

The Quebec government has announced that they will be imposing a French language requirement for Work Permit renewals under the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. The workers that will be affected are the employees that have LMIA/CAQ based work permits.

• This will apply to renewals under LMIA/CAQ for temporary foreign workers who have more than 3 years in Quebec.
• They will be required to pass a French language test to demonstrate oral knowledge to Level 4.
  • Level 4 is the highest beginner level
  • No written requirement in French
• Employers using the Temporary Foreign Worker Program will have to support the employee in learning French by allocating time during the normal working hours.
• Foreign workers in Quebec are eligible for French classes organized by the Quebec government.

There is no confirmation as to when this new policy with be enforced, though it is believed to be in the coming weeks.

This new policy does not apply to LMIA exempt work permits which fall under the Federal jurisdiction. The Quebec government has asked for similar measures to be imposed but there have been no announcements from the Federal Government.

10/20/23

Pilot to streamline work permit applications in the Philippines

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced the launch of CAN Work Philippines at the Canadian visa office in Manila, a pilot programme allowing eligible Canadian employers to schedule group appointments for medical examinations and biometrics for potential employees.

The pilot is open to Canadian employers recruiting from the Philippines and hiring approximately 50 or more workers, or for critical occupations in sectors such as health care, construction and agri-food.

Filipino nationals are among the top recipients of Canadian work permits. For the first six months of 2023, one in every ten Temporary Foreign Worker Program work permits were issued to Filipino nationals.

On 6 June 2023, Canada announced expanded access to its Electronic Travel Authorization Program to include the Philippines, giving more Filipinos access to visa-free entry to Canada by air.

10/13/23

New permanent residence pathway for migrants from the Americas

As part of its commitment, earlier this year, to welcome 15,000 migrants from the Americas, Canada will welcome up to 11,000 Colombians, Haitians and Venezuelans through a new permanent residence pathway.

Starting this autumn, Colombian, Haitian and Venezuelan nationals located in Central or South America or the Caribbean who have extended family connections in Canada will be eligible to apply for this new pathway. To qualify, the principal applicant must be a child (regardless of age), grandchild, spouse, common-law partners, parent, grandparent or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Successful applicants will be offered enhanced pre-arrival services, including an employment skills assessment and a referral to a settlement provider organization in their intended community. More detailed information will be available closer to the launch of the new pathway.

10/6/23

No upfront medical exam required for Express Entry

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), effective 1 October 2023, applicants for permanent residence via Express Entry are no longer required to undergo an immigration medical exam (IME) before submitting their application.

Instead, applicants who have never completed an IME must:

• upload a blank document in the upload field of the Express Entry Profile Builder when submitting the application, and
• wait for IRCC to send further instructions on when to get a medical exam.

Applicants who have already completed an IME as part of a previous application (e.g., for work or study) within 5 years before submitting a new application and are currently living in Canada, may not need to complete another IME.

They should provide a copy of the documents (information printout sheet and IMM 1017B Upfront Medical Report form) given to them by the panel physician at their previous IME, or their IME number (or unique medical identifier number) from their previous IME, when they apply online.

If IRCC cannot use the old results, they will send instructions on how to arrange an IME  after the application is submitted.

An IME from a panel physician is a requirement for permanent residence. The applicant’s family members must also have a medical exam, even if they aren’t accompanying the applicant to Canada.

9/29/23

Category-based permanent residence invitations for agriculture and agri-food workers

On 27 September, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRC) announced the first round of invitations for agriculture and agri-food occupations through category-based selection in Express Entry, due to take place during the week after the announcement.

This follow the  changes to Express Entry through category-based selection announced on 31 May 2023, aimed at addressing labour shortages and supporting economic goals by inviting candidates with specific work experience or French language ability to apply for permanent residence.

Since May 2023, Canada has invited French speakers, STEM professionals, health workers, candidates with trades expertise and transport workers to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.

9/22/23

Category-based permanent residence invitations for transport workers

On 18 September, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRC) announced the first round of invitations for transport occupations through category-based selection in Express Entry, due to take place during the week after the announcement.

This follows the changes to Express Entry through category-based selection announced on 31 May 2023, aimed at addressing labour shortages and supporting economic goals by inviting candidates with specific work experience or French language ability to apply for permanent residence.

Since May 2023, Canada has invited French speakers, STEM professionals, health workers and candidates with trades expertise to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry.

9/15/23

Parents and Grandparents Program to re-open

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it will accept up to 15,000 complete applications for sponsorship under the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2023. On October 10, 2023, IRCC will begin sending invitations to apply to 24,200 interested potential sponsors, aiming to receive up to 15,000 complete applications. Invitations will be sent over the course of two weeks.

Due to the number of forms remaining in the pool of submissions from 2020, IRCC will send invitations to apply to randomly selected potential sponsors from that pool instead of opening a new interest to sponsor form. This is the same approach taken for the 2021 and 2022 intakes. Anyone who submitted an interest to sponsor form in 2020, but did not receive an invitation to apply in 2021 or 2022, is encouraged to check the email account they provided in 2020 when they submitted their interest to sponsor form.

Those invited to apply as part of the 2023 intake will continue to use the Permanent Residence Portal or the Representative Permanent Residence Portal, which allow applications to be submitted electronically.

Those who wish to reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada, but who are not invited this year, may consider having their parents or grandparents apply for a super visa, which is a multiple-entry visa that is valid for up to 10 years. Enhancements to the super visa allow super visa holders to stay in Canada for five years at a time, with the option to extend their visit by up to two years at a time without leaving the country. These changes make it easier for Canadian citizens and permanent residents to reunite with their parents and grandparents in Canada for longer periods.

10/27/23

Fewer Canadian diplomatic staff in India

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that it is reducing its number of employees in India from 27 to five. CC will continue to accept and process applications from India, but reduced staffing levels are expected to impact processing times.

The large majority of applications from India are already processed outside the country, with 89% of India’s applications processed through the global network. The 5 Canada-based IRCC staff who remain in India will focus on work that requires an in-country presence such as urgent processing, visa printing, risk assessment and overseeing key partners.

Clients from India can expect to see some delays over the next few months. This includes delays in overall processing times, responses to enquiries and returning visas or passports.

IRCC noted that this decision follows India’s intent to unilaterally remove immunities for all but 21 Canadian diplomats and dependents in Delhi.

The Ministry of External Affairs of India responded by stating that the much higher number of Canadian diplomats in India, and their continued interference in our internal affairs warrant a parity in mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa; and by rejecting any attempt to portray the implementation of parity as a violation of international norms.

On 26 October 2023, the High Commission of India in Ottawa, along with the Indian consulates in Toronto and Vancouver, resumed the processing of entry, business, medical and conference visas. All Indian visa services in Canada had been suspended for several weeks.

April 2025 - “High-end foreign talents” in Beijing exempt from tax document requirement

The Beijing Overseas Talent Centre has announced that “high-end foreign talents” (Category A) with an average salary at least six times the previous year's regional average wage for urban employees are exempted from submitting tax documentation when applying for work permit extensions and cancellations. Compliance with this policy will be verified through random inspections conducted by the relevant authorities.

Background

In 2017, China introduced a three-tier grading scheme for foreign talent. Foreign national applicants are placed in Tier A, B, or C by earning the associated number of points under a point scoring system, or by fulfilling a condition that automatically places them in a given tier.

To qualify for tier A, applicants must score at least 85 points; or be employed through a regional talent plan; or meet recognised international standards in their field; or earn over six times the average local salary; or be employed in certain positions; or be demonstrably entrepreneurial; or be a graduate student under 40 years of age with a degree from a high-ranking university.

Jan 2025 - Shanghai introduces special business visa for certain business travellers

The International Services department of the Shanghai government has announced visa facilitation measures for foreign nationals travelling to the city for business.

Eligible foreign business people may apply to the Chinese embassy or a consulate in their home country for a multiple-entry M visa or equivalent issued valid for five years (usually up to one year) with a 180-day stay (usually 30 to 60 days), upon receiving a Special Visa Invitation Letter issued by the Shanghai Municipal Foreign Affairs Office.

Applicants may be exempted from fingerprint collection and may entrust others to apply for the visa, and will only be charged the fee for a one-year multiple-entry visa.

1/13/25

New mutual visa exemption agreement with Solomon Islands

An agreement between the China and the Solomon Islands on the mutual exemption of visas took effect on 28 December 2024.

According to the agreement, citizens holding a valid Chinese ordinary passport or a valid Solomon Islands ordinary passport, entering, leaving or transiting the other country, staying for no more than 30 days per single stay, and staying for no more than 90 days for a cumulative stay of no more than 90 days every 180 days, is exempt from any visa requirement.

Those who need to stay in the other country for more than 30 days, or stay for more than 90 days for a cumulative time every 180 days, or engage in activities such as work, study, settlement, news reporting, etc. in the territory of the other country subject to prior approval by the competent authorities, must apply for a corresponding visa before entering the other country.

Those who cannot leave the country within the visa-free period of stay due to force majeure must apply to the local competent authority for an extension of the period of stay with relevant supporting materials.

12/27/24

Transit visa waiver expanded

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has announced the expansion of the visa-free transit policy effective 17 December 2024.

Under the updated policy, qualifying travellers transiting through China can stay in the country for up to 240 hours (10 days) up from the previous 72 or 144 hours.

The number of ports that can be used for visa-free transit has also increased by 21, from 39 to 60.

The number of participating provinces has increased by 5 from 19 to 24. The new provinces are Anhui, Hainan, Guizhou, Shanxi (Taiyuan and Datong) and Jiangxi (Nanchang and Jingdezhen). The permitted stay areas of Fujian, Hubei and Shaanxi provinces and of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region have been expanded.

The transit-visa free policy is applicable to nationals of 54 countries who require valid international travel documents and an onward travel ticket with a confirmed date and seat.

12/4/24

Further expansion of unilateral visa free entry policy

Effective 30 November 2024, nationals of Bulgaria, Croatia, Estonia, Japan, Latvia, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Romania qualify for China’s unilateral visa-free entry programme.

Additionally, China has extended the period of stay under the programme from 15 days to 30 days, and will now include exchange visits as a valid purpose of stay. The updated policy will remain in effect until 31 December 2025.

Since December 2023,  unilateral visa-free entry has also been granted to citizens of Australia, Brunei, Malaysia, New Zealand, South Korea; and Austria, Andorra, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. 

Trial document-free entry channels at Port of Shenzhen Bay and Gongbei

The Exit and Entry Administration of China has decided to upgrade part of the border inspection fast channels in Shenzhen Bay Port in Shenzhen and Gongbei Port in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, on a trial basis.

Specifically, individuals traveling frequently to and from Hong Kong and Macao for private purposes can use "document-free" channels.

Effective 20 November 2024, Chinese mainland residents aged 14 or older with valid Exit-Entry Permits for traveling to and from Hong Kong and Macao, and multiple valid stay, family reunion, business, talent or other type of endorsements for traveling to Hong Kong or Macao, and residents of Hong Kong and Macao (including non-Chinese citizens) with valid Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, can use the "document-free" channels at border inspection areas to enter and exit the Chinese mainland without presenting physical exit-entry documents, provided that they agree to allow the border inspection authorities in charge to collect their facial data, fingerprints and other necessary information for inspection.

Individuals choosing to pass through other inspection channels will still need to present their valid exit-entry documents for border inspection when entering or exiting the Chinese mainland. Chinese mainland residents holding exit-entry documents for public affairs will temporarily not be eligible to take the "document-free" channels and shall take other channels as usual. 

It is important to note that residents of the Chinese mainland are still required to hold exit-entry documents for inspection purposes when entering Hong Kong and Macao, while residents of Hong Kong and Macao are required to go through procedures for stay, residence, transportation and other issues with their exit-entry documents after entering the Chinese mainland. It is therefore required that all individuals hold their valid exit-entry documents when traveling between the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong and Macao, even if they use the “document-free” channels.

Temporary suspension of online work permit system

From 18:00 on 29 November 2024 until 18:00 on 1 December 2024, the work permit application portal will be temporarily suspended during an upgrade to support the integration of the foreigner’s work permit into the social security card.

From 1 December 2024, foreign nationals entering China for work will no longer need to obtain a physical work permit document. Instead, their work permission will be automatically integrated into the Electronic Social Security Card via an app.

11/19/24

China and Solomon Islands sign mutual visa exemption agreement

On 7 November 2024, China and the Solomon Islands signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption. The agreement will take effect once both countries have completed their respective domestic legal procedures.

11/8/24

Visa-free policy extended to further nationalities

On 1 November 2024, China’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that, effective 8 November 2024, China would extend its unilateral visa-free policy to nationals of Andorra, Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Norway, Slovakia and South Korea.

Holders of ordinary passports from these countries will be eligible for a visa exemption policy when traveling to China for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives or transit for up to 15 days. The policy is valid until 31 December 2025.

Earlier in 2024, similar unilateral visa-free entry was granted to citizens of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand; and Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. 

11/4/24

Plan to reduce immigration announced

On 29 October 2024, during a meeting with the President of Finland, China’s President Xi announced that China would include Finland in its unilateral visa-free policy.

Although official details have yet to be published, it is likely that holders of ordinary passports from Finland will be eligible for a visa exemption policy when traveling to China for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives or transit for up to 15 days.

Earlier in 2024, similar unilateral visa-free entry was granted to citizens of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand; and Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland. 

10/7/24

Visa-free travel for nationals of Cyprus, Denmark, Greece, Portugal and Slovenia

The Foreign Ministry has announced that China will implement a visa-free policy for citizens of Denmark, as well as for citizens of Cyprus, Greece, Portugal and Slovenia to further facilitate personnel exchanges between China and those countries.

Effective 15 October 2024 to 31 December 2025, holders of ordinary passports from these European countries will be eligible for a visa exemption policy when traveling to China for purposes such as business, tourism, visiting relatives or transit for up to 15 days.

Earlier in 2024, similar unilateral visa-free deals were given to citizens of Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand; and Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Spain and Switzerland.

9/13/24

Visa-free entry for Norwegian nationals

On 9 September 2024, at a meeting with the Prime Minister of Norway in Beijing, the President of China announced that, effective immediately, Norwegian nationals will no longer require a visa to enter China for up to 15 days.

China has expanded visa-free entry to a number of other countries since 2023, including Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Poland, Singapore and Spain.

8/2/24

New 144-hour visa-free policy for Hong Kong and Macau tourist groups in Hainan provinces

Effective 30 July 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has implemented a new policy allowing foreign tourist groups from Hong Kong and Macao to enter and stay for 144 hours in Hainan province without visas.

From that date, individuals can now visit and stay for up to 144 hours without a visa in Hainan Province for tourism purposes, provided that they will travel to Hainan from Hong Kong or Macao in a tourist group organized by a travel agency that is legally registered in any of the two special administrative regions and consists of at least two persons.

For any foreign national covered by a mutual visa exemption agreement or any other visa exemption policy of China, the relevant provisions shall prevail. The eligible foreign nationals may enter and exit in groups through any of the exit-entry ports set up by the State in Hainan Province, and shall stay within the administrative region of Hainan. The duration of stay for each foreign national is calculated from 0h00 on the day following the day of entry.

7/19/24

Shanghai now issues e-visas

Government media sources have reported that the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Shanghai Public Security Bureau has begun issuing e-visas for tourism, business, talent, work and personal affairs.

An e-visa is valid for a single entry, with an entry validity of 15 days and a period of stay not exceeding 30 days. An e-visa holder can enter China via any of Shanghai's open ports, and can exit via any open port in the country

144-hour transit visa-free policy expanded in Henan and Yunnan provinces

Effective 15 July 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has expanded China’s 144-hour visa-free transit policy.

The policy is now implemented at the Zhengzhou Airport in Henan Province.   In Yunnan Province, the policy is now implemented at Lijiang Sanyi International Airport and Mohan Railway Port, as well as Kunming Changshui International Airport, and expanded to eight more cities in addition to Kunming, namely Lijiang, Yuxi, Pu'er, Chuxiong, Dali, Xishuangbanna, Honghe and Wenshan.

NIA has now implemented the policy at 37 ports of entry in China.

Citizens of 54 countries who hold valid international travel documents and a connecting ticket with a confirmed date and seat within 144 hours of arrival, are eligible to transit to a third country via one of these ports and remain in the corresponding stay area for no more than 144 hours. During the period of stay, travellers can engage in short-term activities such as tourism, business, visit, family visit, etc. Work, study, journalism and other purposes of travel still need to be approved in advance with a pre-arrival visa application.

7/12/24

Mainland Travel Permits now available for foreign permanent residents of Hong Kong and Taiwan

The government has announced that, effective 10 July 2024, foreign permanent residents of Hong Kong and Macao are eligible to apply for Mainland Travel Permits.

First-time applicants must submit the application in person to China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd., two companies authorized by the Exit and Entry Administration of China to offer the relevant services.

If a travel permit has expired or been damaged or lost during its holder's stay in the Chinese mainland, an application for replacement or reissuance can be submitted in person to the exit-entry administration of a public security organ at or above the municipal level (in a region with districts) in mainland China; alternatively, the holder can first apply for an exit permit, leave the Chinese mainland, and apply for the replacement or reissuance at China Travel Service (Holdings) Hong Kong Limited or China Travel Service (Macao) Ltd.

A holder of a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents can enter and exit mainland China multiple times within the five-year validity period of the permit, with each stay period not exceeding 90 days.

According to the regulations, holders of Mainland Travel Permits for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, who have submitted their fingerprints at exit-entry ports and completed other necessary procedures, may use fast lanes to enter and exit mainland China.

Holders are prohibited from working, studying, or participating in activities like news interviews in mainland China. Individuals planning to engage in any of the aforementioned activities must apply for visas or stay/residence permits at the commissioner's offices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China in Hong Kong and Macao SARs, or the exit-entry administrations of the public security organs in the Chinese mainland in accordance with the relevant laws and regulations.

6/28/24

15-day unilateral visa-free policy for Polish citizens

On 24 June 2024, the Chinese premier announced that China has decided to include Poland in its list of unilateral visa-free countries.  This will allow Polish passport holders to enter China without a visa  for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for up to 15 days. China granted a similar visa waiver a week earlier to nationals of Australia and New Zealand. 

6/24/24

Australia and New Zealand added to list of unilateral visa-free countries

The Chinese Premier has announced that that China will include Australia and New Zealand in its list of unilateral visa-free countries. This will allow passport holders of these two countries to enter China without a visa for business, tourism, visiting relatives and friends and transit for up to 15 days.

During Premier Li's recent meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, the two sides agreed to provide each other with reciprocal access to multi-entry visas of up to three to five years' duration for tourism, business and visiting family members.

5/10/24

Extended vias exemption for 12 countries

The spokesperson of the Chinese Foreign Ministry has announced that it has decided to extend the visa-free policy for short-term visits to China for nationals of 12 countries until 31 December 2025.

The policy applies to nationals of Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malaysia, the Netherlands, Spain and Switzerland for stays of up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits and transit.

New measures to facilitate movement between mainland China, Macau and Hong Kong

Effective 6 May 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) has announced the implementation of six new measures and policies to facilitate the movement of citizens and businesspeople.

The measures include:

• New online processing of applications for the renewal and replacement of entry certificates in any of 20 mainland cities;
• Submission anywhere in China of applications for business visit endorsement for mainland residents going to Hong Kong and Macau, regardless of the applicant’s place of household registration or residence;
• Extension of the period of stay in Hong Kong and Macao for holders of business endorsements from 7 days to 14 days;
• Expansion to Beijing and Shanghai of applications for exit endorsement for talents in six categories;
• Visas for over one year for mainland residents who go to Macao to participate in exhibitions, seek medical treatment or engage in performing arts and other activities;
• Facilitation of excursions from the mainland to Macau and Hong Kong.

The talent exit endorsement has been implemented in the mainland cities of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on a pilot basis since 20 February 2023. Under the new measure, apart from the expansion of application to Beijing and Shanghai, other existing arrangements of the talent exit endorsement remain unchanged. The six categories of talents (i.e. outstanding talents, scientific research talents, education talents, healthcare talents, legal talents and other talents) who meet the eligibility criteria can apply to the mainland authorities for a talent exit endorsement with a validity period of five years, three years or one year. They can travel to and from Hong Kong or Macau multiple times within the validity period of the exit endorsement and stay in Hong Kong for a duration not exceeding 30 days during each visit.

3/8/24

Unilateral visa-free policy extended to six more countries

The Chinese government has announced the extension of its unilateral visa-free policy to Austria, Belgium, Hungary, Ireland, Luxembourg and Switzerland. Effective 14 March 2024 to 30 November 2024, nationals of these countries holding ordinary passports will be permitted to enter China for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits or transit.

In November 2023, China introduced a unilateral visa waiver for nationals of France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia.

China also recently signed a mutual visa waiver agreement with Thailand, effective 1 March 2024.

2/9/24

Rules for entry to Hainan Province loosened for some nationalities

On 9 February 2024, the National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced that, effective immediately, nationals of certain countries can enter Hainan Province visa free for up to 30 days for purposes including commercial activities and trade, visit and exchange, and family reunions, receiving medical treatment, attending exhibitions and taking part in sporting events, excluding long-term work and study.

The eligible countries are as follows:

• Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, South Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United States, United Kingdom, Ukraine

Foreign nationals who need to enter Hainan for the aforementioned purposes can enter through any open port in the province and remain in the province's administrative area during their stay period (subject to the relevant provisions of any mutual visa exemption agreement, if applicable).

Each entry period is calculated from 00:00 on the day following the day of entry.

1/5/24

Simplified tourist visa requirements for US nationals

Effective 1 January 2024, tourist visa applicants within the United States will no longer be required to submit proof of a round-trip air ticket booking, proof of a hotel reservation, an itinerary or an invitation letter.

12/15/23

On 8 December 2023, the Ministry of foreign Affairs published a notice on the temporary reduction of visa fees. From 11 December 2023 to 31 December 2024, visa fees will be reduced by 25%.

China’s consulates in the United States, for example, have reduced the fee for US citizens to USD 140 (from USD 185) for single, double and multiple-entry visas.

11/27/23

Visa-free pilot

The foreign ministry has announced a unilateral visa waiver for nationals of France, Germany, Italy, Malaysia, the Netherlands or Spain entering China for up to 15 days for business, tourism, family visits or transit. The visa-free policy is effective 1 December 2023 until 30 November 2024.

Expansion visa-free transit policy

Effective 17 November 2023, China has extended its 72/144-hour transit visa-free policies to visitors from Norway, increasing the number of countries covered by the policies to 54.

The updated list below of eligible countries is as follows:

• Europe: Albania, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and Ukraine;
• The Americas: Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Mexico, and the United States;
• Oceania: Australia and New Zealand;
• Asia: Brunei, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Qatar, Singapore, and the United Arab Emirates.

European Union

The Council of the EU has agreed its negotiating mandate for updating the EU Long-Term Residents Directive.

This directive, from 2003, sets out the conditions under which third-country nationals can acquire EU long-term resident status. In order to acquire EU long-term resident status, third-country nationals have to legally and continuously reside in a member state for at least five years. This EU status exists alongside national long-term resident schemes.

On the basis of this agreed negotiation mandate, the Council can enter into interinstitutional talks with the European Parliament to conclude a final legal text.

Acquiring long-term resident status

The Council has agreed that third-country nationals can cumulate residence periods of up to two years in other member states in order to meet the requirements of the five-year residence period. However, in the event of an applicant having resided in another member state, the Council has decided to accept only certain types of legal residence permits, such as holders of EU Blue Cards or residence permits issued for the purpose of highly qualified employment.

Certain conditions will apply in order for applicants to be able to acquire long-term resident status. For instance, third-country applicants must provide evidence of stable and regular resources that are sufficient to maintain themselves and the members of their family, as well as sickness insurance. Member states may also require third-country nationals to comply with integration conditions.

Long-term resident status is permanent. However, it can be withdrawn in certain cases, for instance when a person has not had their main residence in the EU for a certain period of time.

Intra-EU mobility rights

Unlike national residence systems, EU long-term resident status grants status holders the possibility to move and reside in other EU countries, for instance for work or studies. This right to intra-EU mobility is not automatic but is subject to a number of conditions. Such a condition is that member states may assess the situation of their national labour markets in case an EU long-term resident moves to their country from another EU member state for work.

Equal treatment with EU nationals

EU long-term residents enjoy the same treatment as nationals with regard to access to employment and self-employment, education and vocational training and tax benefits, for example. There are a number of conditions, such as the requirement that holders of a residence permit live within the territory of the member state concerned.

10/27/23

Relaxed visa policy for Macau residents

Effective 25 October 2023, foreign national residents of Macau can apply for multiple-entry visas for mainland China with extended validity.

According to the Commissioner’s Office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Macau SAR:

• Foreign permanent residents of Macao can apply for multiple-entry visas valid for up to five years;
• Foreign non-permanent residents of Macao can apply for multiple-entry visas valid for up to two years;
• Foreign professional employees can apply for multiple-entry visas valid for up to one year.
• Foreign non-professional employees and domestic helpers can apply for multiple-entry visas valid for up to six months.

9/22/23

Simplified visa form

Effective 20 September 2023, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has optimized the visa application form, reducing the amount of information required.

For example, the applicant must now include their travel history from only the last year, rather than five years; and only their highest educational qualifications need to be included.

Expanded online visa services

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has announced that, effective 9 October 2023, new online immigration services will be available.

The new services will include online booking for appointments for individual applications, including for visa reissuance, extension and renewal and for stay and residence permits. Applicants will also be able to check the status of their applications online. They can also make enquiries about requirements and application procedures for visas, permits, Foreign Permanent Resident ID Cards and passports and about exit-entry administration service centres.

New Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has announced that a new version of the Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card will be issued effective 1 December 2023.

The current version of the card will remain valid within its expiration date.

The Foreign Permanent Resident ID Card is a legal identity document issued by NIA to qualifying foreigners whose permanent residence applications have been approved. It can be used as a personal identity document in accommodation registration, paying for train, ship or airline tickets and other occasions that require personal identification, instead of a passport.

2/2/24

Mutual visa exemption agreement

On 28 January 2024, the governments of China and Thailand signed an agreement on mutual visa exemption.

The agreement, which will enter into force on 1 March 2024, allows ordinary passport holders from each country to enter the other country for a stay of up to 30 days for tourism, business or family visit (with a maximum cumulative stay of 90 days in 180 days).

In January 2024, China also announced unilateral visa waivers for nationals of Ireland and Switzerland; and in November 2023, China allowed citizens from France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia to enter the country without a visa for a trial period until November 2024.

10/15/24

Deadline extended for conversion of permanent residence visas

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has extended the deadline for the transfer of the Permanent Residence Visa until 31 October 2026.

Foreign nationals holding a Permanent Residence (“R”) Visa issued before 22 October 2022 must exchange their existing R Visa for a new one in line with the 2022 immigration law.

Users who must carry out the Permanent Resident visa transfer process must:

• Comply with the general visa application requirements;
• Provide a copy of the visa you want to transfer and the corresponding immigration card;
• Provide a certificate of migratory movements issued by the Special Administrative Unit Migration Colombia;
• Provide a document that accredits the activity carried out by the foreigner in the country;
• Provide a letter stating the reason for the transfer.

In the case of those holders of residence visas issued before the year 2000 who declare that they cannot provide the original visa document, the applicant can provide an affidavit during the transfer process in which they justify the reasons why it is not possible to present it. Likewise, they must provide an extended certificate of migratory movements valid for the year in which the visa was issued, and the last immigration card issued during their stay in Colombia.

9/15/23

Longer stays for certain nationalities

Effective 8 September 2023, a new law has increased the maximum stay period for nationals in the 60 countries in “Group One” from 90 days to 180 days.

Group One countries include Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, Singapore, South Africa, United Kingdom, United States, most European countries and several South and Central American countries.

The 30-day stay for nationals of countries in groups two, three and four remains unchanged.

The new law has not changed the 90-day maximum period for using a foreign driving licence in Costa Rica.

April 2025 - Major changes to immigration rules

On 15 March 2025, significant and wide-ranging amendments to the Law on Foreigners took effect. 

The key changes are as follows.

EU Blue Card

•    The EU Blue Card  is now valid for 48 months, up from 24 months previously. If the employment contract is shorter, the card will be issued for the contract duration plus three months, but never exceeding 48 months.  The Blue Card cannot be issued for longer than the validity the holder’s passport.
•    Moreover, EU Blue Card applicants who are employed as directors or specialists in information and communication technologies are now entitled to demonstrate higher professional skills through professional experience, in addition to higher education qualifications.

Temporary residence for returning Croatians

•    Temporary residence can now be granted to third-country nationals who are Croatian emigrants, their family members, descendants, or family members of descendants. 
•    Applicants under this category do not need to provide proof of financial support or health insurance when applying for temporary residence.
•    Those granted temporary residence for diaspora return have the right to employment, self-employment, participation in educational programs and vocational training without needing a work permit or work registration.

Employer Guarantee Requirement for Work Permits

•    Employers must pay a sum equal to one average monthly gross salary, based on the latest official statistical data, into the state budget if the worker fails to start working as specified in the contract or if the contract is terminated within three months, unless due to the worker’s misconduct.
•    To secure the payment, employers must issue a bond to the Ministry of the Interior for the equivalent amount, within five days of receiving the necessary confirmation.
•    The paid amount will be used for the repatriation of third-country nationals who are unlawfully residing in Croatia.
•    Employers or third-country nationals must notify the police within five working days if an employment contract ends or if the conditions for the residence and work permit no longer apply.

Enhanced Conditions for Work Permits Based on Croatian Employment Service Opinion

Additional conditions have been imposed on work permits based on the opinion of the Croatian Employment Service. These conditions include:

•    Employers must ensure that employment contracts for foreign workers meet specific criteria.
•    The employer's business activities over the last six months must align with the regulations.
•    Employers must demonstrate a sufficient number of employees who are citizens of Croatia, or citizens of an EEA member state or the Swiss Confederation.

Ensuring Foreign Workers Are Qualified for Shortage Occupations

Employers must prove that foreign workers have the necessary qualifications for shortage occupations, ensuring they are well-suited for their roles in the Croatian labour market.

•    Foreign workers can change occupations within the same employer if the new job is in a shortage occupation, and the contract lasts until the permit expires.
•    Employers must submit a request to change the occupation within three days of signing the new employment contract, along with required documentation.
•    The Croatian Employment Service will issue an opinion within five days to confirm the worker meets the qualifications for the new occupation.
•    Workers can begin the new job once the positive opinion is received, and their work permit remains valid until it expires.
•    If the opinion is negative, the worker must continue in the original occupation.

Limitation on Work Permit Requests

•    Employers can submit a maximum of 50 applications if they employ up to 50 Croatian/EEA/Swiss workers, or up to 250 applications if they employ between 51-250 such workers.
•    Exceeding the allowed number of applications will result in the Croatian Employment Service not issuing a positive opinion, which is necessary for permit approval.

Easier Job and Employer Transitions for Foreign Workers

•    Foreign workers can change their employer or job role before one year of work or within their work permit validity by submitting an application.
•    If submitted within the allowed unemployment period, the worker can stay in Croatia until a decision is made on the application.
•    Foreign workers can change roles within the same employer if the new job is listed in the relevant decision, without needing to apply for a new work permit.
•    After one year with the same employer, foreign workers can switch employers for the same role with the employer submitting the request.
•    Foreign workers with full-time employment can take on additional work with another employer under specific conditions, including labour market testing and approval from the Croatian Employment Service.

Extended Employer Accommodation Requirements

•    Employers must provide appropriate accommodation for third-country nationals applying for residence and work permits based on labour market opinions from the Croatian Employment Service (HZZ).
•    The accommodation must meet living standards for the entire stay. Employers must notify authorities about any accommodation changes within 8 days.
•    Rent must be reasonable compared to the worker's income and the accommodation's quality. Rent cannot be automatically deducted from the worker’s salary. Employers must provide a rental agreement outlining clear conditions.
•    The accommodation must meet health and safety regulations in Croatia.
•    Interior Minister, with consent from relevant ministers, will set technical requirements for appropriate accommodation, rental payments, and documentation needed to prove compliance.

Stricter Penalties for Violating Foreigners Act Provisions

The Croatian government has also introduced new misdemeanours and tighter penalties in relation to the updated provisions of the Foreigners Act. 

[This information was confirmed by the specialists at Intermark Relocation.]

12/8/23

Changes to citizenships rulesOn 30 November 2023, the parliament passed amendments to the Civil Registry Law designed to encourage highly skilled workers to apply for citizenship in Cyprus.

Highly qualified employees of foreign companies who have level A2 Greek language knowledge can apply for citizenship after residing for five years in Cyprus. Those with level B1 Greek language can apply after four years of residence. Periods of absence of up to 90 days per year are not deducted from the total period of stay.

The spouse or civil partner of the main applicant can also apply for citizenship under the same conditions.

These applications will be examined under a fast-track procedure within eight months for an additional fee.

Further guidance and implementing regulations are expected to be provided by the government.

6/17/24

Free access to the labour market for certain nationalities

On 1 July 2024, a government regulation will enter into force, introducing free entry to the Czech labour market for citizens of the following nine countries: Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, United Kingdom, United States.

Citizens of these countries who wish to be employed in Czechia are no longer required to obtain a work permit, but only a residence permit. Employers of citizens of selected countries are no longer required to notify the Labour Office of vacancies for the purpose of including vacancies in the central register of vacancies.

Those planning to work in Czechia for up to three months must obtain a Schengen visa for employment purposes. Visa-free entry does not permit work. If the work period is extended beyond three months, the visa holder must exit Czechia and apply for a long-term residence permit at a Czech embassy abroad.

Those planning to work in Czechia for more than three months must apply for a so-called non-dual employee card at any Czech embassy. This type of employment card can be issued for a job that the employer has not reported to the Labour Office and is not included in the central register of vacant jobs that can be filled by holders of the employment card. The cardholder is then entitled to change jobs freely (and additionally notify the Ministry of the Interior of the change within three days).

A highly qualified foreign national can apply for a blue card, which includes benefits for the purposes of mobility within the EU, family reunification or social security. However, this card can only be issued for a vacancy announced to the Labour Office and included in the relevant central records, and the rules for its issuance therefore do not change for citizens of the selected countries with free access to the labour market.

A citizen of an eligible country who is to be temporarily transferred to Czechia as a manager, specialist or graduate-intern within the framework of a multinational business corporation for a period longer than three months should apply for an intra-company transfer employee card.

Free access to the labour market, without a work permit, will also apply to eligible foreign nationals who are sent by their foreign employer to a Czech client to perform work on the basis of a contract. The same approach will be applied in the case of eligible foreign nationals who have so far been able to enter the Czech labour market within the framework of closed memoranda and work leave programs, but who nevertheless had to apply for a work permit for this purpose.

9/22/23

Updated medical insurance requirements

Effective 20 September 2023, foreign national applicants for a long-term visa or stay are permitted to arrange comprehensive travel and medical insurance with any insurance provider authorised in Czechia. Previously, insurance could only be obtained from Pojišťovna VZP.

Moreover, the contracted limit for one insured accident must now be at least EUR 400,000, rather than EUR 60,000 as previously.

April 2025 - New supplier for residence cards, visa stickers and laissez-passer

From 1 April 2025, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and the Immigration Service will use a new supplier of residence cards and visa stickers and for the distribution of laissez-passer. The residence cards, visa stickers and laissez-passer that have been issued before 1 April 2025 will continue to be valid during the period of time that is stated on the documents.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI), the Immigration Service and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have entered into an agreement with exceet Card Group who will take over as the new supplier of residence cards, visa stickers and the distribution of laissez-passer. The new residence cards have an updated design with improved safety features while the sizes of the cards remain the same.

Residence cards, visa stickers or a laissez-passers that have been issued before 1 April 2025 will continue to be valid until expiry, or until the required conditions are no longer met. Card holders must continue to carry their residence card with them at all times during their stay in Denmark, as proof of their right to residence.

The transition from the old supplier to the new supplier will not affect the processing time of any cases, nor the production time of the documents.

March 2025 - New system for digital applications

The Danish Immigration Service and the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) have announced that they are moving all digital application forms and invitation forms to a new IT system on newtodenmark.dk. Users can still complete their digital application or invitation in the old system.

The switch to the new system on newtodenmark.dk will take place gradually over the next three to four months. The authorities will move the digital application forms and invitation forms one by one.

When an applicant starts a new application or visa invitation, they should follow the instructions on the relevant application page on newtodenmark.dk. 

Those who have already started filling out an application or visa invitation in the old system, can continue to fill out and submit the application or invitation in the old system for a period of time, following the instructions on the relevant application page on newtodenmark.dk and in the digital form.

The digital forms look different in the new system and they will work in a slightly different way. In the new system, applicants can log in and view their submitted digital application or visa invitation for up to 30 days after it has been submitted.

Another change is that for the two-part applications, employers or agents only need to provide the applicant's email address to give them access to part two, and will thus no longer need to send the reference number and password to the applicant.

March 2025 - Authorities publish updated income statistics applicable from 1 April 2025.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics made by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to decide if an offered job is within the Danish standards for salary. This applies to the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive List and the Fast Track Scheme, among other routes.  

The new income statistics contain information from the fourth quarter of 2024 and will take effect for applications submitted from 1 April 2025. It is expected that the income statistics will be updated each quarter and that the next update will take effect from 1 July 2025. 

SIRI will usually assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards, and will not make further assessment, if it is stated in the application form and employment contract that:

• The employer is covered by a collective agreement.

SIRI will assess whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards when the employer is a member of an employers' organisation, but the employment relationship is not covered by a collective agreement. If the salary is just above the regular pay limit, SIRI will generally assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards.

In cases where the employment relationship is not covered by a collective agreement and the employer is not a member of an employers' organisation, SIRI will assess whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards up to approximately DKK 71,000, using the income statistics from the DA as a guideline.

Feb 2025 - New Working Holiday quota period for citizens of Chile and Argentina

On 1 March 2025, a new quota period for Working Holiday residence permits for citizens of Chile and Argentina begins. Working Holiday for citizens of Chile and Argentina is covered by a quota of 150 residence permits annually.

A quota year runs from March of a given year to February of the following year.

From March to August (the first quota period) SIRI can grant residence permits corresponding to half of the annual quota (up to 75), and from September to February (the second quota period) SIRI can grant a maximum of the remaining part of the quota (up to 150). Permits will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Once the quota of 75 Working Holiday residence permits for both Chilean and Argentinian citizens has been used up, no more residence permits can be granted until 1 September 2025, when the next quota period begins.

Once 75 Working Holiday residence permits have been issued to both Chilean and Argentinian citizens, any remaining applications will be rejected and the processing fee to SIRI will be refunded. Applicants should be aware that any fee paid to VFS or the representation in Chile will not be refunded if the application is rejected.

As the quota period this year opens on Saturday 1 March 2025, applicants should be aware that VFS Santiago, Chile opens for appointments via their online booking system Monday 3 March 20259 AM (UTC -4). VFS Buenos Aires, Argentina opens for appointments via their online booking system on Wednesday 5 March 202 at 9 AM (UTC -3), as 3 and 4 March 2025 are public holidays.

Fees charged for residence cards under EU Association Agreement with Turkey can be refunded

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and the Danish Immigration Service have notified interested parties that they have adjusted their practice so that no fee is charged for issuing replacement residence cards to economically active Turkish nationals covered by the Association Agreement framework and their family members.

This follows the decision of the Ministry of Immigration and Integration, communicated to these agencies on 4 April 2024, that fees cannot be charged for issuing replacement residence cards to economically active Turkish nationals covered by the EU Association Agreement with Türkiye and their family members, as this is considered to be contrary to Denmark’s obligations under EU law.

In cases where a fee has been paid for issuing a replacement residence card before the adjusted practice took effect, the applicant may be entitled to a refund. This applies to cases where the fee was charged between 4 April 2021 and 4 April 2024. Cases before 4 April 2021 are not eligible for a refund due to the limitation period.

Those who may be entitled to a refund of a fee paid for a replacement residence card can submit a request to have the case reopened by the Danish Immigration Service or SIRI.

Applications processed by the Danish Immigration Service

If the application for a replacement residence card case was processed by the Danish Immigration Service, those who wish to request a reopening of their case must submit the following information:

• The personal ID;
• The case number from your original application;
• Documentation proving that they were economically active at the time of applying for the replacement residence card, such as for example payslips.

Applications processed by SIRI

If the application for a replacement residence card was processed by SIRI, those who wish to request a reopening of their case must submit the following information:

• The personal ID;
• The case number from your original application.

Those who do not hold a residence permit based on a work scheme or as an accompanying family member under a work scheme must provide documentation proving that they were economically active at the time of applying for the replacement residence card. To expedite case processing, they may submit such documentation, for example in the form of payslips.

New wage statistics for the Positive List for skilled work

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has published updated wage statistics that apply to the Positive List for skilled work from 20 February 2025.

When SIRI assesses applications on the Positive List for skilled work, it uses special wage statistics compiled by Statistics Denmark to assess whether an offered wage corresponds to Danish standards.

This means that all applications on the Positive List for skilled work submitted on or after 20 February 2025 will be assessed based on the new wage statistics. 

Applications submitted before 20 February 2025 will be assessed according to the previous wage statistics.

1/10/25

New rates for au pairs

New rates for monthly allowance and for the amount to help finance Danish language classes, came into effect on 1 January 2025

The new rate for the monthly allowance (pocket money) is DKK 5000, and the new rate for the amount that helps finance Danish language classes is DKK 20,000.

The new rates apply to au pair applications that are submitted 1 January 2025 and onwards. The application’s submission date determines what rate applies to your application. The submission date is the date when the application has been:

• received at a diplomatic mission or at a visa application centre
• received at one of SIRI’s branch offices
• received by SIRI as physical mail or via SIRI’s contact form
• submitted by using the online application form AU1.

This means that the submission date is not dependent on when the applicant begins to fill out the application form or when the application is signed by the applicant. For instance, if the application process begins in December 2024, but the application itself is not submitted until January 2025, it is the rates for 2025 that apply to the application. 

The rates will be updated on the application page on 1 January 2025.

1/3/25

Positive Lists updated

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has updated the Positive Lists for people with a higher education and for skilled work. The new lists are applicable from 1 January 20254. 

The Positive Lists are lists of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. Those offered a job included in the Positive List can apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark based on the scheme.

The new Positive List for People with a Higher Education includes 162 job titles, while the Positive List for Skilled Work includes 48.

In the current update, more positions have been added to the Positive List for People with a Higher Education. This is partly due to slightly more positions where there is a labour shortage, and partly because the positions on the list with effect from 1 April 2023 are on the list for at least 2 years at a time.

The Positive List for Skilled Work has fewer positions as fewer positions where there is a labour shortage have been registered.

New residence permit fees

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has reduced its fees for processing applications for residence permits.

The new fees are as follows. The amounts are in Danish kroner (DKK).

Foreign nationals applying for a residence permit on the basis of work or studies etc. must generally pay a fee for submitting the application. The fee amounts are generally set once a year based on the tasks associated with the case processing.

12/27/24

Authorities publish updated income statistics applicable from 1 January 2025.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics made by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to decide if an offered job is within the Danish standards for salary. This applies to the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive List and the Fast Track Scheme, among other routes.  

The new income statistics contain information from the third quarter of 2024 and will take effect for applications submitted from 1 January 2025. It is expected that the income statistics will be updated each quarter and that the next update will take effect from 1 January 2025. 

SIRI will usually assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards, and will not make further assessment, if it is stated in the application form and employment contract that:

• The employer is covered by a collective agreement.

SIRI will assess whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards when the employer is a member of an employers' organisation, but the employment relationship is not covered by a collective agreement. If the salary is just above the regular pay limit, SIRI will generally assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards.

In cases where the employment relationship is not covered by a collective agreement and the employer is not a member of an employers' organisation, SIRI will assess whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards up to approximately DKK 71,000, using the income statistics from the DA as a guideline.

12/9/24

Extension of residence permit under the Ukraine-Special Act

On 26 November 2024, the Danish Parliament decided that residence permits granted under the Act on Temporary Residence Permits for persons displaced from Ukraine can be extended until 17 March 2026.

The new rules for extending residence permits under the Act on Temporary Residence Permits for Persons Displaced from Ukraine (hereinafter the Special Act) will come into effect on 1 December 2024. Those who have a residence permit under the Special Act can have their residence permit in Denmark extended until 17 March 2026, if they continue to meet the conditions.

The Immigration Service will automatically assess whether a residence permit under the Special Act can be extended. If the holder still complies with the requirements laid down in the current residence permit, the immigration service will automatically extend the residence permit.

When the Immigration Service has processed the case, and the residence permit has been extended, the holder will receive a new residence card by mail, without the need for biometric registration.

The Immigration Service will process a case as soon as possible and aims to have it processed before the current residence permit under the Special Act expires. The processing of most cases is expected to be completed before 17 March 2025. If a case is not processed before this date, the holder is still entitled to stay in Denmark with the same rights.

10/7/24

Updated procedure for assessing salary offers

On 27 September 2024, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) published an updated version of the practice note that is used to assess whether an offered salary in certain work cases corresponds to Danish standards.

In March 2022, SIRI published a note concerning SIRI’s practices concerning the assessment of Danish standards for salary. Since then, the note has been the basis for SIRI’s assessment of questions concerning the Danish standards for salary, in terms of certain work schemes.

The practice note has been updated, among other things, because the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme and the Fast-track Scheme’s supplementary pay limit track have been added to the work schemes since the last practice note.

The updated version of the practice note covers cases under the Pay Limit Scheme as well as the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme, the five tracks of the Fast-track Scheme, the Researcher Scheme, the Positive List for People with a Higher Education and Work permits for accompanying family members.

As the practice note states, SIRI will generally not assess whether an offered salary corresponds to Danish standards within cases where the employment is covered by a collective agreement. Within the cases where the employer is a member of an Employer's organisation, SIRI will assess whether an offered salary corresponds to Danish standards up until the level just above the regular pay limit. Within additional cases, SIRI will generally always assess whether an offered salary corresponds to Danish standards. 

In cases where SIRI assesses whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards, they will also assess whether the other material terms of employment corresponds to Danish standards.

The practice note applies from 27 September 2024, and also applies to the processing of applications already submitted. 

For the work schemes that are not covered by the practice note, the assessment of whether an offered salary corresponds to Danish standards can be found on newtodenmark.com under the individual schemes.

9/20/24

Authorities publish updated income statistics applicable from 1 October 2024.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics made by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to decide if an offered job is within the Danish standards for salary. This applies to the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive List and the Fast Track Scheme, among other routes.  

The new income statistics contain information from the second quarter of 2024 and will take effect for applications submitted from 1 October 2024. It is expected that the income statistics will be updated each quarter and that the next update will take effect from 1 January 2025. 

SIRI will usually assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards, and will not make further assessment, if it is stated in the application form and employment contract that:

• The employer is covered by a collective agreement though a membership of an employers’ association. 
• The employment is covered by a collective agreement in the relevant sector.
• The salary is at least DKK 71,020.83 per month (2024 level). 

If the above-mentioned terms are not documented in the employment contract, SIRI will assess whether the salary offered corresponds to Danish standards, using the income statistics from the DA as a guideline.

Applications for a residence and work permit after 30 September 2024 will be evaluated according to the income statistics for the second quarter of 2024. 

Applications between 1 July 2024 and 30 September 2024 will be evaluated according to the income statistics from the first quarter of 2024. r

9/13/24

Changes to interpretation of work permit rules for professional athletes and coaches

Effective 1 September 2024, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) now assesses differently the work permit exemption for professional athletes, coaches and associated personnel.

According to section 24(2)(8) of the Executive Order on Aliens’ Access to Denmark, professional athletes and coaches, and associated personnel, may be exempt from the work permit requirement for a period of 90 days from the date of entry for the practice and training of sports, including test training.

In practice, 'associated personnel' includes personnel accompanying athletes and coaches during their stay in Denmark, e.g. a masseur, a team leader, a chef, etc. 

In the assessment of ‘associated personnel’, SIRI will now take into account the special needs of the individual sporting event to a greater extent. SIRI will in the future expand the interpretation of “associated personnel” so that personnel who perform tasks at a specialized level of knowledge to support the sporting event as a whole will also be exempt from the work permit requirement. 

With this change, new types of sporting events, such as e-sports events, are taken into account, so that these can be carried out on the same terms as other sporting events in Denmark.

9/9/24

Faroe Islands take over responsibility for processing residence permit cases

On 1 September 2024, the Faroese authorities (Útlendingastovan) will take over responsibility for processing residence permit cases in the Faroe Islands from the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) and the Danish Immigration Service.

The change means that all applications for residence permits in the Faroe Islands submitted from 1 September 2024 will be processed by Útlendingastovan in the Faroe Islands.  This applies to first-time applications, applications for extension of current residence permits and applications for permanent residence permit. Finally, it also applies to re-entry permits.

However, applications for residence permits in the Faroe Islands under the Ukraine Special Act are exempt and will continue to be processed by the Danish Immigration Service after 1 September 2024. 

Those who have submitted an application to SIRI or the Danish Immigration Service before 1 September 2024 for a residence permit in the Faroe Islands, and who have questions about a pending case or additional information, must contact SIRI or the Danish Immigration Service.

Those who have submitted an application from 1 September 2024 for a residence permit in the Faroe Islands, must contact Útlendingastovan if they have questions or for additional information about their application.

8/26/24

Working holiday quotas for citizens of Argentina and Chile

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that, on 1 September 2024, a new Working Holiday quota period begins for citizens of Chile and Argentina. VFS Buenos Aires, Argentina and VFS Santiago, Chile open for appointments on 2 September 2024 at 9:00am local time (UTC -4).

Citizens of Chile and Argentina have an annual quota of 150 Working Holiday residence permits. The quota year runs from March of a given year up to and including February of the following year.

From March up to and including August (first quota period), SIRI can issue residence permits corresponding to half of the annual quota (up to 75), and from September up to and including February (second quota period), SIRI can issue the remaining part of the quota (up to 150).

The allocation of permits takes place on a first-come, first-served basis. When the quota (up to 150 residence permits) under the Working Holiday scheme for both Chilean and Argentine citizens has been used, no more residence permits will be issued until 1 March 2025, when the next quota year begins.

As the second quota period this year opens on 1 September, applicants should be aware that it will not be possible to book an appointment at VFS in Buenos Aires, Argentina and VFS Santiago, Chile via their online booking systems until 2 September at 9:00am local time (UTC -4).

Adjustment of practice regarding salary declaration in foreign currency

From 1 September 2024, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) will adjust the practice for salary declaration in foreign currency in the area of work.

In order to be granted a residence and work permit for the purpose of salaried work, it is a requirement that the salary and terms of employment correspond to Danish standards for the work in question in Denmark. This requirement applies to both first-time and extension applications

The assessment of whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards will be made in Danish kroner (DKK) which means that it is necessary that the salary be stated in Danish kroner.

If the salary is stated in a foreign currency in the employment contract, there must be an addendum to the contract stating the salary in Danish kroner (DKK).

