Immigration Café

July 2024 - 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.

January - Visa-free entry for UK nationals

On 29 January 2026, China and the UK agreed a new partnership, which will include visa-free entry to China for UK nationals for visits up to 30 days.  The date of implementation and further details have not yet been announced. 

January 2026 - Extension of the exemption from fingerprint collection for Chinese visa applicants

Effective 17 December 2025, China has extended its fingerprint exemption policy for short-term visa applicants until 31 December 2026. The policy covers tourist (L), business (M), family visit (Q2) short0term study (X2) and transit (G) visas for stays of up to 180 days. 
For long-term stay (D), foreign journalists (J1), family members of Chinese citizens or permanent residents (Q1), accompanying a foreign worker or student (S1), long-term study (X1) and work (Z) visas, which require the application for a residence permit after entry into China, fingerprint collection will still be required.
Fingerprint collection will also continue to be waived for the following categories of applicants:
•    Children under the age of 14 and adults over the age of 70;
•    Holders of diplomatic passports, or those eligible for diplomatic, service or courtesy visas of China;
•    Applicants who are missing all ten fingers or whose fingerprints cannot be collected.
The extension was announced by Chinese embassies around the world. 

February 2026 - Visa-free entry to Azerbaijan for Hong Kong passport holders

On 30 January 2026, the government of Hong Kong announced that it has received notification from the government of Azerbaijan that Hong Kong passport holders may visit Azerbaijan visa-free up to three times, with a stay of up to 30 days at each entry, during the period from 2 February 2026 to 2 February 2027. 
 
Including Azerbaijan, 175 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to HKSAR passport holders. 

October 2025 - Expansion of Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors announced

On 31 October 2025, the Immigration Department (ImmD) announced the expansion of the Immigration Facilitation Scheme for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (STV Scheme), enabling more foreign nationals to participate in specified short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment visas/entry permits.

Effective 1 November 2025, in addition to the existing 12 designated sectors, the STV Scheme has been expanded to cover five new sectors, with the addition of more authorised organisations and specified short-term activities.

The government launched the Pilot Scheme on Immigration Facilitation for Visitors Participating in Short-term Activities in Designated Sectors (Pilot Scheme) in June 2022, which was regularised as the STV Scheme in June 2024. As of the end of September 2025, the Pilot Scheme/STV Scheme had benefited over 38,000 foreign nationals, enabling their entry into Hong Kong as visitors to participate in various short-term activities, including the International Chinese New Year Night Parade, the Asian Financial Forum, the Hong Kong Sevens, the Hong Kong Performing Arts Expo and other major events.

Upon review, the government decided to further expand the STV Scheme to cover five new sectors, namely "Environment", "Occupational Safety and Health", "Maritime", "Think Tanks" and "Others", with the addition of more authorised organisations and specified short-term activities in seven existing sectors. The "Others" sector in particular allows more flexibility in issuing invitations.
      
The expanded STV Scheme will cover the following 17 sectors with a total of some-490 authorised organisations:

• Medical and Healthcare;
• Higher Education;
• Arts and Culture;
• Sports;
• Heritage;
• Creative Industries;
• Innovation and Technology;
• The Hong Kong Laureate Forum;
• Aviation;
• International/Mega events;
• Finance;
• Development and Construction;
• Environment;
• Occupational Safety and Health;
• Maritime;
• Think Tanks; and

​Under the STV Scheme, organisations authorised by relevant government bureaux/departments can issue invitation letters to relevant foreign nationals in their sectors. Invited persons may come to Hong Kong and participate in specified short-term activities as visitors without the need to apply for employment visas/entry permits from the ImmD.

The participation of foreign nationals in specified activities in Hong Kong must be conducive to economic development or achieving relevant policy objectives, without displacing the local workforce. They may participate in the specified short-term activities for up to 14 consecutive calendar days upon each arrival, and receive remuneration for the specified activities concerned.

October 2025 - Old-form smart identity cards to be invalid

The Immigration Department (ImmD) has announced that all old forms of smart identity cards bearing a year of birth up to and including 1969 will become invalid on 12 October 2025.

The old-form smart ID cards are those 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.

Old ID cards bearing a year of birth from 1970 onwards have already become invalid since 12 May 2025. In other words, starting from 12 October 2025, all old ID cards will become invalid.

ImmD appeals to residents still holding an old ID card to replace it with a new smart identity card as soon as possible.

Persons still holding an old ID card should make an appointment at the ROP – Kwun Tong (Temporary) Office for replacement. The office will provide relevant services until 11 October 2025. Once all old ID cards become invalid on 12 October 2025, holders of an old ID card should make an appointment at any of the six other ROP Offices to apply for a replacement ID card. They may make an appointment by scanning the QR codes here to download the ImmD mobile application or visit this website and fill in the application form in advance when making the appointment for a faster and more convenient application process.