The adjustment of practice applies to all applications for a residence and work permit in the area of work received as of 1 September 2024.

For applications for an extension of a residence and work permit where the original permit was granted before 1 September 2024, salary stated in a foreign currency will be accepted. The foreign currency will be converted into Danish kroner (DKK), and a decision regarding the application for extension is based on the exchange rate.

Danmarks Nationalbank (the central bank of Denmark) is the primary source for converting exchange rates for this purpose.

7/5/24

New rules for family reunification of spouses come into effect

On 1 July 2024, new rules for family reunification of spouses came into effect. The rules also apply to certain applications submitted before the rules came into effect. 

Among other changes, there is now a requirement that the spouse in Denmark needs to have passed Prøve i Dansk 3 or another Danish language test at the same or higher level, in order for the couple collectively to meet the integration requirement. This requirement can now also be met by the spouse in Denmark by documenting having been in ordinary full-time employment for five years, which has significantly involved communication in Danish.

By ‘significantly involved in communication in Danish’ we mean that spouse in Denmark on a daily basis and as a significant part of a work day has had frequent written or oral contact in Danish with Danish speaking persons. The communication can have been with colleagues, citizens, customers, patients or other persons.

In addition, the financial guarantee requirement, which must be met in some cases in order to qualify for family reunification of spouses, has been reduced from approx. DKK 114,000 to DKK 57,000.

When the proposal was presented to the Danish Parliament on 11 April 2024, the Immigration Service gave the spouse in Denmark in relevant cases the opportunity to indicate whether the couple wanted the further processing of the case to await the expected entry into force of the new rules. The processing of these cases will now be finished.

Applicants, whose application for family reunification of spouses has been refused before the proposal was presented on 11 April 2024, because they did not meet the current financial guarantee requirement or the current language requirement, now have the opportunity to submit a new application for family reunification of spouses.

The bill also includes a change in the rules regarding permanent residence and the transferred permanent residence permit requirements in cases regarding family reunification of spouses.

Change in foreign students’ right to work part-time

On 1 July 2024, the Executive Order on the issue of residence and work permits for students was amended and new rules regarding foreign students' right to work part-time came into effect.

Among other things, this change means that all students who will be granted, or who already have been granted, a part-time work permit, now have the right to work 90 hours per month and work full-time in June, July and August, starting from July 1 2024.

New rules under the Authorisation Scheme – right to work

On 1 July 2024, the Danish Aliens Act was amended, to allow foreign nationals with a residence permit under the Authorisation Scheme to work without requiring a work permit requirement.

Those who have been trained as a medical doctor, dentist or nurse in a country outside the EU/EEA, can apply for a residence permit in Denmark which allow them to learn Danish and pass the professional tests which are necessary in order to obtain a Danish authorisation.

All foreign nationals who are granted a residence permit under the Authorisation Scheme or who already have a valid residence permit under the Authorisation Scheme can now start work without applying for a separate work permit.

At the same time, several other changes came into effect, including a new authorisation scheme for specifically requested healthcare professionals. It is also possible to extend the authorisation permit in certain cases if the applicant is in the process of or has been offered a job for adaption and training purposes.

Updated Positive Lists

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has updated the Positive Lists for people with a higher education and for skilled work. The new lists are applicable from 1 July 2024. 

The Positive Lists are lists of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. Those offered a job included in the Positive List can apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark based on the scheme.

The new Positive List for People with a Higher Education includes 141 job titles, while the Positive List for Skilled Work includes 61.

It is also possible to apply for a residence and work permit as a social and healthcare worker under the Positive List for Skilled Work.

6/24/24

Authorities publish updated income statistics applicable from 1 July 2024.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics made by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to decide if an offered job is within the Danish standards for salary. This applies to the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive List and the Fast Track Scheme, among other routes.

The new income statistics contain information from the first quarter of 2024 and will take effect for applications submitted from 1 July 2024. It is expected that the income statistics will be updated each quarter and that the next update will take effect from 1 October 2024. 

SIRI will usually assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards, and will not make further assessment, if it is stated in the application form and employment contract that:

• The employer is covered by a collective agreement though a membership of an employers’ association.
• The employment is covered by a collective agreement in the relevant sector.
• The salary is at least DKK 71,020.83 per month (2024 level). 

If the above-mentioned terms are not documented in the employment contract, SIRI will assess whether the salary offered corresponds to Danish standards, using the income statistics from the DA as a guideline.

Applications for a residence and work permit after 30 June 2024 will be evaluated according to the income statistics for the first quarter of 2024. 

Applications between 1 April 2024 and 30 June 2024 will be evaluated according to the income statistics from the fourth quarter of 2023. 

6/17/24

Bill on increased flexibility for work schemes

On 4 June 2024, the Danish Parliament (Folketinget) passed a bill that amends the rules in the Immigration Act concerning Danish bank account requirements, residence based on the Fast-Track scheme's short-term track as well as an amendment to the job change rule. The purpose of the bill is to make it simpler for companies in Denmark to use the work schemes and to support companies in the effective recruitment of foreign labour and to ensure a higher degree of flexibility for foreign workers who apply for a residence permit in Denmark based on one of the work schemes.

The changes will come into effect on 1 July 2024.

Extension of stay

The bill will make it possible for foreign workers to apply for an extension of their stay based on the Fast-Track scheme's short-term track without having to appear in one of SIRI's departments. This means that the foreign worker will be able to continue their work as soon as the application for an extension is submitted and the fee is paid. The application for an extension must be submitted before the original residence and work permit expires, and it is still a requirement that the work stay does not exceed 90 days in Denmark within the last 365 days.

Job change rule

In addition, the job change rule will be extended to also include foreign nationals who wish to change their residence and work scheme (their grounds for residence) during ongoing employment without changing their job or employer. The new rules mean that the foreign national can continue to work without interruption once the new application for a residence and work permit has been submitted. 

Danish bank account rules

Finally, foreign nationals with a residence and work permit based on the researcher scheme or the Fast-Track scheme's pay limit track, researcher track, education track and short-term track will now be exempt from the requirement that their salary must be paid to a Danish bank account. In addition, the deadline for setting up a Danish bank account will be extended from 90 days to 180 days for the work schemes that are still obliged to fulfil the requirement. 

New residence permit scheme for accompanying family members of expatriate Danish citizens

Effective 1 July 2024, accompanying family members of returning expatriate Danish citizens with certain job-related qualifications may be granted a residence permit in Denmark.

This means that Danish citizens that are established abroad and wish to return to Denmark in order to work can bring their foreign family members.

The expatriate Danish citizen must be established abroad and must have entered into an employment agreement or received an offer for a job position in Denmark which, if the Danish citizen had been a foreign national, could result in a residence permit under one of the following work schemes:

• The Positive Lists
• The Pay Limit Schemes
• Researcher
• Special individual qualifications
• Herdsmen and farm managers
• The Fast Track Scheme's pay limit track, supplementary pay limit track, researcher track, and educational track

The expatriate Danish citizen may also have an innovative business plan with the intention of running or continuing to run a self-employment business or running a business through a Danish branch of a foreign self-employment business in Denmark, which could result in a residence permit under the Start-up Denmark scheme.

6/7/24

Upcoming amendments to rules for residence permits in healthcare sector

On 4 June 2024, the Danish parliament passed a bill based on recommendations from the task force on foreign labour in the healthcare sector. The changes, which come into effect on 1 July 2024, are explained by the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) as follows:

The Positive List for Skilled Work is extended to also include social and healthcare workers. This means that if, as of 1 July 2024, there is a shortage of social and healthcare workers, it will also be possible to grant social and healthcare workers a residence and work permit according to the Positive List for Skilled Work. A quota of 1000 residence and work permits is set on the basis of employment as a social and healthcare worker.

At the same time, a new system comes into effect in the area of authorisation, where specifically requested healthcare professionals can obtain a residence permit for the purpose of obtaining Danish authorisation. In order to be covered by the scheme, the Patient Safety Authority must have assessed that the applicant is covered by a new separate authorisation process for specifically requested healthcare professionals.   

Those with a residence permit on the authorisation scheme are exempt from work permits from 1 July 2024. They will therefore no longer have to apply for a separate work permit if they wish to work in Denmark during their authorised stay. The rules also apply to people with an already valid residence permit according to the authorisation scheme, even if this does not appear on the residence permit. SIRI will separately inform the people who already have a residence permit under the authorisation scheme and who will obtain new rights from 1 July 2024. 

In the future, up to six months' stay for job hunting will also be granted in extension of the authorisation stay, which can be used to look for a job in Denmark after the authorisation process has ended. Holders of a residence permit under the authorisation scheme must submit an application for a job search residence themselves. Finally, the job change rule will be extended to also apply to those who have a residence permit under the authorisation scheme.

New executive order on aliens’ access to Denmark came into effect on 1 June 2024

On 1 June 2024, a new executive order on aliens' access to Denmark took effect. It contains a new work permit exemption for models and a change in the duration of residence permits for accompanying family based on the work schemes.

New rule of exemption

The new rule of exemption means that foreign nationals (third-country citizens) who are going to work as professional models in Denmark can work for short periods of time without a work permit.

The foreign national must work with companies while they hold significant and international fashion shows or fashion fairs.

Under the new rules, it is possible to work in Denmark for up to three separate work periods of up to a total of three days within a period of 180 days.

Furthermore, to qualify for the new exemption rule, the foreign national must be able to legally enter and reside in Denmark, either because they are a resident of a visa-free country or because they have been issued a visa.

Duration of residence permit for accompanying family

On all work-based immigration routes, it is now possible for accompanying family members to be granted a residence permit for the same period as the family member who is working in Denmark (the sponsor).

This has particular significance for accompanying family members of foreign nationals with a residence and work permit under the Supplementary Pay Limit Scheme and the Fast-Track Scheme’s supplementary pay limit track where it is possible for a foreigner to obtain a residence permit for up to five years. previously, it was only possible for accompanying family to obtain a residence permit for up to four years.

New residence scheme based on educational attachment

On 1 July 2024, a new scheme will come into effect for foreign nationals who lose or have previously lost their grounds for residence in Denmark.

On 4 June 2024, the Danish Parliament passed a law proposal on a residence scheme based on educational attachment.

The scheme allows certain foreign nationals who lose their grounds for residence and who are enrolled in or undergoing education in an area where there is a labour shortage to continue staying and studying in Denmark. 

The scheme also means that certain foreign nationals who have lost or will lose their grounds for residence before the law enters into force on 1 July 2024 will, under certain conditions, be able to continue staying in Denmark if, when they lost their grounds for residence, they were enrolled in or undergoing education in an area where there is a labour shortage. Among other things, it will be a condition for obtaining a residence permit that the foreign national's original residence permit was refused extension or revoked, or their right of residence under EU rules was found to be expired, in the period from 1 July 2020 to 30 June 2024.

At the same time, a change of education scheme will be introduced for foreign nationals who are granted a residence permit under the educational attachment scheme, but who wish to change to another education in an area where there is a labour shortage. 

A foreign national who is granted a residence permit under the educational attachment scheme or for the purpose of changing education will also be granted a residence permit for a maximum of six months in order to seek employment in Denmark after completing the educational programme.

5/31/24

New rules for permanent residence permit and family reunification

From 1 July 2024, new rules regarding permanent residence permit and family reunification of spouses will become effective.

The Danish parliament passed the bill regarding permanent residence permit and family reunification on 30 May 2024. The requirement that applicants may not have been convicted of certain crimes is tightened, so that also a charge or indictment of certain crimes in the future will prevent applicants from obtaining a permanent residence. The same applies to the transferred requirements for permanent residence, which must be met, on application for family reunification of spouses if the spouse in Denmark is a foreign national but not a refugee.

The new rule applies to applications for permanent residence permit and certain applications for family reunification of spouses submitted from and including 11 April 2024.

5/6/24

Update on proposal to change the rules regarding family reunification of spouses

On 11 April 2024, the Ministry for Immigration and Integration presented a proposal to the Danish Parliament to change the rules regarding family reunification of spouses.

If the proposal is passed, the requirement that the spouse in Denmark needs to have passed Prøve i Dansk 3 or another Danish test at the same or higher level, in order for the couple collectively to meet the integration requirement, can also be met by the spouse in Denmark by documenting having been in ordinary full-time employment for five years, which has significantly involved communication in Danish.

In addition, the financial guarantee requirement that must be met in order to qualify for family reunification of spouses will be reduced from approx. DKK 114,000 to DKK 57,000

If the proposal is passed, the new rules will come into force on 1 July 2024. However, it will also be possible to have an application submitted before this time, processed under the new rules when they come into force. It could be, for example, if the spouse in Denmark wants the further processing of the case to await the reduction of the financial guarantee to DKK 57,000, or if the spouse in Denmark has been in ordinary full-time employment for five years, which has significantly involved communication in Danish, and where the person in question does not have documentation of having passed Test in Danish 3 or an equivalent or higher Danish test. In these cases, the Danish Immigration Service will give the spouse in Denmark the opportunity to indicate whether the couple wants the further processing of the case to await the expected entry into force of the new rules.

During the consideration of the proposal in the Danish Parliament and until the expected entry into force on 1 July 2024, the Danish Immigration Service will not make a decision in cases where the proposed reduction of the financial guarantee and the proposed adjustment of the language requirement are of decisive importance to the case. The processing of these cases will continue after the expected entry into force and will be processed according to the new rules.

Applicants whose application for family reunification of spouses has been refused before the proposal was presented on 11 April 2024, because they did not meet the current financial guarantee requirement or the current language requirement, have the opportunity to submit a new application for family reunification of spouses after the proposal’s expected entry into force.

4/16/24

New South Wales eases nomination criteria for Skilled Worker Regional visa (subclass 491)

The New South Wales (NSW) government has updated the nomination criteria for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1, effective 3 April 2024.

There are two pathways to NSW nomination for this visa: 

• Pathway 1 – Applying directly to Investment NSW for those who have an established work history with a regional NSW-based employer.
• Pathway 2 – Being invited to apply by Investment NSW.

Previously, applicants for Pathway 1 were required to have been living and working in a designated regional area of NSW for at least 12 months with a single regional NSW-based employer, among other requirements. Based on industry feedback, NSW government is now reducing this employment duration requirement to six months.

This change means that more skilled workers will be eligible to apply for the Skilled Work Regional visa (subclass 491) under Pathway 1, opening up opportunities for those who have been contributing to the regional economy and communities for six months.

The following Pathway 1 criteria remain unchanged:

• Employment must be with a single regional NSW-based employer working from an established business premises in regional NSW.
•  The role must be in the applicant’s nominated (or closely related) occupation.
•  The occupation must be deemed skilled by NSW.
•  Applicants must be paid a minimum of the TSMIT salary level of $70,000 (prorated if under 38 hours per week) from their qualifying employer in the nominated (or closely related) occupation in the 6 months immediately before applying.

Further criteria must be met for all NSW nominations (pathway 1 or 2):

• Applicants must meet all visa requirements outlined by Home Affairs for this visa.
• Applicants must have a valid skills assessment in an occupation on the eligible skilled occupation list for this visa.
• Applicants must be either currently residing: 
  • in NSW and have continuously resided in NSW for a minimum period of three months; or 
  • offshore and have continuously resided offshore for a minimum period of three months.

NSW government also provided the following important reminders:

• Skilled employment must occur after NSW deems the applicant skilled in their occupation and must appear in their SkillSelect Expression of Interest (EOI).
• Applicants must lodge their visa application onshore and must not have a current visa application being decided by Home Affairs for a permanent visa.

3/29/24

Adjustment and clarification of practice regarding foreign interns in the hotel and restaurant industry

From 1 April 2024, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) adjusts the practice on how to assess salary conditions for foreign interns in the hotel and restaurant industry, and the current practice for assessment of the professional connection is clarified.

Adjustment of practice

The adjustment of practice means that, when SIRI assesses whether salary conditions meet the Danish standards in the industry, the foreign interns will be divided into two categories; interns in education and graduates.

For interns still in education, SIRI will, as a starting point, assess that the salary offered is normal if it corresponds at least to the first salary level (during the first 12 months of internship, then the second salary level) in the current Student Agreement (Elevoverenskomst) between HORESTA and 3F.

When assessing whether the salary offered graduate interns meets the Danish standards, SIRI will be using the salary levels for unskilled workers in the current Restaurant Agreement (Restaurationsoverenskomst) or Hotel Agreement (Hoteloverenskomst) between HORESTA and 3F.

The adjustment of practice applies to all applications received from and including 1 April 2024.

Clarification of practice

In addition, SIRI also makes a clarification of practice regarding the assessment of the professional connection between internships and the educational programmes of foreign interns.

In those cases where an educational programme does not in itself support a professional connection to the internship, the applicant must have passed a sufficient number of subjects relevant to the internship, so that the subjects make up one semester's worth of credits.

3/22/24

Authorities publish updated income statistics applicable from 1 April 2024.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics made by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to decide if an offered job is within the Danish standards for salary. This applies to the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive List and the Fast Track Scheme, among other routes.

The new income statistics contain information from the fourth quarter of 2023 and will take effect for applications submitted from 1 April 2024. It is expected that the income statistics will be updated each quarter and that the next update will take effect from 1 July 2024. 

SIRI will usually assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards, and will not make further assessment, if it is stated in the application form and employment contract that:

• The employer is covered by a collective agreement though a membership of an employers’ association.
• The employment is covered by a collective agreement in the relevant sector.
• The salary is at least DKK 71,020.83 per month (2024 level). 

If the above-mentioned terms are not documented in the employment contract, SIRI will assess whether the salary offered corresponds to Danish standards, using the income statistics from the DA as a guideline.

Applications for a residence and work permit after 31 March 2024 will be evaluated according to the income statistics for the fourth quarter of 2024. 

Applications between 1 January 2024 and 31 March 2024 will be evaluated according to the income statistics from the third quarter of 2023. 

Residence permits under Ukraine -Special Act extended

The Danish Immigration Service has now extended the residence permits which were granted under the Ukraine-Special Act. The validity has been extended until 17 March 2025.

On 3 November 2023, the Minister of Immigration and Integration decided that residence permits which were issued under the act on temporary residence permits granted to people who have been displaced from Ukraine (hereinafter the Special Act) could be extended until 17 March 2025.

The Danish Immigration Service initiated a review of all residence permits which were issued under the Special Act until 3 November 2023, and which were otherwise set to expire on 17 March 2024. If the requirements were met, the residence permits have been extended until 17 March 2025.

Residence permits under the special act, which were granted in the period from 3 November 2023 to 17 March 2024, have at the same time been extended, so that they are valid until 17 March 2025.

In a small number of cases, the Danish Immigration Service attempted, without success, to contact individuals who were granted a residence permit under the Special Act before 3 November 2023. In these cases, the Danish Immigration Service was unable to extend the residence permits because necessary information was not available. As a result, these permits will expire on 17 March 2024. Those individuals who could not be contacted are requested to submit a new application for a residence permit under the Special Act, if they still wish to retain a residence permit in Denmark based on the Special Act.

3/1/24

Increased flexibility for certified companies

The government has proposed a bill introducing more flexible rules for foreign workers in Denmark. The government has put the bill out for consultation and proposes that it come into force on 1 July 2024.

With the bill, the government will exempt certain foreign workers from the requirement that wages be paid to a Danish bank account. The exception will include the researcher scheme and the fast-track scheme's pay limit track, researcher track, educational track and short-term track.

In order for foreign nationals to be granted residence through the fast-track scheme, it is a requirement that the company in which they are employed is certified. In order to be certified, a company must, among other things, have at least 10 full-time employees in Denmark, pay and employment conditions must be customary according to Danish conditions, and the company must not have outstanding claims with the Norwegian Working Environment Authority.

For companies that are still subject to the bank account requirement, it is proposed that the time limit for setting up a Danish bank account be extended from 90 days to 180 days.

At the same time, the government will extend the job change rule so that foreign nationals who change their residence without changing jobs are also covered. For example, a foreign national who is currently in Denmark on a one-year residence permit and who would like to switch to the pay limit scheme, which is granted for four years at a time. Would be able to do this without interrupting their current employment while the case is being processed.

The government also proposes to make it possible to extend a stay on the fast-track scheme's short-term track, as long as the stay in Denmark does not exceed a total of 90 days per year. It is not currently possible to extend a short-term stay. Instead, the foreign national must apply for a new first-time residence permit, and may only continue their work once they have obtained a new provisional work permit.

Working holiday quotas for nationals of Argentina and Chile

A new quota period for working holiday residence permits for nationals of Argentina and Chile begins on 1 March 2024.

On that day, the VFS visa application centres in Buenos Aires, Argentina and Santiago, Chile open for appointments at 9 am local time (UTC-3).

For the period 1 March 2024 until 31 August 2024, up to 75 residence permits for citizens of Argentina and up to 75 residence permits for citizens of Chile can be granted under the Working Holiday Scheme. Permits are granted on a first come, first served principle.

When the quota of 75 residence permits under the Working Holiday Scheme for both Chilean and Argentinian citizens has been fully used, no more residence permits will be issued until 1 September 2024 when the next quota period begins. Any remaining applications will be rejected and the case processing fee paid to SIRI will be refunded. Any fee paid to the representation in Chile or Argentina will not be refunded if the application is rejected.

Working holidays in Denmark are also available to nationals of Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Korea; and Japan

2/16/24

New application form for sideline employment and work permit for accompanying family

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that, effective 14 February 2024, it will make a new printable application form available which is tailored to those who wish to apply for a work permit for ‘sideline employment’, or for a work permit as an accompanying family member because they have been offered a job within the same company as their sponsor.

The new form is called AR8. This form will replace the application forms AR1, AR3 and AR6/7, which have previously been used for these two categories.

Applicants must now use the new application form AR8 when applying for a work permit (but not a residence permit) in Denmark if:

• they have a residence and work permit based on a job with a certain employer, and you would like to take up an additional job as ‘sideline employment’, or if
• they already have (or are currently applying for) a residence permit as an accompanying family member to a person who either works or is about to work in Denmark, and they need a work permit because they have been offered a job by the same company that their family member (the sponsor) works for, or at a company that has a close connection to the company where their sponsor works.

Current holders of a work permit based on either of these two schemes can use the new AR8 form to apply for an extension of their work permit.

Please note that commuters cannot use the AR8 form. A commuter is a person who works in Denmark, but lives abroad. Commuters must continue to use the application forms AR1, AR3 or AR6/7.

1/5/24

Updated Positive Lists

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has updated the Positive Lists for people with a higher education and for skilled work. The new lists re applicable from 1 January 2024. 

The Positive Lists are lists of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. Those offered a job included in the Positive List can apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark based on the scheme.

The new Positive List for People with a Higher Education includes 72 job titles, while the Positive List for Skilled Work includes 38.

12/26/23

New au pair rates upcoming

The new rate for the monthly allowance (pocket money) for au pairs is expected to be DKK 4850, and the new rate for the amount that helps finance Danish language classes is expected to be DKK 19,305.

The new rates apply to au pair applications that are submitted from 1 January 2024

The submission date of the application determines what type of rate applies to the application.

The submission date is the date when the application has been

• received at a diplomatic mission or at a visa application centre
• received at one of SIRI’s branch offices
• received by SIRI as physical mail or via SIRI’s contact form
• submitted by using the online application form AU1

The submission date is not dependent on when he applicant begins to fill out the application form, or when the application is signed by the applicant. For instance, if the application process begins in December 2023, but the application itself is not submitted until January 2024, the rates for 2024 will apply to the application. 

12/15/23

Authorities publish updated income statistics applicable from 1 January 2024.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics made by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to decide if an offered job is within the Danish standards for salary. This applies to the Pay Limit Scheme, the Positive List and the Fast Track Scheme, among other routes.

The new income statistics contain information from the third quarter of 2023 and will take effect for applications submitted from 1 January 2024. It is expected that the income statistics will be updated each quarter and that the next update will take effect from 1 April 2024. 

SIRI will usually assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards, and will not make further assessment, if it is stated in the application form and employment contract that:

• The employer is covered by a collective agreement though a membership of an employers’ association.
• The employment is covered by a collective agreement in the relevant sector.
• The salary is at least DKK 67,812.50 per month (2023 level). 

If the above-mentioned terms are not documented in the employment contract, SIRI will assess whether the salary offered corresponds to Danish standards, using the income statistics from the DA as a guideline.

Applications for a residence and work permit after 31 December 2023 will be evaluated according to the income statistics for the third quarter of 2023. 

Applications between 1 October 2023 and 31 December 2023 will be evaluated according to the income statistics from the second quarter of 2023. 

12/8/23

Brexit Withdrawal Agreement residence application deadline approaches

British citizens and their family members covered by the Withdrawal Agreement between EU and the United Kingdom are reminded of the 31 December 2023 deadline for submissions of residence applications. The deadline was extended in Spring 2023.

British citizens and their family members who do not already hold a residence document in Denmark under the Withdrawal Agreement must submit an application – SIRI will not send out individual reminder letters.

Applications can be submitted here. The extended deadline applies for individuals who have not previously submitted an application. Applicants who have previously received a rejection due to submitting the application too late can, based on the extended deadline, ask SIRI to have their case reopened.

Applicants must have had legal residence in accordance with the EU rules on free movement before 31 December 2020. Individuals who already have residence in Denmark under the Withdrawal Agreement should not apply again. 

11/10/23

New short-term work permit exemption

According to Danish business groups, from 17 November 2023, a new rule issued by the Danish Ministry of Immigration and Integration will exempt non-EU/EEA nationals employed by an intra-company group from requiring a work permit for two separate 15-day periods within a 180-day period.

• The employee must leave Denmark for at least 14 days between the two 15-day periods.
• The company in Denmark must have a minimum of 50 employees.
• Temporary workers from an agency abroad are not eligible for the exemption.
• Skilled and unskilled work is not covered by the exemption in the following industries:
  • building and construction
  • agriculture, forestry and horticulture
  • cleaning (including window cleaning)
  • hotel and restaurant
  • road freight transportation
• However, the exemption does apply to highly-skilled and managerial workers in the above-mentioned industries.

11/3/23

Extension of Residence for Refugees from Ukraine

The government has decided that residence permits issued for people displaced from Ukraine can be extended until 17 March 2025.

The Immigration Service will automatically assess whether a residence permit under the Special Act can be extended. If the holder still complies with the requirements laid down in their current residence permit, the residence permit will be automatically extended.

When the Immigration Service has processed a case, and the residence permit has been extended, the holder will receive a new residence card by mail and does not have to have their biometric features recorded for the new residence card.

The Immigration Service will process the case before a current residence permit under the Special Act expires and expects to complete the processing of all cases before 17 March 2024.

10/27/23

Updated calculation of residence under short-term track

SIRI has updated the guidelines for calculating residence under the short-term track, within the Fast Track Scheme.

Under the short-term track, applicants can be granted a residence and work permit that will last for up to 90 days. The update provides further information on how to calculate the distribution of the 90 days across these several stays.

When calculating the multiple stays within 90 days, the method being used is referred to as a ‘rolling’ calculation. This means that the method only accounts for the number of days of residence within a 365-day period. When calculating the period, the count starts from the first day that your permit is to be valid, and is then counted 365 days back in time.

Applicants who have used a calculation of a short-term stay which is attached to their first entry into Denmark in connection to a pending application under the short-term track can contact SIRI no later than 1 December 2023.

10/6/23

Updated Positive List for people with a higher education

SIRI has updated the Positive List for people with a higher education. The updated job titles on the list are based on the Regional Labour Market Councils additions. The new list is applicable from 1 October 2023. 

The Positive List is a list of professions experiencing a shortage of qualified professionals in Denmark. Those offered a job included in the Positive List can apply for a residence and work permit in Denmark based on the scheme. To qualify, applicants must have a suitable educational background.

A job title can appear in the list, if there is a regional or national shortage of qualified professionals for the position. A job title can be added to the Positive List if:

• Ongoing labour market monitoring (the Labour Market Balance Model) shows that there is a national shortage of qualified professionals for a job title (twice a year - 1 January and 1 July);
• Profession specific unemployment insurance funds (a-kasser) assess that there is a national shortage of qualified professionals for a job title (1 October and 1 April); or
• The Regional Labour Market Councils assess that there is a regional shortage of qualified professionals for a job title (1 October and 1 April).

The added job titles on The Positive for people with a Higher Education are added by the Regional Labour Market Councils and they will be on the list until at least 30 September 2025.  The profession specific unemployment insurance funds has not added any job titles to the list that will be applicable from 1 October 2023.

The job titles will only apply for the geographical area (municipalities) each council covers. No job titles are taken off the Positive List for people with a Higher Education as a result of this update.

Another list - the Positive List for Skilled Work - is updated twice a year, on 1 January and 1 July.

9/22/23

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has published updated income statistics which will take effect 1 October 2023.

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) uses income statistics made by the Confederation of Danish Employers (DA) in the case processing of applications to decide if an offered job is within the Danish standards for salary. This applies to the Pay Limit Scheme, and the Fast Track Scheme, among other routes.

The new income statistics contain information from the second quarter of 2023 and will take effect for applications submitted from 1 October 2023. In the future it is expected that the income statistics will be updated each quarter and that the next update will take effect from 1 January 2024. 

SIRI will usually assume that the salary corresponds to Danish standards, and will not make further assessment, if it is stated in the application form and employment contract that:

• The employer is covered by a collective agreement though a membership of an employers’ association.
• The employment is covered by a collective agreement in the relevant sector.
• The salary is at least DKK 67,812.50 per month (2023 level). 

If the above-mentioned terms are not documented in the employment contract, SIRI will assess whether the salary offered corresponds to Danish standards, using the income statistics from the DA as a guideline.

Applications for a residence and work permit after 1 October 2023 will be evaluated according to the income statistics for the second quarter of 2023. 

Applications between 1 August 2023 and 30 September 2023 will be evaluated according to the income statistics from the first quarter of 2023. 

9/15/23

Effective 6 September, a new Health Agreement has taken effect in Greenland, affecting “healthcare persons” (those with a healthcare education) who have been offered employment in the Greenlandic Health Care System.

Those who apply for a residence and work permit according to the Health Agreement are not required to send their authorizations or documentation for education or for previous employment.

The change of the requirements for documentation only applies to healthcare persons that are hired in The Greenlandic Health Care System, when the position is covered by the Greenlandic collective bargaining agreement.

Effective 2 September 2023, applications for residence permits for accompanying family members must be supported by documentary evidence that the sponsor in the Faroe Islands is able to support them.

However, this rule does not apply if the person has residence under the Sports Agreement.

• All first-time applications submitted on or after 2 September 2023 are subject to the changes. The permit will state whether it is a condition for the residence permit that the sponsor can support the accompanying family member. The requirement for support will in these instances also apply to applications for an extension of a residence permit.
• For applications for a residence permit or for an extension of a residence permit submitted before 2 September 2023, the requirement for support does not apply.
• For applications for an extension of a residence permit granted before 2 September 2023, the requirement for support does not apply.

The applicant must submit the sponsor’s current employment contract in the Faroe Islands and, if they have already started work in the Faroe Islands, their pay checks for the last three months.

The documents must show that the sponsor has:

• 34,716.12 kr. in gross income each month, for a spouse or a cohabiting partner.
• 39,797.37 kr. in gross income each month, for a spouse or a cohabiting partner and for a child under the age of 18 that is also traveling to the Faroe Islands, as an accompanying family member. 1,248.25 kr. is added for each additional child, for a maximum of 4 children.
• 28,317.70 kr. In gross income each month, for a child under the age of 18. 3,186.58 kr. is added for each additional child, for a maximum of 4 children.

The fixed amount applies for all of 2023. The amounts are partially regulated by the development of wages in Føroya Arbeiðarafelago’s (the labour union of the Faroe Islands’) collective agreement for unskilled workers, and partially by the government’s regulation percentage annually, on 1 January, which is fixed according to Løgtingslóg um javningarprosent til almannaveitingar (the Lagting law on the regulation rate for social benefits.

5/17/24

Ecuador suspends consular services in Mexico

The Ecuadorian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Human Mobility has announced that, effective 16 May 2024, its consular services in Mexico City and Monterrey are suspended until further notice.From that date, consular procedures will be carried out from its offices in Guatemala City (Guatemala), Houston (Texas, USA) and Phoenix (Arizona, USA).

On 7 April 2024, Mexico closed its embassy and suspended consular services in Quito, Ecuador, after Ecuadorian police forced entry into the Mexican embassy to make an arrest.

929/23

Immigration fees must be paid in US dollars or equivalent

According to a decree which took effect 1 September 2023, foreign nationals must pay immigration fees in US dollars or the equivalent in another hard currency. This includes fees for visas, residency, residence cards and late fees.

Also per the decree, illegal foreign residents must legalize their stay by proving they are staying with an Egyptian national host and by paying a USD 1000 fee, within three months of the decree taming effect.

9/15/23

New visa requirements for Canadian nationals

Effective 1 October 2023, Canadian nationals will no longer be eligible for a visa on arrival in Egypt. Instead, they will be required to apply for an entry visa from an Egyptian consulate.

Applications can be submitted in person, or by mail using a certified courier envelope and providing a certified prepaid return envelope.

E-visas will not be issued to Canadian nationals from 1 October 2023. However, e-visas issued before that date will be valid for entry until their expiry date.

Canadians of Egyptian origin will have the choice of obtaining a free consular visa free of charge or paying for a visa on arrival in Egypt. For the second option, those who do not hold a valid Egyptian passport must first apply to the Egyptian embassy in Ottawa or the consulate in Montreal for a certificate of nationality.

March 2025

Revised timeline fort EES and ETIAS

On 5 March 2025, EU Home Affairs Ministers endorsed a revised timeline for the implementation of the Entry/Exit System (EES) and the European Travel Information and Authorisation System(ETIAS).

The EES is expected to become operational in October 2025. ETIAS is expected to follow in the last quarter of 2026. 

• The Entry/Exit System (EES) is a new digital border management system for registering non-EU nationals travelling for a short stay, each time they cross the external borders of 29 European countries using the system. The EES will modernise border management of the Schengen countries, gradually simplify border controls and prevent identity fraud.
• ETIAS travel authorisation is an entry requirement for non-EU visa-free nationals travelling to any of 30 European countries. It is linked to a traveller’s passport and is valid for up to three years or until the passport expires, whichever comes first. ETIAS holders can enter the territory of these European countries as often as you want for short-term stays - normally for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

At the same time, on 5 March 2025 EU Home Affairs Ministers endorsed Council’s General Approach on a progressive start of operations of the EES. Once adopted by the co-legislators, 29 European countries will gradually introduce the EES over a period of six months. This would give border authorities and the transport industry more time to adjust to the new procedures. 

Once the Regulation on the progressive start of operations of the EES is adopted and the remaining Member States declare readiness, the Commission will decide on the specific date of the progressive start of the EES, guided by the timeline endorsed by the Home Affairs Ministers on 5 March 2025. 

Feb 2025

Further details of ETIAS timeline

The European Commission has published information clarifying the timeline for the introduction of the ETIAS online travel authorisation system.

ETIAS is currently not in operation and will not start in the first half of 2025.No action is required from travellers at this point.

The launch of ETIAS will take place a few months after the introduction of the Entry Exit System (the EES), now expected to be later in 2025. The implementation of ETIAS will be gradual.

• The launch of ETIAS will be followed by a transitional period of at least six months. This means that, for travel during this time, travellers should already apply for their ETIAS travel authorisation, but those without one will not be refused entry as long as they fulfil all remaining entry conditions.
• This will be followed by a grace period of at least six months. During this period travellers must have an ETIAS travel authorisation to enter the30 European countries.
• As an exception, during the grace period, those coming to Europe for the first time since the end of the transitional period will be allowed to enter without an ETIAS provided they fulfil all remaining entry conditions. All other travellers will be refused entry if they do not hold an ETIAS travel authorisation.

Once the new system is in place, nationals of 59 countries and territories who do not need a visa to travel to any of the 30 European countries, will have to apply for an ETIAS travel authorisation before starting their trip. Similar entry requirements for visa-free nationals are currently in place in the United States, Canada and Australia.

Travellers will have to submit their ETIAS applications online using either the official ETIAS website europa.eu/etias or the official mobile app.

11/22/24

Commission proposes new online portal for posted worker declarations

The European Commission has proposed to establish a single declaration portal for companies posting workers to provide services in another European Union (EU) country.

The single digital declaration portal will: 

• Reduce the administrative burden for posting workers: the portal will allow companies to use a single form, available in all official EU languages, instead of using 27 different national forms. On average, this will decrease by 73% the time spent on the declarations. The information requested is streamlined to some 30 data points. It will provide for a user-friendly one-stop shop for declaring posted workers in the EU. This will facilitate businesses' compliance with declaration obligations to competent national authorities.
• Enhance cooperation among EU countries: the new portal will be part of the Internal Market Information System (IMI) that is already used to monitor compliance with the rules on posting of workers. The new public interface will also be based on technical solutions already put in place for the electronic declaration of posted road transport workers, where an electronic public interface, which is also connected to the IMI, is already available since 2022.
• Support protection of workers: simplifying the process will reduce cases of non-compliance and increase the transparency of postings. The portal will facilitate inspections by EU countries, contributing to the protection of posted workers' rights.

EU countries will be able to use the portal on a voluntary basis. Participating EU countries will see the administrative cost of posting workers greatly reduced. This will contribute to the EU objective of reducing companies' reporting burden by 25%, as outlined in the Communication on ‘Long-term competitiveness of the EU'. 

Background

The EU Single Market counts 5 million posted workers. One of the main administrative barriers faced by their employers is to handle multiple and diverse documentation in each Member State.

The freedom to provide services includes the right for businesses to provide services in another Member State, by posting their workers there temporarily. When doing so, service providers must comply with conditions of employment in that Member State as set out in Directive 96/71/EC on the posting of workers. Member States are required to work in close cooperation and provide each other with mutual assistance to facilitate the monitoring of compliance with these terms and conditions of employment.

Furthermore, Directive 2014/67/EU on the enforcement of Directive 96/71/EC provides the possibility for Member States to impose an obligation for service providers established in another Member State to make a simple posting declaration to the competent national authorities of the receiving Member State, containing the relevant information necessary to allow factual controls at the workplace.

First announced in the Update to the 2020 New Industrial Strategy, this action was part of the March 2024 Communication ‘Labour and skills shortages in the EU: an action plan'. In this plan, the Commission announced that it will promote the widespread implementation of a common form of electronic format for posted worker declarations, complemented by the development of a digital multilingual portal through which companies can submit posting declarations for Member States that decide to make use of this tool. The initiative was also announced in the Commission Work Programme for 2024.

8/26/24

Commission confirms start date for Exit/Entry System (EES)

The European Commissioner for Home Affairs has confirmed the launch date for the forthcoming Exit/Entry System (EES) as 10 November 2024.

The Council adopted the regulation for the EES in November 2017. EES will electronically register the time and place of entry and exit of third-country (non-EU) nationals, and calculate the duration of their authorised stay. It will replace the obligation to stamp the passports of third-country nationals which is applicable to all Member States.

More information is available here.

6/28/24

Temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees extended until March 2026

On 25 June 2024, the European Council adopted a decision to extend the temporary protection until 4 March 2026 for Ukrainians refugees.

The temporary protection mechanism was triggered on 4 March 2022 – only a few days after Russian armed forces launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine – and is due to run until 4 March 2025.

The extension decision does not change the decision of March 2022 in terms of the categories of persons to whom the temporary protection applies.

Temporary protection provides immediate and collective protection to a large group of displaced persons who arrive in the EU and who are not in a position to return to their country of origin.

The system alleviates the pressure on national asylum systems because applications do not have to be examined individually. People benefitting from temporary protection enjoy the same rights across the EU. These rights include:

• residence
• access to the labour market and housing
• medical assistance
• social welfare assistance
• access to education for children.

The EU’s temporary protection law sets minimum standards of protection. The actual level of assistance can vary from one member state to another. According to their national procedures member states may have to adopt additional implementation acts to formalise the prolongation.

5/24/24

Schengen visa fee to increase

The European Commission has decided to increase the fee for a Schengen visa from EUR 80 to EUR 90 for adults and from EUR 40 to EUR 45 for children (aged 6-11 years), effective 11 June 2024.

On 22 May 2024, the EU published Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2024/1415 of 14 March 2024 amending Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 as regards the amount of the visa fees, formalising this decision.

5/6/24

Council restricts visa provision for Ethiopian nationals

On 29 April 2024, the European Council decided to temporarily suspend certain elements of the EU law that regulates the issuing of visas to Ethiopian nationals. In particular, it will no longer be possible for member states:

• to waive requirements with regard to the evidence to be submitted by Ethiopian visa applicants
• to issue multiple entry visas
• to waive the visa fee for holders of diplomatic and service passports

Furthermore, the standard visa-processing period now becomes 45 calendar days instead of 15.

This decision follows an assessment by the Commission, which concludes that cooperation by Ethiopia in the field of readmission of its nationals illegally staying in the EU is insufficient. Based on the EU visa code, the Commission regularly assesses the cooperation of third countries on readmission. These assessments may lead to the conclusion that a given third country does not cooperate sufficiently. In such cases, the EU may decide to suspend the application of certain provisions of the visa code.

The suspension decision is temporary but does not come with a specific end date. The Commission will continue to assess any progress made on readmission cooperation.

4/26/24

Commission allows multiple-entry Schengen visas for India, Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia

On 22 April 2024, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell announced “a decision adopted by the European Commission… to harmonise the rules for granting multiple-entry visas for the citizens of the GCC countries.”

The three decisions update the rules for the issuance of multiple-entry Schengen visas for nationals of Bahrain, Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Nationals of these three Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states applying for short-stay Schengen visas from consulates in their country of nationality will be issued a multiple-entry visa valid for a period of five years.

Separately, Indian nationals applying for short-stay Schengen visas from within India will be issued a multiple-entry visa valid for a period of two years, on the condition that they have previously obtained and used two Schengen visas within the preceding three years.

Visa fees for Gambian nationals reduced to standard level

The European Council has decided that the visa fee for nationals of The Gambia who wish to travel to the Schengen area will be reduced from EUR 120 to the standard visa application fee of EUR 80.  

Because of a lack of cooperation of The Gambia as regards readmission of its nationals illegally staying in the EU, the Council had decided in December 2022 to increase the standard application fee for nationals of The Gambia to €120. Since then, The Gambia has substantially and sustainably improved its cooperation on readmission as regards the organisation of return flights and operations.

The EU also decided, in 2021, to temporarily suspend the following for nationals of The Gambia:

• the possibility that member states waive requirements with regard to the documents to be submitted by Gambian visa applicants;
• the limitation of the processing period to 15 calendar days;
• the issuing of multiple entry visas;
• the optional visa fee waiver for holders of diplomatic and service passports

These suspensions currently remain in place

4/19/24

Commission proposes EU/UK youth mobility agreement

On 18 April 2024, the European Commission proposed to the European Council to open negotiations with the United Kingdom on an agreement to facilitate youth mobility. Such an agreement would make it easier for young EU and UK citizens to study, work and live in the UK and the EU respectively.  

According to the Commission, the withdrawal of the UK from the EU has resulted in decreased mobility between the EU and the UK. This situation has particularly affected the opportunities for young people to experience life on the other side of the Channel and to benefit from youth, cultural, educational, research and training exchanges.   

The proposal seeks to address the main barriers to mobility for young people experienced today and create a right for young people to travel from the EU to the UK and vice-versa more easily and for a longer period of time.

• The envisaged agreement on youth mobility includes the following conditions:
• The personal scope is limited to young Union citizens and United Kingdom nationals, e.g. 18-30 years of age;
• The period of stay is limited to a reasonable timeframe (e.g. 4 years);
• Mobility is not purpose-bound, i.e. it can be exercised for different purposes: to work, study, do trainings/internships (including in the context of a Union education programme), research, volunteer, other activities or just visiting/travelling during the period of stay;
• Mobility is not subject to quota;
• Common admission conditions apply and the beneficiary complies with these conditions throughout the period of stay;
• Relevant grounds for rejection of the applications;
• Verification of compliance with the conditions and of absence of grounds for rejection are carried out by the relevant national authorities in an admission procedure prior to exercising mobility.
• The mobility to the Union is only exercised in the Member State that admitted the
• United Kingdom national, i.e. the admission by one Member State does not allow for “intra-Union” mobility to another Member State;
• The treatment of beneficiaries is equal to nationals, at least in respect of working conditions, including pay and dismissal as well as health and safety at the workplace, freedom of association, certain aspects of education and vocational training, tax benefits, in so far as the person is a tax resident, and advice services afforded by employment offices;
• Equal treatment is also provided in respect of tuition fees for higher education. This also applies to beneficiaries of other visa paths;
• The United Kingdom “healthcare surcharge” is waived for Union beneficiaries;
• Conditions for the exercise of the right to family reunification with the beneficiaries.

The Commission's recommendation will now be discussed in the Council. If the Council agrees, the Commission would be empowered to launch negotiations with the UK on youth mobility.  

Council green-lights revised single permit

On 12 April 2024, the Council of the EU adopted a revision of the Single Permit Directive. The law, which updates the 2011 directive currently in place, aims to attract the skills and talent the EU needs and to address shortcomings as regards legal migration to the EU.

The directive sets out the administrative procedure for a single permit for both the right to work and the right to stay in the EU and determines a common set of rights for third-country workers. The revision provides for a shortened application procedure and aims to strengthen the rights of third-country workers by allowing a change of employer and a limited period of unemployment

• A third-country worker can submit an application from the territory of a third-country or, if he or she is a holder of a valid residence permit, from within the EU. If a member state decides to issue the single permit, this decision will serve as both residence permit and work permit.
• The revised Single Permit Directive comes with stricter deadlines for the decision to issue a permit. This should happen within three months of receipt of the completed application. If member states choose to check the labour market situation before deciding whether to grant the single permit – for instance to assess the need for a third-country worker's profile – this should also take place during this 90-day period. The time limit for a decision may exceptionally be extended for an additional 30 days in cases of complex applications.
• A novelty of the review is that single permit holders will be able to change employer. Such a change may be subject to notification to the authorities, and member states may carry out a labour-market check. EU countries may also require a minimum period during which the single permit holder is required to work for the first employer.
• The update also establishes rules applicable if a single permit holder becomes unemployed. In such cases third-country workers are allowed to remain in the territory of the member state if the total period of unemployment does not exceed three months during the validity of the single permit or six months after two years of the permit.

The directive will enter into force on the twentieth day following that of its publication in the Official Journal of the European Union. Member states have two years to transpose the directive into national law.

1/5/24

Bulgaria and Romania to join Schengen area

On 30 December 2023, the European Council decided to accept Bulgaria and Romania into the Schengen area, with air and sea border controls lifted from March 2024.

Discussions on a further decision to lift controls at land borders will continue in 2024.

Kosovans qualify for visa-free travel

Effective 1 January 2024, Kosovo passport holders can travel to the EU without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Equally, EU citizens are able to travel to Kosovo without a visa.

The proposal to grant visa free travel to Kosovo was approved by the European Union co-legislators in April 2023.

The EU Member States covered by the visa waiver are:

• the following EU Member States which are part of the Schengen area: Austria, Belgium, Croatia, Czechia,       Denmark, Estonia Finland,       France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Sweden;
• the EU Member States which are not yet part of the Schengen area but do apply the EU acquis related to the EU visa lists Bulgaria, Cyprus and Romania;

The visa waiver also applies to the associated Schengen states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Although Ireland is an EU Member State, it is not part of the Schengen Area, so the visa waiver does not apply.

Kosovans can enter the EU as a tourist, to visit friends or family, to attend cultural or sports events, business meetings, for journalistic or media purposes, medical treatment, for short-term studies or training and any similar activities. However, the visa waiver does not apply to persons travelling for those who come to work in the EU.

12/26/23

Political agreement on revised single permit rules

On 18 December 2023, the European Commission, Parliament and Council reached a political agreement on the revised Single Permit Directive.

The updated rules establish a single application procedure for a combined EU work and residence permit (a ‘single permit'). The revised rules provide for a common set of rights for workers from non-EU countries, regarding working conditions, social security, recognition of qualifications, and tax benefits.

The new rules aim to streamline the application procedure for the single permit, while making it more effective and improving the safeguarding of non-EU workers' rights.

Once adopted, the revised legislation will:

• Enable non-EU nationals to apply for a single permit not only from non-EU countries but also from a Member State if they already reside in that Member State on the basis of a residence permit;
• Introduce faster application procedures to facilitate international recruitment;
• Provide for stronger protection of workers from non-EU countries, by introducing the right to change employer and a minimum period of unemployment during which their single permit should not be withdrawn; this means that within the period of validity of the permit, workers will have the right to change employers while continuing to reside legally in the Member State.
• Ensure that beneficiaries of protection in accordance with national law can benefit from equal treatment rights if they are allowed to work;
• Include new obligations for Member States to provide for inspections, monitoring mechanisms and sanctions against employers who violate the rights of non-EU workers, including equal treatment rights.

The political agreement reached by the European Parliament and the Council is now subject to formal approval by the co-legislators. Once published in the Official Journal, the Directive will enter into force 20 days after publication and Member States will have 2 years to transpose the provisions of the Directive into national law

Background
In April 2022, the Commission presented the Skills and Talent package: an ambitious and sustainable outlook to legal migration. To improve the previous legislation on single permits, this package included a proposal for a recast of the Single-Permit Directive, alongside a proposal for a revised Long-Term Residence Directive – where negotiations are still ongoing with co-legislators

11/27/23

The Council of the EU has agreed its negotiating mandate for updating the EU Long-Term Residents Directive.

This directive, from 2003, sets out the conditions under which third-country nationals can acquire EU long-term resident status. In order to acquire EU long-term resident status, third-country nationals have to legally and continuously reside in a member state for at least five years. This EU status exists alongside national long-term resident schemes.

On the basis of this agreed negotiation mandate, the Council can enter into interinstitutional talks with the European Parliament to conclude a final legal text.

Acquiring long-term resident status

The Council has agreed that third-country nationals can cumulate residence periods of up to two years in other member states in order to meet the requirements of the five-year residence period. However, in the event of an applicant having resided in another member state, the Council has decided to accept only certain types of legal residence permits, such as holders of EU Blue Cards or residence permits issued for the purpose of highly qualified employment.

Certain conditions will apply in order for applicants to be able to acquire long-term resident status. For instance, third-country applicants must provide evidence of stable and regular resources that are sufficient to maintain themselves and the members of their family, as well as sickness insurance. Member states may also require third-country nationals to comply with integration conditions.

Long-term resident status is permanent. However, it can be withdrawn in certain cases, for instance when a person has not had their main residence in the EU for a certain period of time.

Intra-EU mobility rights

Unlike national residence systems, EU long-term resident status grants status holders the possibility to move and reside in other EU countries, for instance for work or studies. This right to intra-EU mobility is not automatic but is subject to a number of conditions. Such a condition is that member states may assess the situation of their national labour markets in case an EU long-term resident moves to their country from another EU member state for work.