Persons born in or before 1969 who are holding a locally issued old ID card may also use the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks (PDSKs) located at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O, which do not require an appointment, to apply for a replacement card in a self-service manner before their old ID cards become invalid on 12 October 2025.

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. 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.

Those who are unable to have their ID cards replaced during the specified period, due to being absent from Hong Kong, should replace their ID cards within 30 days of their return to Hong Kong. Any person who without reasonable excuse fails to apply for a new identity card within the specified period commits an offence and will be liable to a fine of HKD 5000 if convicted.

The elderly, the blind or the infirm residing in Hong Kong 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 a new replacement ID card, apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

August 2025 - Revised eligibility criteria for government-subsidized post-secondary student places and subsidies

On 31 July 2025, the government announced a revision of the eligibility criteria for government-subsidised post-secondary student places and subsidies: introducing two categories of tuition fees and revising the eligibility criteria.

Under the current admissions arrangements, holders of dependant visas or entry permits who are under 18 years of age when first issued with their immigration document are considered local students.

Under the revision, dependent children must reside in Hong Kong for two years immediately preceding the start of their academic programme before becoming eligible for “Category I” subsidised tuition fees.

“Category II” non-subsidised tuition fees now apply to:

• dependent children who have resided in Hong Kong for less than two years;
• holders of a full-time employment visa or work permit;
• holders of a visa/entry permit for various admission schemes (including the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme, the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme or the Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents); and
• Non-local students (such as holders of a student visa/entry permit; holders of a visa/entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates; dependant visa/entry permit holders who were 18 years old or above when first issued with such visa/entry permit by the ImmD).

Category II persons may still apply for government-subsidised sub-degree, undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes but have to pay non-subsidised fees.

The revision will apply to the 2027/28 academic year (the application cycle commencing in October 2026) with a transitional one-year residency requirement. The two-year residency requirement will be implemented starting from the 2028/29 academic year.

June 2025 - Immigration Department to revise fees

On 25 June 2025, a government spokesperson announced that, from 8 September 2025, the Immigration Department will revise fees for some services including the issuing of visas, entry permits and travel documents and despatch services for delivering travel documents to places outside Hong Kong.

The proposed legislative amendments related to the fee revisions will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on 2 July 2025. The fee revisions will take effect after completion of the necessary legislative procedures. A table setting out the existing and revised fees is here.

Arrangements for admission of professionals of specified skilled trades announced

On 30 May 2025, the governmentannounced the introduction of a new stream under the General Employment Policy (GEP) and the Admission Scheme for Mainland Talents and Professionals (ASMTP) to allow individuals to apply for entry into Hong Kong to join eight skilled trades facing acute manpower shortage. Applicants for the Technical Professionals Stream are required to be non-degree professionals meeting the relevant qualifications as specified in the Technical Professional List and aged between 18 and 40.

The new arrangement, effective 30 June 2025, will be piloted for three years with an overall quota of 10,000, and the quota for each skilled trade is limited to 3000.
 
The Technical Professional List covers eight specified skilled trades, namely new industrialisation technicians, nurses, aircraft maintenance technicians, marine services technicians (for local vessels), information technology technicians, lift or escalator technicians, building information modelling coordinators and electrical technicians.

Applicants must meet the requirements on qualifications, work experience, professional skills (e.g., registration or licence to practice), etc, of the specific skilled trade as listed on the List. In addition, according to the prevailing requirements under the GEP and the ASMTP, the relevant professionals are required to have secured an employment offer from a local company before submitting an application, and the remuneration package should be commensurate with the market level for similar jobs.
 
Depending on the skilled trade and the applicant's qualifications, the first entry visa will be valid for 24 or 36 months. When applying for visa renewal, a technical professional must continue to be employed in the same skilled trade in Hong Kong. If the visa renewal application is approved, an extension of stay may be granted for not more than 36 months, or in accordance with the validity period of the employment contract, whichever is shorter.

Under the employment-based GEP and the ASMTP, employers may apply to employ foreign talent, normally with a bachelor's degree or higher qualifications, to fill job vacancies that could not be readily taken up by locals. For vacancies falling under the professions in the Talent List, the enterprises are not required to conduct a market availability test to prove difficulties in local recruitment before making applications. Employers submitting applications in future through the new technical professional stream under the two schemes will also be exempt from conducting a market availability test.

May 2025 - Visa-free access for Hong Kong passport holders to Qatar and the UAE/Visa-free period for Hong Kong passport holders visiting Oman extended

The Hong Kong government has announced that it has received notifications from the Consulate General of Qatar in Hong Kong, the Consulate General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hong Kong and the Honorary Consulate of the Sultanate of Oman in the HKSAR regarding the latest visa-free arrangements offered to Hong Kong passport holders.

Hong Kong passport holders may visit Qatar and the UAE visa-free (previously visa-on-arrival) for a stay of up to 30 days. In addition, the visa-free period for Hong Kong passport holders visiting Oman has been extended from a stay of up to 10 days to 14 days. Further to the measure regarding Qatar announced earlier, the other two measures will take effect on 15 May 2025.