Equal treatment with EU nationals

EU long-term residents enjoy the same treatment as nationals with regard to access to employment and self-employment, education and vocational training and tax benefits, for example. There are a number of conditions, such as the requirement that holders of a residence permit live within the territory of the member state concerned.

11/17/23

Council adopts online visa plan

On 13 November 2023, the European Council adopted new rules allowing people who plan to travel to the Schengen area to apply online for a visa.

The two regulations adopted will create an EU visa application platform. With a few exceptions, applications for Schengen visas will be made through that platform. On the platform, visa applicants will be able to enter all the relevant data, upload electronic copies of their travel documents and supporting documents, and pay their visa fees.

This is intended to render in-person appearance at the consulate redundant. In-person appearance will only be necessary for first-time applicants, people whose biometric data are no longer valid and people with a new travel document.

When a person intends to visit several Schengen countries, the platform will automatically determine which one of them is responsible for examining the application on the basis of the duration of stay. However, the applicant will also have the possibility to indicate whether the application needs to be processed by a specific member state according to the purpose of travel.

The current visa sticker will be replaced with a cryptographically signed barcode.

The two regulations will enter into force 20 days after they are published in the Official Journal of the European Union.

10/27/23

New ETIAS timeline confirmed

The European Council has announced a new timetable for the implementation of the Entry/Exit system and the ETIAS online travel authorisation system.

The Entry/Exit system will be ready to enter into operation in Autumn 2024 and ETIAS will be ready to enter into operation in Spring 2025.

The Council adopted the regulation for the Entry/Exit System (EES) in November 2017. EES will electronically register the time and place of entry and exit of third-country nationals, and calculate the duration of their authorised stay. It will replace the obligation to stamp the passports of third-country nationals which is applicable to all Member States.

The Council adopted the regulation establishing the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) in September 2018. ETIAS is a pre-travel authorisation system for visa exempt travellers. Its key function is to verify if a third country national meets entry requirements before travelling to the Schengen area. The information submitted, via an online application ahead of their arrival at borders enabling pre-travel assessment of irregular migration risks, security or public health risk checks. It will be similar to existing systems in place in the US, Canada and Australia, among others.

9/29/23

Extension of temporary protection

The Council of the European Union has agreed to extend the temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine from 4 March 2024 to 4 March 2025.

The temporary protection mechanism was activated on 4 March 2022 – only a few days after Russian armed forces launched a large-scale invasion of Ukraine – and it was automatically extended by one year.

What is temporary protection?

The system provides immediate and collective (i.e. without the need for the examination of individual applications) protection to displaced persons who are not in a position to return to their country of origin.

The objective is to alleviate pressure on national asylum systems and to allow displaced persons to enjoy harmonised rights across the EU. These rights include:

• residence
• access to the labour market and housing
• medical assistance
• social welfare assistance
• access to education for children

Background and next steps

Following today’s political agreement, the Council will have to formally adopt the decision to extend the temporary protection. This will happen once the legal scrubbing and translation in all EU languages has taken place.

Temporary protection is an EU emergency mechanism which is activated in exceptional circumstances of mass influx. The EU directive on temporary protection was adopted in 2001, in the aftermath of the large-scale displacement experienced in Europe due to the armed conflicts in the Western Balkans, in particular from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo.

9/15/23

More favourable Schengen visa rules for Kuwaiti nationals

On 8 September 2023, the European Commission adopted more favourable rules for Kuwaiti nationals on the issuing of Schengen multiple-entry visas with longer validity.

Kuwaiti nationals, including first-time travellers, can be issued with new multiple-entry visas valid for five years, if the passport validity allows.

The change makes it easier for Kuwaitis to travel to the 27 Schengen countries for business, tourism and family purposes, permitting multiple stays of no more than 90 days in any 180-day period within the Schengen area.

The Schengen area consists of 27 European countries (of which 23 are EU Member States): Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Greece, Spain, France, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Finland and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

9/8/23

The European Commission has proposed measures to make it easier for European citizens to live, work and travel abroad by making access to social security services quicker and simpler across borders.

The Commission’s Communication lays out suggested actions for Member States to further digitize the coordination of social security systems, including the following:

• Accelerate the national implementation of the Electronic Exchange of Social Security Information (EESSI) so that it is fully operational by the end of 2024 across Europe. EESSI digitalises the exchanges among national social security institutions, to move away from paper-based, time-consuming and cumbersome procedures.
• Deliver more social security coordination procedures fully online, to make it even easier for people to move and work abroad, and ensure they get fast access to their eligible benefits. Member States can build on the Single Digital Gateway Regulation, which foresees a fully online delivery of some important administrative procedures to citizens and businesses by 12 December 2023 at the latest.
• Fully engage in the European Social Security Pass (ESSPASS) pilot activities, which explore how to simplify the issuance and verification of citizens' social security entitlements across borders.
• Work towards introducing EU Digital Identity (EUDI) wallets, which will allow EU citizens to carry digital versions of entitlement documents, such as the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), making it easier for social security institutions, labour inspectorates and healthcare providers to instantly verify these documents.

The Commission invites the European Parliament and the Council to endorse the approach set out in this Communication and calls on Member States and all stakeholders to work together to implement its actions.  Advancing the digitalisation of social security coordination is also relevant in the context of ongoing negotiations by co-legislators on the revision of EU social security coordination rules. The Commission encourages the European Parliament and on the Council to modernise the legal framework by reaching an agreement on the revision.

EU nationals are entitled to travel, work and live in another EU country. EU rules (Regulation No 883/2004 and Regulation No 987/2009 on its implementation) protect people's social security rights when moving within Europe, for instance when it comes to healthcare, family benefits and pensions, and make sure they get access to their eligible benefits as quickly as possible across the EU.

12/1/23

Residence permit appointment booking opens

Effective 27 November 2023, applicants can book appointments for submitting applications in December for residence permits on the basis of the 2024 immigration quota.

The recently-announced 2024 quota is 1303 permits, in the following categories:

• 200 temporary residence permits for employment in the transport and storage sector;
• 35 temporary residence permits for employment as a journalist accredited by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
• 34 temporary residence permits for professional activities as an athlete, coach, sports referee or sports professional at the invitation of the relevant sports federation;
• 15 temporary residence permits for employment in a performing arts institution as a creative employee within the meaning of the Performing Arts Institutions Act;
• 5 temporary residence permits on the basis of a treaty;
• 1,014 temporary residence permits freely distributed.

Some foreign workers are excluded from the quota, including those working in information and communications technology and start-up workers; those in short-term employment or in a growth company; those employed as lecturers, or highly-paid specialists; and family or student migrants. Citizens of the European Union and their family members, citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, and applicants for international protection are also not included in the quota.

To submit an application for a residence permit at the Police and Border Guard Board (PBGB), an appointment should be booked on the PBGB's website.

Applicants can also apply for a permit at the nearest Estonian embassy, but the PBGB asks applicants to contact the embassy in advance.

If an applicant for an extension of a residence permit has provided a fingerprint image to the PBGB in the last six years, they may also apply by e-mail or mail.

Important information for employers and foreigners arriving for work:

• The submission of an application for a first residence permit does not give the applicant a legal basis for stay in the country. If the applicant’s visa or other basis for stay expires before a decision has been made on the application for a residence permit, they must leave Estonia and wait for the decision in their home country. In this case, it may also be necessary to inform the PBGB and amend the place of receipt of the residence card on the application if Estonia was initially indicated as the place of receipt of the document.
• Russian and Belarusian citizens are still subject to sanctions and will not be issued residence permits for employment or business.
• A booking is mandatory for a foreign national when submitting an application for a residence permit – the booking is not intended for the employer and cannot be used by the employer for another employee.
• A booking is only intended for the person in whose name it was registered. An application will not be accepted based on a booking registered in the name of another person.
• Applicants will not be able to change their booking later. If they cannot arrive at the scheduled appointment, they will have to cancel the appointment and make a new booking.
• Cancelled bookings will be re-opened in the calendar for everyone to book after a while.

9/13/24

Border checks to be introduced at all German land borders

Ton 9 September 2024, the Federal Ministry of the Interior and Community informed the European Commission that it has ordered the temporary reintroduction of border control at Germany’s land borders with France, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark for six months, starting 16 September 2024.

This means that border checks will be possible at all of Germany’s land borders starting on that date. The complete package of stationary and mobile border policing measures, including the possibility to refuse entry at the border, will be applied at all of Germany’s land borders as allowed by EU and national law.

Checks at Germany’s land border with Austria are currently in place until 11 November 2024, while the order to conduct checks at the land borders with Switzerland, the Republic of Poland and the Czech Republic remains in force until 15 December 2024. These temporary border control measures will be continued and their scheduling coordinated.

Since the temporary border checks were reintroduced at Germany’s borders with Poland, the Czech Republic, Austria and Switzerland on 16 October 2023, the Federal Police have detected approximately 52,000 illegal entries and refused entry to some 30,000 people at Germany’s borders.

Entry is currently denied to people who do not have valid entry documents, who present forged or falsified documents, or who attempt to enter without a visa or valid residence title.

7/26/24

New “sufficient financial means” requirement for students

From 1 September 2024, there will be a change in the necessary amount to show sufficient financial means for students applying for a German national visa.

Applications on and after 01 September 2024 will most likely have to show proof of at least 11,904 euros for the first year, with a maximum withdrawal amount of 992 euros per month.

Currently, sufficient financial means can be demonstrated with one of the following documents:

• confirmation of a German / EU scholarship / stipend; or
• “Verpflichtungserklärung” (formal obligation letter) by sponsor living in Germany; or
• A blocked bank account (sperrkonto) for the first year of the stay, amounting to 11,208 euros.

Currently, holders cannot withdraw more than 934 euros per month from a blocked bank account.

5/31/24

Opportunity card available from 1 June 2024

Starting 1 June 2024, the government will introduce the opportunity card, a residence permit enabling jobseekers to stay in Germany to look for employment.

Opportunity cards are issued for a maximum of one year, provided that the holder is able to support themselves for that period. It allows the holder to undertake work trials for up to two weeks or take up secondary employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during their stay in Germany.

If an applicant is subsequently unable to obtain another residence title for employment purposes but nevertheless has an offer of qualified employment, the opportunity card can be extended for a further two years.

This card can be obtained in two ways:

• Third-country nationals who receive full recognition of their foreign qualifications and are therefore considered “skilled workers” can obtain an opportunity card without any further special requirements;
• All other applicants must provide evidence of a foreign university degree, a vocational qualification of at least two years’ duration (in each case recognised by the state in the country of training) or a vocational qualification issued by a German Chamber of Commerce Abroad. In addition, a basic knowledge of German (level A1 CEFR) or English (level B2 CEFR) is required.       Then, points are awarded for criteria such as recognition of qualifications in Germany, language skills, professional experience, age, links to Germany, and the skilled worker potential of accompanying partners or spouses. Applicants must score a minimum of six points to receive an opportunity card.

For both options, applicants must have sufficient financial resources to fund their job search in Germany. During the visa process, they can demonstrate this ability with a blocked bank account (containing a minimum of €1,027 net per month, amount applicable in 2024) or a declaration of commitment. 

Those who have obtained a university degree or professional qualification in Germany can instead apply for a residence permit for jobseekers giving them more time to look for a job (18 months instead of one year) and can work part-time without restrictions during this time.

Further information is available here.

4/16/24

Measures to simplify and digitise passport and ID procedures

The Federal Government has adopted amendments to the passport and identity card administration regulations, which aim to simplify and digitise these procedures. The amending regulation must now be approved by the Federal Council.

The regulations implement the following facilitations:

• For persons immediately after naturalization, the application for German passports and identity cards will be simplified;
• Effective from the end of April 2025, the obligation to submit a paper-based passport photo will no longer apply. For this purpose, the government has created detailed regulations for the establishment of self-service stations at government offices for media-free digital recording of biometric information (photo, fingerprints, signature);
• The possibility of direct postal delivery of passports and identity cards to the domestic registration address of the applicant will be introduced from May 2025;
• On request, applicants will be able to store an email address, for example in order to receive a reminder for a renewal application in good time before the expiry of the respective identity document;
• The issuance of digitally generated change stickers will be simplified by eliminating the obligation of an official signature and date.

3/22/24

New appointments system for Schengen visa applications in Turkey

Effective 18 March 2024, a new appointments system is implemented for short-stay Schengen visa applications at all German diplomatic missions in Turkey.

The appointment procedure has two steps:

• First, applicants register on an appointment waiting list via the appointment system on the website of the German diplomatic missions in Turkey and receive a confirmation by e-mail.
• At a later date, they will receive the notification of the specific date for the submission of the visa application via the external service provider iDATA.

Appointments are made exclusively in chronological order of appointment registrations. The previous, time-consuming search for a free appointment will now be avoided.

Appointment registration is always free of charge, but to confirm the appointment for submitting the visa application, the service fee must be paid within 48 hours of appointment assignment by IDATA. Appointments not confirmed in time will be cancelled and the applicant will have to register again.

The use of an agency or an intermediary to make an appointment is not necessary. The waiting times for visa application appointments will depend on demand.

3/8/24

Further new provisions for skilled workers now in force 

The second stage of the Skilled Immigration Act came into force in Germany on 1 March 2024. The first stage of the new regulations came into force in November 2023. The third stage from June 2024 will include the introduction of a job search opportunity card.  

The recently effected second stage includes the following provisions:

Skilled workers with practical work experience 

Workers with two years’ practical experience in non-regulated careers are now able to work in Germany without needing to get official recognition for their qualifications. They only need to hold a degree or similar vocational qualification recognised by the country where the qualification was awarded. The vocational training must have lasted at least two years. Certain qualifications from German Chambers of Commerce Abroad may be valid.  

Nurses and carers from non-EU states

In future, people who have trained as nursing assistants for only one or two years will be able to take on permanent jobs in the healthcare system in Germany. This was previously only possible for nurses who had completed three years of training. The condition for this is that applicants have trained as a nurse/nursing assistant in Germany or hold a foreign nursing qualification which is recognised in Germany. 

Residence for recognition of foreign vocational qualifications In regulated professions such as nursing and education, skilled workers will still be able to travel to Germany before their vocational qualification has been officially recognised. This opportunity is now being widened to other groups. To take advantage of the new rules, the skilled worker and their employer enter into a “recognition partnership”. The requirement for this is that the skilled worker holds a state-recognised vocational qualification (of at least two years’ duration) from their country of origin, or a university degree. The skilled worker also needs German language skills. Further information on how foreign vocational qualifications are recognised can be found here.

2/2/24

New nationality law passed

On 19 January 2024, the German parliament passed a law to modernise the German Nationality Act. The legislation is expected to come into force at the beginning of the second quarter of 2024.

The key changes under the new law are as follows:

• Multi-nationality is generally possible: Naturalization applicants no longer have to give up their previous nationality during naturalization, unless this is required under the nationality law of the country of origin. German nationals who acquire a different nationality can also easily retain their German nationality. A retention permit is no longer required.
• Naturalization is accelerated: Instead of after eight years, people will be able to obtain German citizenship after five years.
• Special performance is rewarded: With "special integration services" naturalization is possible after only three years.
• Eased Ius-soli purchase: All children of foreign parents born in Germany will acquire German citizenship in the future and can retain the nationality of their parents if at least one parent has been legally living in Germany for more than five years and has a permanent right of residence. The option regulation is completely eliminated and the pre-stay period of the relevant parent is shortened from eight to five years.
• Life performance of the guest worker generation is recognized: Proof of oral language skills is sufficient for naturalization and no naturalization test is necessary.

11/10/23

Skilled worker law implementation begins

The initial part of Germany’s new skilled worker law will take effect on 18 November 2023. From that date, changes to the rules for EU Blue Cards will take effect, among some other measures intended to expand access to Germany for skilled workers.

EU Blue Card

To implement the requirements of Directive (EU) 2021/1883, which reforms the EU Blue Card scheme across the EU, the German government has introduced the following changes:

• Lower salary thresholds: The salary thresholds for the EU Blue Card in regular occupations and bottleneck professions will be significantly lowered. In future, a minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual contribution assessment ceiling for pension insurance (in 2023: €39,682.80) will apply to bottleneck professions and new entrants to the labour market; for all other occupations, the figure will be 50% (in 2023: around €43,800).
• New entrants to the labour market: The possibility of obtaining an EU Blue Card will be opened to a wider group of people. For example, foreign nationals who have graduated from university within the last three years can obtain an EU Blue Card if their job in Germany earns them a minimum salary of 45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling for pension insurance (in 2023: €39,682.80). This applies to both bottleneck professions and regular occupations.
• IT specialists: Another change is that IT specialists will be able to obtain an EU Blue Card if they do not have a university degree but can prove that they have at least three years of comparable professional experience. In this case, the lower salary threshold for bottleneck professions will apply (45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling; in 2023: €39,682.80).
• Extension of the list of bottleneck professions: The list of bottleneck professions for the EU Blue Card will be significantly expanded. Here, too, the lower salary threshold for bottleneck professions will apply (45.3% of the annual assessment ceiling; in 2023: €39,682.80). In addition to the existing bottleneck professions (mathematics, IT, science, engineering, and human medicine), skilled workers in the following occupations will be able to obtain an EU Blue Card if they meet the other requirements: 
  • Manufacturing, mining, construction, or distribution managers
  • Information and communications technology service managers
  • Professional services managers, such as child care or health services managers
  • Veterinarians
  • Dentists
  • Pharmacists
  • Nursing or midwifery professionals
  • School and out-of-school teachers and educators
• Short-term and long-term mobility: Holders of an EU Blue Card issued by another EU Member State will be entitled to short-term and long-term mobility in Germany. For a maximum stay of 90 days, Blue Card holders from other EU countries will be able come to Germany and stay here for the purpose of a business activity directly related to their employment. Neither a visa nor a work permit from the Federal Employment Agency (BA) is required for such short stays. 
  After a minimum stay of twelve months with an EU Blue Card in another EU country, long-term residence in Germany is possible without a visa. After entering Germany, the professional must apply to the foreigners authority for a German EU Blue Card. 
• Facilitated family reunification for EU Blue Card holders: EU Blue Card holders who have already lived in another EU Member State with their family will be entitled to privileged family reunification. If these family members require a visa due to their nationality, they will be entitled to enter and reside in Germany as family members of an EU Blue Card holder with the residence permit issued in the previous Member State without having to undergo a visa procedure beforehand. When a residence permit is issued in Germany, the requirements of sufficient living space and the requirement to secure one’s livelihood will no longer apply.

Further changes from 18 November 2023

The restriction that individuals may only work on the basis of the skills acquired with the professional qualification will be removed. In other words, if applicants have a vocational qualification or a university degree, they are not restricted to jobs related to that qualification when looking for employment. There are exceptions for regulated professions.

Also, the granting of approval by the Federal Employment Agency for employing professional drivers from third countries is to be simplified. As a result, it will no longer be checked whether the applicant has the required EU or EEA driving licence and the initial qualification or accelerated initial qualification. In addition, the priority check will be abolished and language skills will no longer be a requirement

Further changes, listed here, are due to be implemented in March or June 2024.

Streamlined document issuance

Effective 1 November 2023, individuals can now confirm the receipt of the PIN letter for their online ID card via text message. This allows identity cards, passports and electronic residence permits to be picked up at document dispensing machines, if these machines are available onsite. An in-person appointment for the collection of the documents at a government office is then no longer necessary.

With the PIN of their online ID card, individuals can safely access over 200 online services from government authorities and companies from anywhere.

Further changes will be implemented by spring 2025

• Individuals will receive their PIN letter directly when submitting their application, rather than by post.
• In addition, on request and for a fee, they can have the requested identification documents sent directly by the manufacturer to their registration address - this also eliminates the appointment for the collection of new identity documents.
• From May 2025, only digital biometric photographs will be used for new documents. The photographs must be taken either at government offices or by photographers. The biometric photographs will then always comply with international requirements.

April 2025 - 

New minimum income for extended permit for employed persons

The minimum income limit for a residence permit for an employed person increased to EUR 1600 per month on 1 January 2025.

Now, the Finnish Immigration Service has announced that, starting in April 2025, the minimum income limit of EUR 1600 will also apply to applications for an extended permit on the basis of employment. The limit refers to the person’s gross salary, which means their salary before the deduction of taxes and other statutory contributions.

Currently, the minimum income limit for an extended permit for an employed person, i.e., the minimum income requirement, is EUR 1430 per month. From April 2025, the salary must be at least EUR 1600 per month. If the salary is less than EUR 1600 per month, an applicant cannot receive an extended permit for an employed person.

For those who have submitted an application for an extended permit for an employed person before 1 April 2025 but whose application is still pending after 1 April 2025, and who do not meet the new minimum income limit, their employer may supplement the terms of employment in the application and increase their salary to at least EUR 1600 per month.

To receive an extended permit for an employed person, applicants must have a job in Finland and have sufficient income for as long as their residence permit is valid in Finland:

• Their total salary must be at least EUR 1600 per month. The salary may consist of several employment relationships, but the sum does not include any bonus pay, such as evening, night work, Saturday or Sunday compensation.
• Their employer may pay part of your salary as a fringe benefit, such as a company car or housing benefit. The fringe benefits may not exceed 50% of the base salary. Fringe benefits are taken into account according to their taxable value.

March 2025 - Automated decisions possible for researchers who apply for an extended permit

On 24 March 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service will start issuing automated decisions on applications for extended permits for researchers.

An automated decision is a decision that the Finnish Immigration Service’s system automatically makes on an application. The processing of an application may involve automated steps and steps performed by Finnish Immigration Service specialists.

The system makes an automated decision only when this is possible under law, based on the rules formulated by the Finnish Immigration Service. The system uses these rules to check whether an application meets the requirements laid down in law. Only positive decisions are made automatically.

Applicants can receive an automated decision on their application if the following conditions are met:

• They are applying for an extended permit for a researcher in Finland.
• They have completed a master’s degree.
• They are at least 18 years old.
• They have an employment relationship with a Finnish research organisation.
• They will not participate in a mobility programme of the European Union while the permit they are applying for is valid.
• They have submitted their application online in Enter Finland.
• They have submitted the application on 19 March 2025 or later.
• They have filled in the application form with care and have submitted all the required information and attachments.
• They meet all the requirements for the residence permit. There is no need for case-by-case consideration due to, for example, granting an exemption from a requirement.
• No family members are applying for a residence permit together with the applicant.
• Their details are not subject to non-disclosure for personal safety reasons.
• They have not applied for or been granted international protection.
• They have not previously received a decision to deport them from Finland.
• There are no gaps between their hosting agreements.

For those who cannot get an automated decision on their application for an extended permit, a Finnish Immigration Service specialist will process the application and issue a decision on it.

March 2025 - Planned changes to temporary protection legislation will enter into force in March 2025

As announced in December 2024, the Ministry of the Interior has been drafting several changes to legislation on residence permits for temporary protection, which have now been adopted.

Residence permits will be valid for the entire duration of temporary protection

In the future, residence permits and residence permit cards for persons who have been granted temporary protection will continue to be valid for as long as the government decision on granting temporary protection is in force. Previous legislation set the maximum duration of temporary protection at three years.

In the future, a residence permit for temporary protection would always be temporary. Those who intend to settle in Finland permanently can apply for a residence permit.

Temporary protection of certain third-country nationals will end on 31 March 2025

Third-country nationals who fled Ukraine and who did not have a permanent residence permit in Ukraine or who were not granted international protection in that country will no longer have temporary protection. This concerns around 200 people. The Finnish Immigration Service has sent a letter about this to the customers whose temporary protection will end.

Temporary protection will still apply to Ukrainian nationals and their family members, and also to third-country nationals who have obtained a permanent residence permit in Ukraine or been granted international protection in that country. 

Feb 2025

Backlog in processing of family applications

The Finnish Immigration Service (“Migri”) has announced that there is a backlog in the processing of applications on the basis of family ties. Currently, more than 15,000 applications are awaiting a decision.

Those who have not yet received a decision on their application will be contacted if Migri needs more information for their application.

Background

Nearly 50,000 applications on the basis of family ties were submitted in 2024, which is almost 10,000 more than in 2023. 

More than 46,000 decisions were made in 2024, which is more than 6,000 more than in 2023.

65% of applications on the basis of family ties submitted in 2024 were resolved in less than three months.

In 2024, some 91% of first permits and 97% of extended permits received positive decisions.   

Most applications are processed in less than three months. The average processing time for the applications of minor children is shorter than for adults.

According to the law, the applications of students’ family members must be processed within a maximum of 90 days from the date the applicant has submitted a fully completed application. Other applications on the basis of family ties must be processed within a maximum of nine months.

Currently, around 2000 applications on the basis of family ties have been pending for more than nine months and around 1200 applications of students’ family members have been pending for more than 90 days. Migri will prioritise applications whose statutory processing time has expired.

Migri states that the absence of a passport is currently the main reason for the delay in processing.

• Applicants must have a valid passport issued by the country of nationality in order to be granted a residence permit. Applicants are advised to renew their passport if it is about to expire. The expiry of a passport is not a valid reason for faster processing of a residence permit application.
• Those who do not have a valid passport issued by the country of nationality usually need to obtain one. The lack of a passport significantly slows down the processing of the application.

There is also a backlog in applications for which further clarification is requested.

• Applicants should check that they have completed all the necessary information in the application form and submitted all the requested attachments, such as a report on sufficient financial resources if a condition for issuing the permit is having sufficient resources.
• Applicants must alsolegalise the documents, before submitting the application.
• The processing of the application is often also delayed in situations where a family member already residing in Finland does not have a valid residence permit. In this case, the application cannot be resolved until the family member has been granted a residence permit.

Foreign wild-berry pickers now subject to seasonal work rules

Following legislative amendments that entered into force on 17 February 2025, wild-berry picking carried out by foreign nationals is now treated as seasonal work. Employers must hire foreign berry pickers for a contractual employment relationship to enable them to apply for an entry permit to Finland, and berry pickers will apply for a seasonal work visa for stays up to three months.

The Seasonal Workers Act will apply to wild-berry picking starting from the 2025 harvest season. In future, companies must hire berry pickers for a contractual employment relationship to enable them to apply for a visa or residence permit for seasonal work.

In practice, an employment relationship was already required last summer when berry pickers applied for a residence permit for an employed person issued by the Finnish Immigration Service. The recent legislative amendments enable berry pickers to apply for a seasonal work visa or a seasonal work permit from 2025.

Berry pickers seeking to stay in Finland for up to 90 days apply for a seasonal work visa at a Finnish mission. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs is responsible for processing the applications.

Some of the conditions for granting a seasonal work visa differ from the conditions for a tourist visa, to minimize the risk of exploitation. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has a duty to take preventive measures if there are indications of work-related exploitation and human trafficking.

The Finnish Immigration Service issues residence permits for seasonal work that lasts between three and nine months. Applications can be submitted at Finnish missions. Nationals of visa-free countries can apply for a certificate for seasonal work at the Finnish Immigration Service.

Countries of origin may lay down conditions for berry pickers in accordance with their legal provisions. The authorities of these countries monitor compliance with the conditions. The Ministry for Foreign Affairs or Finnish missions do not negotiate these conditions on behalf of employers.

As part of its regular monitoring of the use of foreign labour, the occupational safety and health authority monitors the right to work and the minimum terms of employment of foreign wild-berry pickers who have entered Finland with a seasonal work permit. Improving the status of berry pickers is part of the government’s action plan for preventing work-related exploitation.

The government states that it will monitor the effects of the changes and, if necessary, introduce further measures to combat exploitation in the berry sector.

Automated messages sent by mistake to employers from Enter Finland for Employers

Those who use the online service Enter Finland for Employers may have received an automated email message on Tuesday 4 February 2025 with a subject line ‘We have made a decision on application’. The message, which was sent by mistake, states that a decision has been made on the employee’s residence permit application.

These messages were sent unintentionally between 00.00 and 10.05. There have been problems with the sending function for automated messages that have now been fixed.

There is currently a high demand for employer guidance services. If the employee’s residence permit process is completed and the employee is not waiting for a decision on his or her application or has appealed against a decision, the message received has most likely been sent by mistake. In this case, no action is required from the employer or their employee.

Those who suspect that the message was sent deliberately should check with their employee whether he or she has received a decision on his or her application. Unintentional messages have been sent only to employers.

Jan - 2025

Automated post-decision monitoring of residence permits for employed persons

The Finnish Immigration Service introduced automated post-decision monitoring of residence permits for employed persons on 20 January 2025.

The purpose of automated post-decision monitoring is to verify whether the holder of a residence permit for an employed person still meets the requirements for the permit. Post-decision monitoring is applied to first residence permits issued on or after 1 January 2024 and to extended permits issued on or after 1 January 2023.

A residence permit for an employed person can be granted to an applicant who is coming to Finland to work for a Finnish employer or other employer operating in Finland. A residence permit for an employed person is granted for the field in which the applicant will work. Applicants must have confirmed employment in Finland before they can apply for the permit.

Post-decision monitoring will focus on the key requirements for the permit. The Finnish Immigration Service will verify whether the employee has been paid a salary that meets the income requirement, for example. The authorities may conduct automatic register checks in national registers, including the register of Kela (kela.fi), the Incomes Register (vero.fi) and the registers of the Legal Register Centre (oikeusrekisterikeskus.fi).

Automated post-decision monitoring is already being used to monitor the permits of students, startup entrepreneurs and specialists. Expanding the scope of post-decision monitoring to cover work-based residence permits is part of the Government’s action plan against labour exploitation. The Finnish Immigration Service has carried out post-decision monitoring since 2017.

1/3/25

New minimum income limit for the residence permit for an employed person

The minimum income limit for a residence permit for an employed person increased as of 1 January 2025 because of amendments to legislation. A foreign employee who arrives in Finland with a residence permit for an employed person will have to earn at least 1600 euros per month for their work in Finland. The purpose of the amendments is to ensure that employees who move to Finland for work are paid a salary that is sufficient to cover their living costs.

Currently, a residence permit for an employed person can be issued if the applicant's salary complies with the applicable collective agreement or meets the minimum income requirement of 1399 euros per month. When the amendments have entered into force, international employees who are working in Finland with a residence permit for an employed person must still have a salary that complies with the applicable collective agreement, but 1600 euros will be the minimum salary level that is required.

The employer may pay up to 50% of the salary as fringe benefits, such as by offering a company car or an accommodation benefit.

Under the Aliens Act, a person who applies for a residence permit is considered to have sufficient financial resources if he or she cannot be expected to become dependent on social assistance.

The new minimum income limit concerns all applications for a first-time residence permit for an employed person as of 1 January 2025 and extended permits as of 1 April 2025.

The residence permit for an employed person is the most common work-based residence permit issued in Finland. The number of applications for a first residence permit for an employed person submitted between January and November 2024 was 9104. The most common citizenships among applicants who have applied for a work-based residence permit this year are Thailand, Philippines, India, China and Vietnam. Most applicants from Thailand came to Finland for a short time period to pick wild berries.

New processing fees

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) updated its processing fees effective 1 January 2025, based on a decree by the Ministry of the interior.

Examples of price changes include the following.

• Previously, the residence permit card on the basis of temporary protection was free of charge. Moving forward, the card will be subject to a charge. The processing fee for an online application for a card on the basis of temporary protection is EUR 20, and for a paper application, EUR 40.
• The processing fee for an online application for a permanent residence permit has increased to EUR 240. The previous price was EUR 220. The price of a paper application for a permanent residence permit has increased to EUR 350. The previous price was EUR 270.

2024 fees will apply to applications submitted by 31 December 2024.

Decision-making pause in January 2025 concerning residence permit for an employed person and seasonal work permits

The decision-making on certain residence permit applications is on pause from 1 to 8 January 2025. The pause concerns applications for a residence permit for an employed person and residence permits for seasonal work that exceeds six months. The decision-making on both first and extended permits will be on pause.

The pause does not affect the submission of residence permit applications, which can be submitted normally through the online service Enter Finland even during the break.

Processing times are likely to be longer than usual due to the pause in decision-making.

The reason for the pause is the transfer of work permit services from the TE Offices to the Finnish Immigration Service and the system updates required because of the transfer.

12/13/24

Transfer of work permit services from TE Offices to Finnish Immigration Service

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) will be responsible for all residence permit matters for employed persons as of 1 January 2025. Because of this reorganisation of responsibilities, employee announcements regarding employees hired from outside the EU/EEA area must be submitted to the Finnish Immigration Service as of 1 January 2025.

According to Migri, the processing of applications will slow down for a short while in early 2025 because of the reorganization. During the spring, the processing pace will recover. Over time, the processing times will become considerably shorter than before.

For those who are using Enter Finland for Employers, the reorganization will not affect the way they use the service. Using Enter Finland for Employers is the easiest way to speed up the processing of an employee’s application. It is also the quickest and easiest way to manage application matters. An additional benefit of using Enter Finland for Employers is that the processing fees for online applications are often more affordable than for paper applications.

No more partial decisions required

After the Finnish Immigration Service takes over some of the duties of the TE Offices on 1 January 2025, a partial decision is no longer required for a residence permit for an employed person and for a residence permit for seasonal work that lasts over six months. These applications will be processed by the Finnish Immigration Service only.

The information and attachments required for an application will remain the same as before. Labour market testing will continue, too. The Finnish Immigration Service will verify that the employee’s terms of employment comply with the provisions of law in force and follow the applicable collective agreement. The Finnish Immigration Service will also verify that the employee’s income is sufficient.

As an employer, you have the right to appeal against a decision only if a negative decision on the employee’s residence permit application has been issued for reasons related to the employer or for reasons related to the labour market situation. Once a partial decision is no longer required, employers will only be informed of decisions that are negative for reasons related to labour market testing or to the employer.

Positive decisions and decisions that are negative for reasons related to the applicant will be served on the applicant only. The applicant has the right to appeal against such decisions. 

11/24/24

Changes to requirement to provide evidence of employment module completion and assessment of employment agreements

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that, from Wednesday 20 November 2024, employers will need to confirm that staff involved in recruitment decisions for Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) holders have completed Employment New Zealand learning modules and paid time has been given to migrant workers to complete these.

However, to make it simpler and quicker for them, they no longer need to provide further evidence with their application to renew their accreditation. Where there are concerns, INZ may ask for further evidence.

Further changes are being considered as part of the next stage of the review into the AEWV scheme, including removing the requirement to provide an employment agreement with a Job Check application and to complete Employment New Zealand modules.

Changes to the Post Study Work Visa (PSWV)

Students who studied a Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) for 30 weeks and immediately progressed to a Master’s degree, but were not enrolled in the Masters for 30 weeks, are now eligible to apply for a Post Study Work visa (PSWV) based on their PGDip enrolment. This will give students more flexibility in their course of study and ensure they can remain eligible to work following their qualification.

If a student has completed a qualification that is eligible for a PSWV then immediately completes a higher-level qualification (that is ineligible for PSWV, including because they did not study for the minimum duration), they will have 12 months from the end date of their student visa for the initial qualification to apply for a PSWV.

If a student wants a three-year PSWV, they need to complete at least 30 weeks of full-time study in New Zealand, enrolled in the Master’s degree itself.

To be eligible for a PSWV, applicants must hold an eligible New Zealand qualification that has been studied full-time in New Zealand for the required minimum duration and apply within the required timeframe.

Changes to the list of qualifications eligible for a Post Study Work Visa

The following changes are being made to align the list of qualifications eligible for a PSWV with the Green List:

• PSWV applicants who qualify to teach at secondary school no longer require a Bachelor’s degree specialising in Science, Mathematics, Technology or Pacific Languages;
• applicants who have completed graduate diplomas and meet the Teaching Council’s registration requirements are able to get a PSWV to work as a Primary or Intermediate school teacher;
• the New Zealand Diploma in Engineering (Level 6) with a strand in Mechanical Engineering has been added so Mechanical Engineering Technicians are eligible for a PSWV.

Removal of cap for Fishing Crew Work Visa

The government has agreed to remove the annual cap of 940 foreign workers able to obtain a Fishing Crew Work Visa.

From 2 December 2024, employers can hire more migrants to fill skill shortages on fishing vessels when they don’t have enough qualified and experienced New Zealanders to do to the work.

Employers will still be required to obtain approval in principle from Immigration New Zealand (INZ) if they wish to recruit 7 or more overseas crew members for a single vessel.

INZ has worked with the industry to pause the current allocation process for the upcoming cap year (31 October 2024 to 31 October 2025).

Removing the cap will bring immediate relief to the seafood industry, which employs over 12,000 people and earned over NZD 2 billion from exports for the year ending June 2024. 89 per cent of the seafood workforce are New Zealand nationals.

11/22/24

Automated decisions possible for EU citizens who register their right of residence based on work or studies 

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced that, as of 21 November 2024, citizens of EU Member States, Switzerland or Liechtenstein can receive an automated decision on their EU registration application if they apply for the registration on the basis of work or studies in Finland.

An automated decision is a decision that is automatically made on an application. The automation is based on rules formulated by the Finnish Immigration Service. The system uses these rules to check whether the application meets certain requirements laid down in law. Only positive decisions are made automatically.

Applicants can receive an automated decision on their application if they meet the following conditions:

• The application is submitted on or after 21 November 2024.
• The application is submitted via the Enter Finland online service for registration on the basis of studies.
• All the registration requirements are met. The application does not require case-by-case discretion.
• The applicant does not have a non-disclosure for personal safety reasons.
• The basis for the registration does not change during the processing of the application.
• No family members are applying together with the applicant.
• The applicant is at least 18 years old if they apply on the basis of work, or at least 16 years old if they apply on the basis of studies.
• The applicant has already started their work or studies in Finland.
• The applicant has provided a current document about their work or studies (such as an employment contract or a certificate of attendance from their educational institution).

Before an automated decision can be issued, the applicant must first visit a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service or International House Helsinki to prove their identity.

11/19/24

Pause in processing of work-based permits in January 2025

The decision-making on certain residence permit applications will be paused from 1 to 8 January 2025. The processing pause concerns the residence permit for an employed person and the residence permits for seasonal work where the permit period is at least six months.

The decision-making on first and extended permits will be on pause.

Holders of a current permit which is about to expire who require an extended permit, should submit an application as soon as possible.

The pause does not affect the submission of residence permit applications: Applications can be submitted normally through even during the pause period.

Permit holders should apply for an extended permit before their current permit expires. An application is considered to have arrived in time it is submitted via Enter Finland before the previous residence permit expires. However, it may take longer than normal for a decision to be issued.

Work permit services to be transferred from TE Offices to Finnish Immigration Service on 1 January 2025

The employment and economic development services in Finland are being reformed, and the interruption in decision-making on certain work-based permits in January permits the necessary changes in automation and data systems.

Until January, applications for a residence permit for an employed person and applications for a residence permit for seasonal work that exceeds six months have been processed in two stages: The TE Office has first issued a partial decision before forwarding the application to the Finnish Immigration Service for further processing. 

As of 1 January 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service will inspect and assess all the requirements for work-based residence permits all at once. The reorganisation of responsibilities aims to enhance the customer experience and to ensure a more seamless process.

11/8/24

Updated income requirements for residence permits

The Finnish Immigration Service has announced that new income thresholds for residence permit applicants will affect applications that are submitted on or after 1 November 2024.

The new income thresholds concern the following residence permits:

• Residence permits for family members
• Residence permit on the basis of established relationship
• Residence permit for a person who has completed a degree or qualification or conducted research in Finland (for working or to start a business)
• Residence permit for startup entrepreneurs
• Residence permit for researchers with own funding

Background

Usually, the authorities can grant a residence permit only if the applicant has enough money ('sufficient financial resources') for living in Finland. Applicants are considered to have sufficient financial resources if their net earnings meet the required level, which is the income threshold in euros determined by the Finnish Immigration Service.

The most recent adjustments to the income thresholds were made in 2013, and the old thresholds did not correspond to the current costs of living. The old income thresholds were lower than the average income of beneficiaries of social assistance.

The amount of money that is required depends on where the applicant lives, since there is regional variation in housing costs. The income thresholds are now divided into three groups:

• Helsinki metropolitan area: Espoo, Helsinki, Kauniainen, Vantaa
• Other large municipalities: Hyvinkää, Hämeenlinna, Joensuu, Jyväskylä, Järvenpää, Kajaani, Kerava, Kirkkonummi, Kouvola, Kuopio, Lahti, Lappeenranta, Lohja, Mikkeli, Nokia, Nurmijärvi, Oulu, Pori, Porvoo, Raisio, Riihimäki, Rovaniemi, Seinäjoki, Sipoo, Siuntio, Tampere, Turku, Tuusula, Vaasa, Vihti
• Other municipalities

The new income thresholds as of 1 November 2024 are as follows:

1. Helsinki metropolitan area:

The income threshold for a family increases by 360 euros per each child starting from the third child.

2. Other large municipalities:

The income threshold for a family increases by 320 euros per each child starting from the third child.

3. Other municipalities:

The income threshold for a family increases by 310 euros per each child starting from the third child.

Examples of income thresholds for families

• For a family consisting of 1 adult and 1 child who live in Helsinki (group 1), the income threshold is EUR 1,210 + EUR 610 = EUR 1,820 per month.
• For a family consisting of 2 adults and 2 children who live in Tampere (group 2), the income threshold is EUR 1,090 + EUR 550 + EUR 550 + EUR 430 = EUR 2,620 per month.
• For a family consisting of 2 adults and 4 children who live in a municipality that belongs to group 3, the income threshold is EUR 1,030 + EUR 520 + EUR 520 + EUR 410 + EUR 310 + EUR 310 = EUR 3,100 per month.

Income thresholds for permits for studies, au pairing and working holiday as of 1 November 2024

• For the residence permit for studies, the income threshold is 800 euros per month. This also applies to the residence permit issued to students who have graduated or to researchers for the purpose of looking for work or starting a business. Family members of students must meet the income thresholds listed in the tables.
• The required income for a residence permit for au pairs (the amount of pocket money) is 340 euros per month.
• The income threshold for a residence permit for working holiday is usually 2,450 euros for the first 3 months.

10/29/24

Updated online form for new employee announcements

Effective 31 October 2024, the employee announcement form in the Enter Finland for Employers online service will be updated. From that date, there will be a new and simplified employee announcement form, making it quicker and easier for employers to submit the announcement. Employers must submit an employee announcement when employing a person from outside the EU/EEA countries.

Employee announcements can be submitted using the online service Enter Finland for Employers. Due to the update, there will be a service break on 30 October 2024 between 17h00–23h00 approximately. During the service break, announcements cannot be submitted.

Once submitted, employee announcements are usually stored on the employer’s Enter Finland for Employers account for 30 days. Due to the update, announcements submitted on 30 October 2024 or earlier will disappear from the account. 

• Employers who wish to see the announcements that they have submitted within the last 30 days must save them before the service break. 
• If there are unsubmitted drafts of announcements on an account on 30 October 2024, they will disappear when the service break begins. 
• Announcements submitted on 31 October 2024 or thereafter will remain on the account as usual for 30 days.

Private individuals who are employers but do not have a Business ID cannot use Enter Finland for Employers to submit their employee announcement. They do not need to submit an employee announcement if their employee is only now applying for a residence permit and they have already added or will add the terms of employment to the employee’s application.

Work permit services of TE (employment and economic development) Offices to be transferred to Finnish Immigration Service on 1 January 2025 

As of 1 January 2025, the Finnish Immigration Service will be responsible for all residence permit matters for employed persons. The changes are part of the overall reform of employment and economic development services in Finland

10/7/24

Longer period of residence required for citizenship

Effective 1 October 2024, the Citizenship Act has been amended such that the period of residence required for Finnish citizenship is now eight years.

In some cases, the required period of residence is shorter than eight years. For applicants who meet the language skills requirement, for example, the required period of residence will be five years.

The rules regarding residence abroad during the required period of residence have also changed. A total of 365 days abroad is now accepted as part of the required period of residence. Up to 90 of these days may be from one year immediately preceding the citizenship decision. For applicants who spend more time abroad, the exceeding days will not be counted towards their period of residence.

The processing of citizenship applications from beneficiaries of international protection and stateless applicants are now processed as urgent: a decision will be made within one year of the day when the application was submitted. 

For applicants who have been granted international protection, the period of residence will no longer be calculated from the day when the asylum application was submitted. Instead, the period of residence will be counted from the day when the applicant was granted a first continuous residence permit (an A permit).

Applications submitted before 1 October 2024 will be decided in accordance with the old version of the Citizenship Act. Applications submitted on or after 1 October 2024 will be decided in accordance with the new period of residence requirement.

Currently, there is backlog in the processing of citizenship applications. Approximately 28,000 citizenship applications are waiting for processing. There is a long waiting time because the number of incoming applications has been exceptionally high in recent years. 

Another reason for longer processing times in citizenship applications is that many applications do not meet the requirements.

The Finnish Immigration Service aims to clear the backlog of citizenship applications gradually by 2027.

Those applying online may be able to avoid a visit to a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service if:

• they are at least 18 years old and apply for citizenship for themselves;
• they submit the application via the Enter Finland online service ;
• they use strong electronic identification, such as Finnish online banking credentials, to log in to the online service and;
• they pay for the application before submitting it.

9/13/24

In-country residence permit applications restricted

Effective 1 September 2024, visitors to Finland can no longer apply for a residence permit from within the country.

Certain categories of applicant are exempt from this new rule and are permitted to apply to change their status from visitor to resident, including:

• a family member of a Finnish citizen
• someone applying for a residence permit for a child born in Finland;
• someone applying for a residence permit for studies or a family member of a student;
• those applying for a residence permit for a researcher or a family member of a researcher

As before, the following can be applied for only in Finland: an extended permit, a permanent residence permit, registration of an EU citizen, international protection, temporary protection, a residence permit for a victim of human trafficking, a residence permit due to misconduct of the employer and a residence permit on a discretionary basis on humanitarian grounds.

This requirement will also be applied to those applicants who submitted a residence permit application before the entry into force of the amendments on 1 September 2024 but have not yet received a decision.

9/9/24

Stricter identification requirements for residence permit applicants

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has confirmed that, effective 1 September 2024, amendments to the Aliens Act have introduced stricter identification requirements for residence permit applicants.

Applicants for a residence permit must have a valid passport issued by their country of nationality. As of 1 September 2024, Migri cannot grant a residence permit if the applicant does not hold a passport issued by their country of nationality. Applicants who instead have a refugee travel document or an alien’s passport issued by Finland or some other country cannot obtain a residence permit in Finland.

The stricter requirement also applies to applications submitted before 1 September 2024 that are already being processed. 

Those who have been issued with an alien’s passport for the purpose of obtaining a passport from their country of nationality should make sure to obtain it as soon as possible.

Exceptions to the passport requirement on application for a first residence permit or an extended permit 

Migri will not reject a residence permit application because the applicant does not have a passport in the following cases:

• The applicant is a child born in Finland.   
  • Migri will issue the child with an alien’s passport so that the child can obtain a passport issued by his or her country of nationality. 
  • If the child’s country of nationality has an embassy or a consulate in Finland, the child must primarily obtain a passport issued by his or her country of nationality.
• The applicant needs a residence permit on a discretionary basis on humanitarian grounds.
• The applicant is a victim of human trafficking.
• The applicant is applying for asylum or temporary protection.
• The applicant is applying for a residence permit as a family member of a person who has received international protection and the applicant is granted international protection.

Exceptions to the passport requirement on application for a permanent residence permit

Applicants for a permanent residence permit are not required to hold a passport issued by their country of nationality if they have previously been granted

• international protection or temporary protection or
• a residence permit when exclusion clauses have been applied. 

Applicants are not required to have a passport issued by their country of nationality if they can prove that they have tried to obtain such a passport, they have presented reliable proof of their identity and they have previously received a residence permit despite not having a passport

• due to obstacles to leaving the country 
• on a discretionary basis on humanitarian grounds 
• as a victim of human trafficking
• as a third-country national who has resided and worked in the country illegally
• as a foreign national in a witness protection programme.

Additionally, applicants still need to meet the requirements for the permit.

A permanent residence permit can also be granted when the applicant does not have a passport if there are exceptionally serious grounds for it or if it is in the best interest of the child.

The Ministry of Interior announced the stricter requirements in July 2024.

Forthcoming increases in income required for residence permit applications

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced that the income thresholds determined by the Finnish Immigration Service will increase on 1 November 2024 and will apply to applications submitted on or after that date.

• The income threshold changes concern the following work-based permits: residence permit for persons with a degree or qualification completed in Finland; residence permit on the basis of research completed in Finland; residence permit for startup entrepreneurs. In addition, the thresholds apply to the residence permit for a researcher when there is own funding involved. 
• The new income thresholds are not applicable to the residence permit for an employed person. However, a possible increase of the income threshold for that permit is currently under preparation. 
• New income thresholds also apply to permits for studies, au pairing and working holiday.

The new income requirements for work-based permits are as follows:

• The income threshold increases by 360 euros per each child starting from the third child.
• The sums presented in the table are net earnings.

For students, the income threshold is currently EUR 560 per month. Effective 1 November 2024, the threshold for students will be EUR 800 per month. The same income threshold will be applied to the residence permit issued for a student or researcher to look for work or to start a business. The income thresholds applicable to family members of students will increase as presented in the table above.

The income threshold for au pairs (the amount of pocket money) is currently EUR 280 per month. Effective 1 November 2024, the income threshold for au pairs will be EUR 340 per month.

The income threshold for working holiday applicants is currently EUR 2000 for the first three months. Effective 1 November 2024, the income threshold for working holiday applicants will be EUR 2450 for the first three months

7/5/24

Stricter requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship

Effective 1 October 2024, the period of residence required for Finnish citizenship will be extended from the current five years to eight years. In addition, only time lived in Finland under a residence permit will be taken into account when calculating the period of residence.

Government proposals for tightening the requirements related to integration and livelihood and introducing a citizenship test will be submitted to Parliament in autumn 2024 and spring 2025, respectively. 

In future, the extension of the required period of residence will also concern beneficiaries of international protection. In other words, once the amendment is in force, it will no longer be possible to derogate from the requirement on grounds of international protection. However, citizenship applications made by beneficiaries of international protection will be considered urgently, with the decision on granting citizenship made no later than one year after the applicant submitted their application.

Under this amendment, the residence requirement for children aged 15 or over, spouses of Finnish citizens, stateless persons and applicants meeting the language proficiency requirement will be extended to five years from the current four. The two-year residence requirement for Nordic citizens and spouses of persons working at Finnish missions abroad will remain unchanged.

Moreover, any stays in Finland without a residence permit will no longer be taken into account, in full or in part, under any circumstances when determining the period of residence. Similarly, the applicant's age, state of health or other comparable reason will no longer be grounds for approving a period of residence without a residence permit.

Only periods of residence with a residence permit will be taken into account when determining an applicant’s period of residence. This means that the time taken to process an asylum application will no longer count towards the period of residence. For beneficiaries of international protection in Finland, the approved period of residence will begin when they are issued a residence permit. 

The reform will also shorten the periods of absence that can be included in the continuous period of residence. During the entire continuous period of residence, the applicant may stay abroad for one year in total, and no more than three months of this period may take place during the year preceding naturalisation. The goal is to ensure that applicants receiving Finnish citizenship are actually living in Finland.

In 2023, altogether 11,594 people were granted citizenship based on an application. The extension of the residence requirement for citizenship will potentially apply to about 10,000 people each year.

Legislative amendments preventing evasion of entry rules

Effective 1 September 2024, new legislative amendments will prevent the evasion of provisions on entry more effectively than before.

The existing provision, which is subject to interpretation, will be replaced by new, more specific regulation. The Aliens Act will specify each situation in which a residence permit must be refused, including provision of false information, irregular stay, working illegally in Finland and marriage of convenience.

The amendments are intended to stop the practice of switching from an asylum procedure to a work-related immigration procedure in order to apply for a residence permit. Applicants for international protection or persons whose application has been rejected can no longer obtain a residence permit on the basis of employment, self-employment or studies.

This will prevent cases where an applicant applies for asylum with the sole aim of finding employment or studying in Finland.

With the amendment, applicants for a residence permit must verify their identity with a national travel document, with certain exceptions.

Biometric data may, in future, be added to alerts on return and on refusal of entry and stay stored in the Schengen Information System. This will improve the ability of the authorities to verify the identity of the person subject to the alert or to identify the person. 

Alerts help the authorities ensure that the obligation to return has been complied with, support the enforcement of return decisions and prevent persons from returning to the Schengen area if they are subject to an entry ban.

6/24/24

Automated post-decision monitoring of specialists’ residence permits

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced that it will start using automated post-decision monitoring of specialists’ residence permits from 17 June 2024.

The purpose of automated post-decision monitoring is to verify whether the holder of a residence permit for a specialist still meets the requirements for the permit. This post-decision monitoring initiative covers residence permits for a specialist issued on or after 1 January 2023.

A residence permit for a specialist can be granted to a person who arrives in Finland to work in an expert position that requires special expertise and meets all the permit requirements. Post-decision monitoring will focus on the key requirements for the permit. The Finnish Immigration Service will verify whether the specialist has been paid a salary that meets the income requirement, for example.

Automated post-decision monitoring is already being used to monitor the permits of students and startup entrepreneurs. Expanding the scope of post-decision monitoring to cover work-based residence permits is part of the Government’s action plan against labour exploitation.

6/7/24

Government proposes to increase income threshold for residence permits

On 6 June 2024, the government submitted a proposal to parliament that those arriving in Finland with a residence permit for employment should receive a monthly pay of at least EUR 1600. If the proposal is accepted, the amendments are scheduled to enter into force on 1 November 2024.

The income limit refers to the pay that a person must receive for work that they arrive in Finland to do. Other income is not included in the income limit. The income limit of EUR 1,600 corresponds with the minimum pay for full-time work based on collective agreements in several sectors where work-based immigration is needed.

A residence permit for an employed person currently requires payment in accordance with a collective agreement or the lower limit of the requirement for sufficient financial resources, that is, approximately EUR 1400. The pay must comply with the collective agreement in future too. However, the suggested EUR 1600 would be the minimum below which a residence permit for an employed person could not be granted.

All employees in sectors or groups of experts for which no separate residence permit exists apply for a residence permit for an employed person. Typically, these people are skilled workers. In 2023, around 13,000 persons applied for their first residence permit for an employed person and it was granted to approximately 10,000 people.

5/31/24

Application forms for work-based residence permits on Enter Finland to be updated on 5 June 2024

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migris) will update the online application forms for work-based residence permits on Enter Finland on 5 June 2024 from 17:00 to 23:50 (Finnish time). Enter Finland will be out of service during this update.

Application drafts that have been created before the update but have not been submitted will disappear from the service as a result of the update. Applicants who have a draft that they wish to submit should complete and submit the application before 17.00 on 5 June. Otherwise, they will have to restart and complete the entire application again after the update.

The update concerns the following residence permits:

• Residence permit for an employed person ('TTOL')
• Residence permit for a specialist
• EU Blue Card
• Residence permit for a person who has completed a qualification or degree or conducted research in Finland
• Residence permit for a researcher
• Residence permit for internship
• Residence permit for working holiday
• Residence permit for work in the top or middle management of a company
• Residence permit for a specialist, manager or trainee on the basis of intra-corporate transfer (‘ICT residence permit’)
• Residence permit for a consultant
• Residence permit for an athlete or a coach
• Residence permit for work in the field of culture or the arts
• Residence permit for work in the field of mass media
• Residence permit application for voluntary work
• Residence permit for a visiting teacher, lecturer or instructor 
• Residence permit for work in the service of a religious community
• Residence permit for work in an international organisation or in duties concerning official cooperation between states
• Residence permit for preparation of a company’s establishment in Finland and for supervision of orders
• Residence permit for delivery of a machine or system
• Residence permit for work that is part of an intergovernmental agreement

The update only concerns online application forms via Enter Finland.  Printable paper application forms for these permits will remain unchanged. The update does not affect application processing.

5/17/24

Updated salary requirement for EU Blue Card holders

Effective 13 May 2024, the salary requirement for an EU Blue Card as a highly-qualified worker will be lowered to the same level as that for a residence permit as a specialist. In 2024, the required monthly salary is EUR 3638.

Foreign nationals can apply for an EU Blue Card in Finland if

• they are coming to Finland for highly qualified employment (as a highly skilled worker);
• their salary is at least EUR 3638 in 2024; and
• they have completed a higher education degree that takes at least three years to complete, or they are a highly skilled worker.

Applicants must have confirmed employment lasting at least six months before applying for the permit.

An EU Blue Card can be granted for a maximum of two years. If the work lasts for less than two years, the EU Blue Card will be valid for the duration of the employment relationship and for three additional months thereafter.

5/6/24

Automated decisions possible for some citizenship applications

On 2 May 2024, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) will start issuing automated decisions on certain citizenship applications.

An automated decision is a decision that Migri’s system automatically makes on an application. The processing of an application may involve automated steps and steps taken by Migri specialists.

Migri’s system makes an automated decision only where this is possible under law. Automation is based on the rules formulated by the Finnish Immigration Service. The system uses these rules to check whether an application meets the requirements laid down in law.

Applicants can receive an automated decision on their application if they meet the following conditions:

• They have submitted the application and paid the processing fee via Enter Finland ;
• they submitted the application on or after 2 May 2024;
• they have completed the application with due care and have submitted all the required information and attachments;
• they meet all the requirements for acquiring Finnish citizenship. The application does not require individual assessment, such as granting an exemption from a requirement;
• they are at least 18 years old;
• they have not added any co-applicants to the application;
• they do not have a non-disclosure for personal safety reasons (dvv.fi)
• Migri does not need to ask for additional information from other authorities to process the application
• they hold the citizenship of a country other than Finland.

If the citizenship application cannot be decided using automation, applicants will receive a decision in accordance with the normal, manual process.

Service points and telephone service of the Finnish Immigration Service closed from 7 to 9 May 2024

All service numbers and service points of the Finnish Immigration Service are closed from 7 to 9 May 2024.

Most applications can be submitted using the online service Enter Finland. Applicants can also use Enter Finland to check the status of their application. Applications becomes pending when submitted in Enter Finland. Applicants then have three months to visit a service point to prove their identity.

Residence permit or travel document expiring on 7–9 May 2024

Applicants can submit their residence permit application online via Enter Finland and prove their identity at a service point later. They can book an appointment for their visit or take a waiting number at the service point. The following permits cannot be applied for via Enter Finland:

• residence permit on the grounds of Finnish origin
• residence permit on other grounds.

Extended permit or new residence permit card applications

Visiting a service point is not always required if an online application is submitted via Enter Finland using strong electronic identification (online banking credentials, citizen certificate or mobile certificate) to log in. After the application is submitted, Enter Finland will inform the applicant whether or not they need to visit a service point.

Those applying for a residence permit card on the basis of temporary protection should use Enter Finland to submit an online application. If they cannot apply online, they should submit the application at a service point during opening hours.

4/26/24

Automated decisions to renew residence documents available for some applicants

Effective 25 April 2024, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has introduced automated decision-making in renewing residence permit cards and residence cards.

An automated decision is a decision that Migri’s system automatically makes on an application. The processing of the application may involve automated steps and steps taken by Migri specialists.

The system makes an automated decision only where this is possible under law. Automation is based on the rules formulated by the Finnish Immigration Service. The system uses these rules to check whether an application meets the requirements laid down in law.

A card may be renewed automatically if the holder meets the following conditions:

• They hold a permanent residence permit or a permanent residence card for an EU citizen’s family member;
• Their right of residence is not based on the withdrawal agreement conducted between the European Union and the United Kingdom (meaning that you do not have a Brexit permit);
• They have applied for a new card on 25 April 2024 or thereafter;
• They have submitted all the information and documents required for renewing the card;
• They do not have a non-disclosure for personal safety reasons.

Automated post-decision monitoring of startup entrepreneurs’ residence permits to begin

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced that it will begin using automated post-decision monitoring of start-up entrepreneurs' residence permits on 24 April 2024. The purpose of post-decision monitoring is to verify that start-up entrepreneurs still meet the permit requirements.

A residence permit for a start-up entrepreneur can be granted to a person who establishes a start-up company or owns a recently founded company that aims for growth. Before applying for the permit, the entrepreneur must first obtain a positive eligibility statement from Business Finland. The Finnish Immigration Service will conduct automated monitoring of start-up entrepreneurs' residence permits that have entered into force on 1 January 2023 or later.

Post-decision monitoring focuses on the key requirements for the residence permit for start-up entrepreneurs. One of the monitored parameters is whether the entrepreneur has moved to Finland. Migri may conduct automatic register checks in a selection of national registers, including the registers of Kela, the Incomes Register and the Population Information System of Finland.

The Finnish Immigration Service has carried out post-decision monitoring since 2017. Automated post-decision monitoring was used for the first time in the autumn of 2023 to help monitor students’ residence permits.

3/2/24

Thailand applications for wild berry picker visas suspended

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has decided to suspend the reception of wild-berry pickers’ visa applications in Thailand. The suspension applies to all applicants in countries within the consular district of the Embassy of Finland in Bangkok: Thailand, Cambodia and Myanmar. This means that Schengen visas will not be issued to wild-berry pickers from these countries for the summer 2024 harvest season.

Visas for wild-berry picking have been issued on the assumption that pickers enter the country for a purpose comparable to tourism, collect wild berries freely under the right of public access (‘Everyman’s Right’) and sell the natural products that they have harvested to the party of their choice. However, it is evident that the current practice in the sector contradicts this assumption. It has come to the Foreign Ministry’s attention that wild-berry pickers have generally entered into employment contracts.

The charges and suspicions related to aggravated trafficking in human beings involve hundreds of victims. The clear and serious risk of exploitation and trafficking of human beings must be taken into account when visa applications are considered. As the visa authority and the authority guiding the issuing of visas by the missions, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs takes the exploitation of Thai wild-berry pickers very seriously.

The Government’s aim is to find a comprehensive long-term solution to the entry of wild-berry pickers into Finland from the 2025 harvest season onwards.

Visa applications of applicants other than berry pickers will continue to be received and processed as usual at the Embassy of Finland in Bangkok, and the applications will be individually processed in accordance with the Visa Code.

2/9/24

No more service point visits for child applications

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced that children (aged under 18 years) are no longer required to visit a service point when applying for an extended permit, a new residence permit card or a new residence card via the Enter Finland account of their parent or guardian.

The parent or guardian must use strong identity authentication to access Enter Finland and must include the child’s customer number when completing the child’s application.

To avoid having to visit a service point, the application must be for one of the following reasons:

• The card will expire soon;
• The card is lost or stolen;
• The card is so worn out that the information on it is unreadable;
• A passport containing a residence permit sticker is about to expire.

1/5/24

Increased financial requirement for Schengen visas

Effective 1 January 2024, Finland has increased the daily financial requirement for short-stay visitors to EUR 50 per day of stay (previously EUR 30). This financial requirement applies to visits of no more than 90 days. The financial requirement is raised as it has been lagging behind the cost of living.

Also effective 1 January 2024, Finland has introduced a proof of sponsorship and/or accommodation form, which allows visa applicants to finance their visit using the funds of the inviting party. This applies Article 14.4 of the EU’s Visa Code.

With the introduction of the proof of sponsorship, the fact that a Finnish citizen or a person residing in Finland with a residence permit undertakes to finance the travel of the visa applicant may be taken into account in the visa consideration. The inviting party must fill in a proof of sponsorship form to be attached to the visa application.

Increased processing fees

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has announced an increase to certain of its processing fees, effective 1 January 2024.

The key changes are as follows:

• The processing fees for permanent residence permits will be different depending on whether you apply online in Enter Finland or submit a paper application. The fee for an online application for a permanent residence permit will be EUR 220. The processing fee for a paper application will be EUR 270. Before the changes, the fee was EUR 160 for both paper and online applications.
• The processing fee for a citizenship application submitted online will be EUR 490. Previously, the fee was EUR 460.
• The processing fee for an online application for a first residence permit for an employed person will be EUR 540. Previously, the fee was EUR 490. 
• The processing fee for an online application for an extended permit will be EUR 170. Previously, the fee was EUR 160. 
• The fee for renewing a residence permit card will be different depending on whether you submit the application online in advance or apply for a new card at a service point without having filled in an application form beforehand. The processing fee for an online application will be EUR 60. Without an online application, the processing fee will be EUR 75. Previously, the fee was EUR 54 in both cases.

12/15/23

Processing backlog in family applications

The processing of application files on the basis of family ties is currently backlogged. Currently, around 11,800 applications are awaiting a decision.

The Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) notes that the number of applications has increased dramatically over the last two years. In 2021, there were around 26,000 applications based on family ties, whereas in 2022 the figure was around 32,000. This year, the number of pending applications is expected to rise to 40,000. The increase in applications is around 50% compared to 2021.

However, Migri claims that the backlog does not affect the majority of applications based on family ties. In 2023, more than 60% of applications based on family ties have been decided in less than three months and 76% will be decided in less than six months from the date of application.

The majority of applicants have received a positive decision. In 2022, a total of 17,476 decisions were taken on first residence permits based on family ties and 11,589 decisions on subsequent permits, totalling around 29,000 decisions. In 2023, around 35,000 decisions have already been made, and for the year as a whole, the estimate is 37,500 decisions. Of these, the proportion of positive decisions is around 93% for the first permits and around 96% for subsequent permits

Migri offers the following reminders for applicants for a residence permit on the basis of family ties:

1. Fill in the application carefully. 
2. Have documents legalised before submitting the application. 
3. If there are any changes in the family relationships, inform the Finnish Immigration Service. 
4. Remember to renew the passport if it is about to expire.

12/8/23

Appointment booking update

Appointments can now be booked for identity checks at service points in early 2024 for applicants for new residence cards or for Finnish citizenship.

From 2 January 2024, the time required for renewing a residence card, applying for citizenship or submitting a citizenship application at the service point will be 20 minutes. Until the end of 2023, 30 minutes must be allowed for these applications.

Applicants should note that applying for a new residence card is different from applying for an extension. An application for a new residence card can be made in the following cases:

• Permanent residence permit (P) holders whose residence card is about to expire or has expired; or
• valid residence permit (A, B or P permit) holders if
  • the residence card is lost; or
  • the residence card is damaged and illegible; or
  • the personal data on the residence card have changed.

Applicants should complete the application form in advance using the Enter Finland e-service.

• Those who log in to Enter Finland with, for example, their online banking credentials don't necessarily need to visit a service point.
• Those applying for citizenship who cannot use Enter Finland should complete a paper application before visiting the service point. Applications for the residence card renewal are available online only.

Appointments should be booked via the appointment service.

The appointment service will be updated on 2 January 2024. After that, all appointments for the renewal of the residence permit card, the citizenship application or the citizenship declaration will be 20 minutes.

10/20/2023

Pilot of automated decision-making for residence permits for study

Effective 19 October 2023, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) has started using automated decision-making in the processing of residence permits for study. Negative decisions and decisions that require individual consideration are not issued automatically.

Migri issues an automated decision if the application meets all the requirements for issuing the permit, including proof of identity in person and payment of the processing fee. The full list of requirements is here.

Migri is first testing automated decision-making with residence permit applications submitted by degree students at universities and by all exchange students. Based on the results, automation will later be expanded to include other customer groups.

Automated processing is intended to standardize the processing of applications and to free up specialists’ time to work on cases which need individual consideration or further clarification. Migri aims at an average processing time of no more than one month for residence permits for employed persons and students.

10/13/23

Extension of temporary protection

Finland is implementing the extension of the temporary protection mechanism agreed by the Council of the European Union on 28 September 2023.

The temporary protection mechanism was originally activated on 24 February 2022 and will now be extended until 4 March 2025.

According to the decision of the Council of the European Union, the extension of temporary protection applies to

• Ukrainian citizens and family members of Ukrainian citizens who resided in Ukraine on 24 February 2022;
• Those who were granted international protection in Ukraine before 24 February 2022 or who are a family member of a person who was granted international protection in Ukraine;
• Those who resided in Ukraine with a permanent residence permit on 24 February 2022 and who cannot return to their home country or region of origin in safe and durable conditions.

In March 2022, the Finnish government extended temporary protection to 

• Ukrainian citizens who had left Ukraine before the start of the war and
• third-country nationals who were residing in Ukraine with a non-permanent residence permit. The decision concerning these third-country nationals was repealed by decision of the Government on 7 September 2023. Third-country nationals are citizens of countries that have not joined the European Union or the Schengen Agreement. 

In the next few weeks, the government will decide whether to continue granting temporary protection to these persons as well.

Qualifying residents whose residence permit on the basis of temporary protection is extended will be sent a letter containing information about the extension. Current holders should make sure that their reception centre has their current address, telephone number and email address. If they are not registered as client of a reception centre, they should make sure that the Finnish Immigration Service has their contact details.

They will also receive a text message stating that their permit has been extended. The message will be in Finnish and English. It will contain a link to our website: migri.fi/uk/timcasovij-zahist. The sender of the message is ‘Migri’.

If the permit is not extended, the authorities will send a letter with further instructions. It is not currently possible to apply for a new card that is valid until 4 March 2025.

9/29/23

Automatic post-decision monitoring of student residence permits

Effective 28 September 2023, the Finnish Immigration Service will carry out post-decision monitoring of the residence permits of degree-level students to check whether the holder still meets the requirements for the permit.

Holders of residence permits granted since 1 June 2022 will be monitored to check whether they have started their studies, are making progress in their studies and have a valid right to study, among other criteria.

The automatic post-decision monitoring is based on automatic register checks. The Finnish Immigration Service can run register checks on different national registers, such Kela’s register, the Finnish National Agency for Education’s Koski register, and the Population Information System registers. Based on the results of the register checks, officials of the Finnish Immigration Service will assess whether the requirements for a residence permit are still met and decide whether to withdraw the permit, on a case-by-case basis.

If a permit holder’s residence permit is withdrawn, the holder has 30 days from the date they receive the decision to request a review of the decision. Usually, the holder’s right to work remains, and they can reside in Finland until their request for review is processed.

The legislation covering students’ residence permits was amended in 2022, so that a residence permit for studies is granted for the entire duration of the studies and students do not necessarily need to apply for an extended permit at any point. Before the legislative amendments, the requirements for the permit were checked when students applied for an extended permit.

9/22/23

Immigration service points can now be used by citizenship applicants and new Enter Finland users

Effective immediately, individuals can avoid visiting a service point of the Finnish Immigration Service in more circumstances.

Customers are no longer required to visit a service point to prove their identity if they use Enter Finland

• to apply for Finnish citizenship (and their children are not applying at the same time); or
• to apply for an extended permit, a new residence permit card or a new residence card and they submit the application from a new Enter Finland account (i.e. a first-time online application).

Previously, avoiding a visit to a service point has been possible for customers who apply for an extended permit, a new residence permit card or residence card if they have had an Enter Finland account and have previously used it to submit an application.

To avoid visiting a service point, applicants must log in to Enter Finland using strong authentication (using their Finnish online banking ID, mobile certificate or citizen certificate). If they have previously created an account with an email address, they should change the login method to strong authentication. They must also submit a photograph retrieval code from the photo shop where they had their passport taken (if relevant) and pay the processing fee before sending the application.

9/15/23

Certain non-EU nationals no longer eligible for temporary protection

Effective 7 September 2023, Finland will not issue residence permits on the basis of temporary protection to third-country nationals and stateless persons who have resided in Ukraine on the basis of a temporary residence permit. Third-country nationals are citizens of countries that have not joined the European Union or the Schengen Agreement.

The change does not apply to

• Ukrainian citizens and their family members;
• Persons who have been granted international protection in Ukraine and their family members; or
• persons who have resided in Ukraine with a permanent residence permit if they are unable to return to their home country in safe and durable conditions.

The change applies to applications for temporary protection that have been submitted on 7 September 2023 or later. The Finnish Immigration Service will decide applications submitted before 7 September 2023 in accordance with the previous decision-making practice.

Residence permits already granted in Finland on the basis of temporary protection are valid until 4 March 2024.

Third-country nationals and stateless persons applying for temporary protection in Finland must show proof of their family ties to a Ukrainian citizen or that they have been granted international protection in Ukraine, that their family member has been granted international protection in Ukraine or that they have a permanent residence permit in Ukraine.

For example, they can show their marriage certificate, a birth certificate for a child who is a Ukrainian citizen, a certificate of refugee status issued by Ukraine or a permanent residence permit granted in Ukraine.

For those who have resided in Ukraine with a permanent residence permit, the Finnish Immigration Service (Migri) will investigate whether they can return to their home country in safe and durable conditions. If it cannot be assessed whether the applicant is able to return to their home country, Migri will advise the applicant to apply for asylum.

3/8/24

New youth mobility agreement 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment of Finland have announced that the Canada–Finland Youth Mobility Agreement, signed on 19 May 2023, took effect on 1 March 2024.

This agreement will allow Canadian and Finnish nationals aged 18 to 35 to work and travel in each other’s country.

International Experience Canada (IEC) enables working holidays between Canada and over 35 partner countries. Citizens of partner countries who do not have a job offer but want to work in more than one location and/or for more than one employer in Canada may qualify for an open work permit.

Finland already has working holiday agreements in place with Australia (2002), New Zealand (2004) and Japan (2023). An individual applicant may be granted a residence permit on the basis of the agreement once on each of the three grounds (working holiday agreement, work or internship). Each time, a residence permit can be granted for up to a year

April 2025 - Changes in the French language assessment for nationality and long-term residence

From 12 May 2025, the TCF Integration, Residence and Nationality (IRN) test will allow candidates to be evaluated up to level B2.

Following the promulgation of Law No. 2024-42 of January 26, 2024, the new government requirements for mastery of French are evolving and will be applied by the authorities no later than 1 January 2026:

• For naturalization, a B2 level will be required (currently B1 required);
• For a resident card, a B1 level will be required (currently A2 required);
• For a multi-year residence card, an A2 level will be required (currently none required).

To anticipate these new requirements, the TCF IRN is adapting and allowing candidates to be evaluated up to level B2 from 12 May 2025.

Only the comprehension tests undergo modifications:

• The listening test will increase from 20 to 25 questions and from 15 to 20 minutes;
• The reading test will increase from 20 to 25 questions and from 20 to 35 minutes.

TCF IRN B1 certificates are valid for naturalization until the promulgation of the decree (date of publication unknown to date).

For other applications (resident card and multi-year residence card), these certificates remain valid until their expiry date.

11/8/24

Minimum wage increased

A 2% increase in the minimum wage took effect on 1 November 2024.

The gross annual minimum wage is now EUR 21,621.60.

As a result, the following thresholds for various immigration statuses are also modified:

• Talent Passport - Employee on assignment: EUR 38,918.88
• Talent Passport - Qualified employee/Employee of a JEI/Employee of an innovative company: EUR 43,243.20
• Talent Passport - Company director: EUR 64,864.80
• Talent Passport – New business: EUR 21,621.60 (sufficient financial means).

The minimum salary for an EU Blue Card remains unchanged at EUR 53,836.50.

8/2/24

Contract of commitment must now be signed by residence applicants

Among several decrees issued on 14 and 16 July 2024 which implement the Immigration Law of 26 January 2024, one requires residence applicants to sign a contract stating that they undertake to respect the principles of the French Republic.

These principles include:

• personal freedom;
• freedom of expression and conscience;
• gender equality;
• respect for the dignity of all human beings without discrimination of any kind;
• the principle of secularism;
• the currency and symbols of the Republic.

Effective 17 July 2024, the Republican Integration Contract (CIR) must be signed and is valid for a period of one year.

Signatories agree to respect the principles and values of the French business and the French Republic and to follow with seriousness and diligence the training which are requested of them.

The CIR is the first stage of their integration pathway in France which includes the following actions:

• Civic training on the values, principles and institutions of the French Republic, on the rights and duties linked to life in France and on the organization of the French business
• Language training
• Career guidance advice and support to help find a job
• Support adapted to their needs to facilitate their conditions of reception and integration.

More information is available here.

5/17/24

Residence permit holders will receive expiry notifications

The Directorate General of Foreigners (DGEF) has launched a new digital notification system to help residence permit holders to remember to renew their permission on time.

Foreign nationals holding a residence permit issued as part of an application submitted online via the ANEF system will be alerted simultaneously by email and SMS of the imminent arrival of the period within which their renewal application must be submitted.

The system will send out two sets of notifications – the first four months before expiry and the second two months and one week before expiry.

Residence permit holders must apply for renewal no earlier than four months and no later than two months before the expiry of the permit. A renewal request after the expiry of this period is subject to a late payment fee of EUR 180.

3/1/24

New immigration law takes effect

On 26 January 2024, the new law “controlling immigration while improving integration” was enacted by the President.  

This law aims to strengthen the integration of foreign citizens in three ways: learning and mastering French, respecting the principles of the Republic, and integration through work. 

The changes include: 

• The modification of the designation of the residence permit “talent passport” to “talent residence permit” in order to limit the confusion caused by the use of the word “passport”;  
• The merger of residence permits issued for the purposes of new business, innovative business projects, and business investor into a single residence permit called “innovative business project”.   
• The merger of residence permits issued to young, qualified graduates, employees of an innovative new company and employees on assignment into a single residence permit called “talent-qualified employee”;   
• The creation of a new residence permit for medical professionals called “medical and pharmacy professional talent”; 
• Enhancement of French language learning. Proficiency levels in French are specified for different types of residence permits. Companies are encouraged to contribute to the linguistic training of their foreign employees; 
• A new regularization pathway is introduced for illegal immigrant workers in sectors facing labour shortages; 
• Improvements for issuing residence permits will be based on a comprehensive experimentation of applications. Three regional platforms will be launched for pre-instruction of residence permits and renewal will be simplified through the Digital Administration for Foreign nationals in France by 2025;
• Sanctions for the employment of foreign workers without proper work permits are increased.

1/27/24

New immigration law published

On 27 January 2024, the new immigration law took effect.

The principle changes affecting work immigration include:

• A new residence permit for health care professionals;
• French language proficiency requirements for certain residence categories;
• Limited renewals in certain residence categories;
• Stricter family reunification rules;
• A temporary (until the end of 2026), new, one-year (renewable) residence permit category for foreign workers in France who are undocumented and have been resident in France for at least three years, and employed for at least 12 of the previous 24 months. This category regularizes certain undocumented workers and allows them to work in sectors and areas which are experiencing labour shortages.

A clause providing British nationals owning a second-home in France with an automatic long-stay visa was rejected by the Constitutional Court on 25 January 2024, along with 31 other provisions of the new law.

Nationality application now online

Effective 6 February 2024, foreign nationals can apply directly for French nationality online.

It is no longer necessary to travel to the prefectural office to submit an application, or to send the application by post.

Applicants can track the progress of their application online and upload any additional documents supporting required. It will only be necessary to appear in person for an integration interview during processing, and for the welcome ceremony if the application is successful.

12/1/23

Mutual visa agreement for investors

Effective 16 November 2023, a new visa and residence permit mechanism for French and US investors allows US investors and their family members to access a fast-track process for obtaining visas and four-year “passeport talent” residence permits.

At the same time, French citizens wishing to invest in the US are now eligible for US Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas valid for four-years, up from 25 months.

"Passeport talent" residence permits allow stays of up to four years for highly-qualified employees, intra-company transferees, employees of “new innovative enterprises”, business creators, investors and performers, among others.

Treaty Trader (E-1) and Treaty Investor (E-2) visas are for citizens of countries with which the United States maintains treaties of commerce and navigation, including France. Applicants must be going to the United States to engage in substantial trade, including trade in services or technology, in qualifying activities, principally between the United States and the treaty country; to develop and direct the operations of an enterprise in which they have invested a substantial amount of capital; or to fill an executive/supervisory role or provide skills essential to the operations of a firm that qualifies as an E-1 or E-2 business.

March 2025 - Government launches Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons

On 18 March 2025, the government launched the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Invited Persons to provide more convenient immigration arrangements for invited persons from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) countries, in order to promote economic and trade exchanges and cultural co-operation between Hong Kong and ASEAN.

Currently, frequent travellers to Hong Kong can apply for self-service immigration clearance. Among the 10 ASEAN countries, visitors from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam need a visa for visiting Hong Kong.

Under the Scheme, relevant policy bureaux/departments will actively invite ASEAN nationals who are able to make considerable contributions to Hong Kong's economic development or who have been invited to attend important events in Hong Kong to enjoy the facilitation. The Immigration Department (ImmD) will provide one-stop processing of relevant applications from invited persons through an electronic platform, relax the application criteria for self-service immigration clearance and simplify the information required for visa applications.

Details of the new facilitations are shown in the below table from the Immigration Department website: 

Note that the period of stay for nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Malaysia, and Singapore, who are currently enjoying a visa-free period of 90 days on each visit, will remain unchanged.

Feb 2025 - New application fee and raised visa fee for talent and capital investment admission schemes introduced

The 2025-26 Budget announced that a new application fee will be introduced under various admission schemes to attract talent and capital investors, and the visa/entry permit issuance fees for approved applications will be raised based on the length of the limit of stay to peg to their costs and reflect the "user pays" principle.

The government has announced that, to implement these fees, the Immigration (Amendment) Regulation 2025 has been published in the Gazette and came into effect from 11am on 26 February 2025.

With effect from that time, principal applicants under specified admission schemes and their dependants are required to pay an application fee of HKD 600 for each application under a specified admission scheme for entry, change of conditions of stay or extension of limit of stay.

In addition, the visa/entry permit fee for an approved application is increased, based on the length of the limit of stay, from the original flat rate of HKD 230 to HKD 600 (with a limit of stay of 180 days or below) or HKD 1300 (with a limit of stay of 181 days or more).

Pursuant to the amended Immigration Regulations (Cap. 115 sub. leg. A), the Director of Immigration has specified that the above fees apply to the following admission schemes:

• Top Talent Pass Scheme;
• General Employment Policy;
• Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals;
• Quality Migrant Admission Scheme;
• Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates;
• Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents;
• New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme;
• Capital Investment Entrant Scheme;
• Technology Talent Admission Scheme; and
• Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme.

The existing fees applicable to other types of visas/entry permits other than those applied under the specified schemes remain unchanged.

Talent List updated

On 18 February 2025, the government announced that the latest round of the Talent List update has been completed.

The new Talent List will take effect from 1 March 2025 and cover 60 professions with local talent shortages. Foreign national talents who meet the eligibility criteria for relevant professions can enjoy immigration facilitation when applying under the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS), the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP).

​Following the update, the Talent List will include nine newly added professions from the industry segments of financial services (accountants, financial professionals with Islamic market experience and experienced professionals in commodities trading), innovation and technology (experienced systems architects and patent professionals), legal and dispute resolution services (legal knowledge engineers) and aviation and shipping (ship surveyors, professionals in green shipping and aircraft maintenance engineers). 

The Chief Executive announced last year that the government would update the Talent List in early 2025 to include top talents and professionals required for the development of industries related to the "eight centres" with a view to generating new impetus for their growth.

The Labour and Welfare Bureau and relevant bureaux and departments updated the professions covered in the Talent List in consultation with stakeholders including industry organisations of various sectors, major business chambers, the Human Resources Planning Commission and the Labour Advisory Board.

The updated List, detailed specifications of individual professions and the guidance note for applying under applicable admission schemes have been uploaded to the dedicated website (www.talentlist.gov.hk) and the website of Hong Kong Talent Engage (www.hkengage.gov.hk).

Those interested in submitting applications for the admission schemes can visit the electronic application platform of the Immigration Department and submit applications.

The government drew up the first List in 2018 with a view to attracting high-quality talent. The List was reviewed and expanded in 2021 and 2023 respectively. Under the GEP and the ASMTP, employers who seek to fill vacancies falling under the professions on the List are not required to provide proof to substantiate their difficulties in local recruitment when making applications, thus shortening the time to recruit outside talents. Furthermore, since the revamp of the QMAS that took effect on 1 November 2024 last year, eligible applicants who meet the requirements of the List will be favourably considered under the General Points Test of the QMAS after assessment.

Jan 2025

Visit visa rules relaxed

Effective 15 January 2025, the visa-free period for nationals of Saudi Arabia to visit the Hong Kong SAR is extended to 90 days.

Also from 15 January 2025, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport holders can apply for a tourist visa upon arrival through six designated control points in Saudi Arabia.

The tourist visa can be either a single-entry visa for a maximum stay of 30 days, or a multiple-entry visa for a maximum stay of 90 days.

Hong Kong SAR passport holders may also apply for an eVisa to visit Saudi Arabia prior to their visit

Expanded online visa applications

Effective 17 January 2025, the Immigration Department (ImmD) has adjusted the application submission procedure of the following admission policies/schemes:

• General Employment Policy (including both employment and investment as entrepreneurs);
• Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals;
• Capital Investment Entrant Scheme;
• Training;
• Working Holiday Scheme; and
• Residence as Dependants.

Applicants for the aforementioned admission schemes must submit their applications for visas, entry permits and extensions of stay online from that date. The ImmD will no longer accept such applications submitted in person, or by post or drop-in-box. The eligibility and approval criteria for the relevant policies/schemes remain unchanged. After submitting the applications, applicants can also upload supplementary documents and/or inquire as to the status of applications online if necessary.
 
Electronic services for a visa application allow applicants to complete the entire process of an application submission, payment and collection of an "e-Visa" through the ImmD mobile application, the ImmD's website (www.immd.gov.hk/eng/index.html) or the GovHK website (www.gov.hk/en/nonresidents/), without having to visit an Immigration Office in person.

11/19/24

Top Talent Pass Scheme and Quality Migrant Admission Scheme updated

On 1 November 2024, the government announced the following measures to enhance the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS) and the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS).

1. Expanding the list of eligible universities under the TTPS

There were originally 185 eligible universities under the TTPS. Effective 1 November 2024, 13 top Mainland and overseas universities/institutions are added to the list of eligible universities under the TTPS, making a total of 198 eligible schools. The newly added universities/institutions include:

(a) nine Mainland universities ranked from 11th to 20th under the Shanghai Jiao Tong University Best Chinese Universities Ranking in the past five years but yet to be included in the original list of eligible universities, namely, Sichuan University; Beihang University; Southeast University; Beijing Institute of Technology; Tongji University; Renmin University of China; Beijing Normal University; Nankai University and Tianjin University; and

(b) four top-five specialised institutions on the QS World University Rankings in the discipline of "Art and Design" in the past five years, namely, Royal College of Art; University of the Arts London; Parsons School of Design, The New School; and Rhode Island School of Design.

The expanded list of eligible universities/institutions has been uploaded to the webpage of the Immigration Department (ImmD) and Hong Kong Talent Engage.

2. Extending the validity period of the first visas of Category A applications under the TTPS to three years

Category A applicants under the TTPS are those with an annual income reaching HKD 2.5 million or above in the year immediately preceding the date of application. For applicants with approval given from 16 October 2024, the validity period of their first visa has been extended from two years to three years to facilitate their early planning to move to Hong Kong with their families. 

The new measure also applies to around 21 000 Category A applicants whose applications were approved before 16 October 2024. They may, starting from today onwards, apply to the ImmD for an extension of stay within three months before their limit of stay expires, and will be granted extension of stay for one year unconditionally. If they have secured offers of employment, or have established or joined in a business in Hong Kong upon applying for an extension, they may be granted an extension of stay for up to three years after submitting relevant proof.

3. Enhancing the assessment criteria and arrangements of the General Points Test under the QMAS

Effective 1 November 2024, the Government has enhanced the General Points Test (GPT) under the QMAS by adopting a more objective and clear scoring criteria, and streamlining the application and selection process. 

The enhanced GPT replaces the original item-by-item scoring system with an assessment questionnaire. Applicants are required to confirm if they meet the 12 assessment criteria in the questionnaire under six major aspects, namely age, academic qualifications, language proficiency, work experience, annual income and business ownership, and submit supporting documents. The applicants can submit applications if they meet at least six assessment criteria.

The ImmD will pass eligible applications received to a newly established assessment panel for further selection. The assessment panel is chaired by the Secretary for Labour and Welfare with other relevant bureau secretaries as members. Based on the deliberation outcome, the assessment panel will provide advice to the Director of Immigration for his approval decision. 

There will be no annual quotas under the enhanced GPT.

For applications submitted under the original GPT before implementation of the enhancement measures, the ImmD will continue the processing in accordance with the original criteria and procedures, and conclude the assessment as soon as possible.

The electronic application platform for the enhanced GPT has commenced operation.

Full-time non-local undergraduate students temporarily exempted from restrictions on taking up part-time jobs

Effective 1 November 2024, full-time non-local undergraduates are temporarily exempted from the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs.

Since November 2023, the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs for full-time non-local postgraduate students of locally accredited local programmes have been temporarily exempted. With a "No Objection Letter" (NOL) issued by the Immigration Department (ImmD), full-time non-local postgraduate students are allowed to take up part-time employment. No restrictions are imposed on the number of hours or the location of the part-time work. 

The ImmD will issue NOLs setting out the suspension arrangement to all eligible students through their institutions. They are not required to submit applications separately. Students approved for visas/entry permits on or after November 1 will also be issued with the NOLs.

6/28/24

Old identity cards to be invalidated in phases in 2025

The government has announced that, following the conclusion of the Territory-wide Identity Card Replacement Exercise (Replacement Exercise) on March 3 2023, the old form of smart identity cards issued before 26 November 2018 (old ID cards), will be invalidated in two phases in 2025.   
 
Phase I of the invalidation exercise will cover holders of old ID cards born in 1970 or after, whose old cards will become invalid on 12 May 2025. Phase II of the invalidation exercise will cover holders of old ID cards born in 1969 or before, whose old cards will become invalid on 12 October 2025.

“Old identity cards” refers to smart identity cards issued between 23 June 2003 and 25 November 2018, or issued on or after 26 November 2018 as a result of an application made before that date.

If the old ID cards have not been replaced, they will be invalidated on the specified dates in accordance with the Invalidation Order.

The Invalidation Order covers all Hong Kong residents, whether they are permanent residents or non-permanent residents who are permitted to take up employment, make investments, reside or study in Hong Kong, or residents of residential care homes who are eligible for the On-site Identity Card Replacement Service.
 
According to the Immigration Department (ImmD), residents still holding old ID cards should make appointments for replacement as soon as possible. Those who are unable to have their ID cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to absence from Hong Kong should replace their ID cards within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong. Failure to apply for a new ID card within the specified call-up periods without a reasonable excuse is an offence. Offenders may be prosecuted and be liable to a fine of HKD 5000 upon conviction.

The aged, the blind or the infirm who satisfy a registration officer that their personal attendance for registration of Hong Kong ID cards will injure their health or the health of others may, instead of applying for replacement of a new ID card, apply for a Certificate of Exemption.
 
The invalidation of old ID cards will not affect the right of abode in Hong Kong of the holders of old ID cards unless he or she has lost permanent resident status under the Immigration Ordinance.
 
Members of the public can apply for replacement of new ID cards at the Registration of Persons (ROP) - Kwun Tong (Temporary) Office or during the extended service hours at the four designated ROP offices, viz. Hong Kong Office, Kowloon Office, Tseung Kwan O Office or Tuen Mun Office.Members of the public may use the ImmD mobile application, visit the website (www.gov.hk/icbooking) or call the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2598 0888 to make an appointment for ID card application at any aforementioned ROP offices.

4/4/24

New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme

The New Capital Investment Entrant Scheme opened for application on 1 March 2024.

An eligible applicant must make investment of a minimum of HK$30 million in the permissible investment assets, including investing a minimum of HK$27 million in the permissible financial assets and non-residential real estate (at Annex), and placing HK$3 million into a new CIES Investment Portfolio.

The Portfolio will be set up and managed by the Hong Kong Investment Corporation Limited to make investments in companies/projects with a Hong Kong nexus, with a view to supporting the development of innovation and technology industries and other strategic industries that are beneficial to the long-term development of Hong Kong's economy.

A successful applicant may bring dependants (including spouse and unmarried dependent children aged under 18) to Hong Kong. Permission to stay will normally be granted to them for two years. Upon expiry of the two-year period, they may apply for an extension of stay for three years, and may subsequently apply for further extensions of stay for three years upon the expiry of each three-year period.

They may, upon a period of continuous ordinary residence in Hong Kong of not less than seven years, apply to become Hong Kong permanent residents in accordance with the law. If an applicant is unable to fulfil the continuous ordinary residence requirement, while continuously satisfying the financial requirements under the new CIES for not less than seven years, he/she may apply for an unconditional stay in Hong Kong. If the application is approved, the applicant will be free to dispose of the invested assets.

Invest Hong Kong is responsible for assessing whether the applications fulfil the financial requirements under the Scheme, and the Immigration Department is responsible for assessing the applications for visa/entry permit and extension of stay.

11/3/23

Talent Engage office opens

The Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) office opened in Hong Kong on 30 October 2023. Following the launch of the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) online platform last year, the physical office will provide support for incoming talents and follow up with their development and needs after arrival.

The office will also partner with different organizations as well as the Dedicated Teams for Attracting Businesses & Talents under the Government's Mainland and overseas offices, to get the needed information and services for the incoming talent.

In 2024, the government will organize a "Global Talent Summit cum Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area High-quality Talent Development Conference" to promote regional exchange and co-operation in talent attraction.

10/27/23

New immigration measures announced

In his annual policy address on 25 October 2023, the Chief Executive announced

the following measures intended to attract more foreign investment and skilled workers to Hong Kong:

• Effective 26 October 2023, foreign national staff of companies registered in Hong Kong may apply with the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre in Hong Kong for "multiple-entry visas" valid for two or more years to mainland China, enjoying priority processing.
• Following the launch of the Hong Kong Talent Engage (HKTE) online platform last year, a physical office will be established by the end of October 2023. The office will provide support for incoming talents and follow up with their development and needs after arrival. In 2024, the government will organise a "Global Talent Summit cum Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area High-quality Talent Development Conference" to promote regional exchange and co-operation in talent attraction.
• Effective November 2023, the government will add eight “top-notch” institutions from mainland China and overseas to the list of eligible universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme, making a total of 184 institutions.
• Effective 25 October 2023, the government will relax the visa policy in respect of employment for Vietnamese talents and the criteria for Vietnamese applying for "multiple-entry visas" for business and travel. It will also relax the visa policy for Laotian and Nepalese talents for employment, training and study in University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions.
• Under the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme, eligible investors who make investments of HKD 30 million or above in assets such as stocks, funds, bonds, etc. (excluding real estate) can apply for entry into Hong Kong. Details of the scheme will be announced by the end of 2023.
• To alleviate the manpower shortage in skilled trades, starting from the 2024/25 admission cohort, non-local students of designated full-time professional Higher Diploma programmes of the Vocational Training Council (VTC) will be allowed to stay in Hong Kong for one year after graduation to seek jobs relevant to their disciplines. The Vocational Professionals Admission Scheme will be a pilot arrangement and will be reviewed after two years.

3/15/24

New immigration law takes effect

A new immigration law, published 1 January 2024 in Hungary, introduces major changes and stricter conditions to existing regulations for third-country nationals (TCNs).

The application of the new regulations began on 1 March 2024. Pending implementation, the submission of new applications from TCNs was suspended, except those involving residence permits 'of national interest' based on ministerial approval. In cases where an application was submitted before 31 December 2023, the old regulations still apply. The validity of residence permits and permanent residence permits expiring between 1 January 2024 and 29 February 2024 was automatically extended until 30 April 2024.

The previous immigration law in Hungary specified 18 types of residence permits. The new regulation outlines 24 types, including 8 for the purpose of employment. The residence permit for other purposes (known as the single permit) has been abolished and the new law introduces separate categories of work permits for highly-skilled workers (“Hungarian Card”), guest workers, posted workers, Serbian and Ukrainian nationals (“National Card”) and investors.

The guest worker residence permit will only be granted, by law, to those employed by specified employers, from specified countries, and in specified occupations. Moreover, the guest worker permit can only be extended for a limited period, up to a total of three years. After this period the permit cannot be extended, and a new application must be submitted. Guest workers, therefore, are not entitled to permanent residence in Hungary, or to family reunification.

The new law also introduces a so-called “golden visa”. From 1 July 2024, the guest-investor visa and residence permit will be available, allowing a residence of 10+10 years for a minimum real estate fund investment of 250 000 EUR. The detailed provisions for this have not yet been published.

Effective 1 January 2025, certain residence permits can only be extended if the relevant applicant fulfils the conditions of 'social coexistence', which must be proved by taking an exam in Hungarian about Hungarian history and culture.

The law also introduces a shorter validity for entry visas issued for the collection of residence permits, and stricter notification rules.

March 2025

Longer processing time for expedited processing of residence permit applications based on work

The Directorate of Immigration has noted that the service fee for expedited processing of residence permit applications based on work only covers the part of the application process that relates to processing of a residence permit with the Directorate of Immigration. It does not cover the issuance of a work permit by the Directorate of Labour. However, a work permit is a condition for the issuance of a residence permit on the basis of work.

The processing time for work permit applications in the expedited procedure at the Directorate of Labour is now seven weeks. Information on the processing time is published on the website of the Directorate of Labour.

As a result, the Directorate of Immigration cannot process applications in an expedited procedure in less than 8 to 10 weeks.

It takes a considerably longer time to process applications for residence permits based on work, for which no service fee for expedited processing is paid. The applications currently being processed in the general procedure were received last October.

Feb 2025

Longer processing time for expedited processing of residence permit applications based on work

The Directorate of Immigration has noted that the processing time for work permit applications in the expedited procedure at the Directorate of Labour is now seven weeks. Information on the processing time is published on the website of the Directorate of Labour.

As a result, the Directorate of Immigration cannot process applications in an expedited procedure in less than 8 to 10 weeks.

It takes a considerably longer time to process applications for residence permits based on work, for which no service fee for expedited processing is paid. The applications currently being processed in the general procedure were received last October.

The service fee for expedited processing of residence permit applications based on work only covers the part of the application process that relates to processing of a residence permit with the Directorate of Immigration.

This fee does not cover the issuance of a work permit by the Directorate of Labour; however such a permit is a condition for the issuance of a residence permit on the basis of work.

Jan - 2025

Higher amount required as means of support for residence permit and citizenship applicants

One of the requirements for being granted a residence permit in Iceland or Icelandic citizenship is that applicants can show that they have enough means to financially support themselves independently.

As of 1 February 2025 the reference amount required for an individual, 18 years and older, will be raised from 239.895 ISK to 247.572 ISK per month. The amount for married couples will be raised from 383.832 ISK to 396.115 ISK per month. The amounts refer to pre-tax income.

The new reference amounts apply for applications received as of 1 February 2025.

12/27/24

Immigration Department introduces self-application services for Hong Kong identity cards

The Immigration Department (ImmD) has announced that, effective 13 December 2024, the services of the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks (PDSKs) have been enhanced by introducing self-application services for Hong Kong identity cards (HKICs).

Eligible applicants can complete the HKIC application procedures in a self-service manner and can apply for HKICs and Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) passports in one visit to the PDSKs, without an appointment. The new services will further automate and digitalize the application and collection procedures for personal documentation, thereby providing more convenient services to members of the public.

PDSKs are set up at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O. The first phase of the new services will cover the following three types of replacement applications of HKIC holders who are aged 18 or above holding a locally issued smart HKIC:

• Replacement for an adult HKIC for persons reaching the age of 18;
• Replacement for a permanent HKIC for persons having their eligibility for permanent HKIC verified; and
• Replacement for a new smart HKIC for persons holding a valid old form of smart HKIC.

After the launch of the new services, eligible applicants can also apply for HKICs and HKSAR passports in one go through the PDSKs without the need to repeatedly undergo identity verification, photo taking and form filling.

For collection, the ImmD has integrated various functions of the collection kiosks. Eligible applicants can collect HKICs and HKSAR passports in one go in a self-service manner through the Personal Documentation Collection Kiosks (PDCKs), which are also located at Immigration Headquarters.

Furthermore, the ImmD has reduced the processing time for the new smart HKIC starting from tomorrow. The time required is shortened to five working days from the previous seven working days (working days exclude Saturday, Sunday and general holidays). Applicants can collect the new HKIC on the next working day after the completion of processing by the ImmD.

10/15/24

Directorate of Immigration adopts new communications system

The Directorate of Immigration has started using the Digital Mailbox on Island.is in communication with applicants for Icelandic citizenship. This means that the Directorate will no longer send documents by mail or e-mail to applicants, such as requests for further documents, notifications of granting citizenship or refusals of applications.

All individuals with an Icelandic ID (kennitala) have access to their own Digital Mailbox on Island.is. The Mailbox can be configured to notify its owner by email or by a push notification to the Island.is app that a new document is waiting for them in their Mailbox. 

The Directorate of Immigration notes that when documents have been made available in a Digital Mailbox, they are considered to have been disclosed to the recipient and have legal effect. It is not necessary for the recipient to log in to the Mailbox and read the documents, instead the documents have been disclosed as of the date when they were made available in the mailbox and the recipient could have read the documents. Deadlines mentioned in documents from the Directorate start counting from the date when documents have been made available in the Mailbox. This applies for example to deadlines for submitting further documents for the processing of applications or deadlines for appealing the Directorate's decision.

So far the Directorate has taken six out of nine Digital Steps defined by Digital Iceland. Connecting to the Digital Mailbox is a very important step as it increases efficiency of application processing and reduces costs. The Mailbox also improves service to applicants who will receive documents from the Directorate of Immigration faster and more securely than before. 

In the next phase, the Mailbox will be implemented for communication with applicants for residence permits.

3/1/24

Extension of stay for Ukrainian nationals

The Minister of Justice has decided to extend, until 2 March 2025, the period of validity of humanitarian residence permits issued to Ukrainian nationals.

To extend their permit, eligible Ukrainian nationals must have their photo taken for the purpose of obtaining a new plastic card, no earlier than four weeks before the expiration of the current permit and no later than four weeks after its expiration. Photo appointments in Reykjavik can be booked here, or the photos can be taken at the nearest sheriff’s office.