As of 14 May 2025, 174 countries and territories have granted visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to Hong Kong passport holders, including all six member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. Among these, Qatar, the UAE and Oman offer visa-free access, while Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia provide visa-on-arrival facilitation. Further details are available here.

Old form smart identity cards bearing year of birth in or after 1970 to be invalid from 12 May 2025

All old forms of smart identity cards bearing a year of birth in or after 1970 will become invalid on 12 May 2025. Old ID cards bearing a year of birth in or before 1969 will become invalid on 12 October 2025.

Old forms of smart identity cards refer 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.The Immigration Department (ImmD) has appealed to residents still holding an old ID card to replace it with a new smart identity card as soon as possible.

Persons still holding an old ID card should make an appointment at the ROP - Kwun Tong (Temporary) Office for replacement with a new ID card. They may download the ImmD mobile application, visit the website or call the 24-hour telephone booking hotline 2598 0888 to make an appointment for an ID card replacement.

Persons aged 18 or above holding a valid old ID card issued locally could also use the Personal Documentation Submission Kiosks (PDSKs) located at the Immigration Headquarters in Tseung Kwan O to apply for a replacement card in a self-service manner, which does not require an appointment.

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. 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 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.

For those who are unable to have their ID cards replaced during the specified call-up periods due to being absent from Hong Kong, they 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 $5,000 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 a new replacement ID card, apply for a Certificate of Exemption.

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.

May 2026 - Various updates to Overseas Citizen of India rules

In April 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) made several updates to the rules for obtaining an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card. This follows the passing of the final deadline for converting Person of Indian Origin (PIO) cards to OCI cards on 31 December 2025.

Eligible foreign nationals are no longer required to be resident in India for six months before submitting an OCI card application.

Furthermore, OCI cardholders who obtain a new passport must update their passport details on the OCI portal within three months of the issuance of the new passport. Failure to do so will result in a penalty of USD 25.

Finally, a revised fee structure has been implemented:

• New application: USD 275;
• Reissuance of OCI card with change of details: USD 25;
• Reissuance of OCI card at age 20: USD 25;
• Replacement of lost OCI card: USD 100;
• Renunciation of OCI card: USD 25.

October 2025 - Electronic arrival card replaces paper form

Effective 1 October 2025, India has replaced the physical arrival (disembarkation) card with a digital e-Arrival card.

All foreign nationals, as well as holders of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, entering India must complete the online form within 72 hours of arrival. Indian passport holders are exempt from this requirement.

The e-Arrival card can be completed and submitted online through the Bureau
of Immigration website (https://boi.gov.in) or the Indian Visa website
(https://indianvisaonline.gov.in) or the Official Indian Visa Su-Swgatam
Mobile app, 

Although submission of the disembarkation card will continue to be possible until the e-arrival system has stabilized, or up to a maximum of six months, whichever is earlier, all foreign nationals visiting India are encouraged to use the e-arrival option.

September - Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme expanded

The Ministry of Home Affairs has announced that the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Traveller Programme (FTI-TTP) has been expanded to five more airports - Lucknow, Thiruvananthapuram, Trichy, Kozhikode, and Amritsar.

The programme was launched in 2024 from Delhi, followed by its implementation at Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Ahmedabad airports. The Ministry of Home Affairs plans to further integrate the programme with the upcoming Navi Mumbai and Jewar airports. It is applicable to Indian nationals, and to foreign nationals holding OCI Cards.

To enrol in this program, eligible applicants must register online on the portal by filling in their details and uploading the required documents. The biometrics of registered applicants are collected at the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) or while passing through the airport. Registered travellers need to scan their boarding pass, issued by the airline, at the e-Gate and then scan their passport. The traveller's biometrics are verified at the e-Gates installed at arrival and departure points. Upon successful verification, the e-Gate automatically opens, and immigration clearance is granted

July 2025 - e-Visa launched for Kuwaiti nationals

On 13 July 2025, the Embassy of India in Kuwait announced that India extended the eVisa facility to Kuwaiti nationals, effective immediately.

The e-Visa is available for a variety of purposes including tourism, business, conferences, medical or traditional medicine (AYUSH) treatment and medical and traditional medicine attendants. The eVisa has a longer duration at a lower visa fee than the consular paper visa, which will, however, continue to be available.

Biometrics are captured at the port of arrival in India, so there is no requirement to visit an Indian consular application centre. E-Visa processing generally takes three to four days.

The e-Visa is valid for entry through 32 airports and five seaports, and the holder can exit through any immigration checkpoint.

The Indian e-Visa is available to nationals of a large number of countries

July 2025 - New visa for non-formal education now available

Effective 15 July 2025, foreign nationals can apply for a limited stay visa (Vitas) to attend non-formal education in Indonesia. The policy aims to facilitate foreign nationals who want to take language courses, skill schools or professional courses to support their careers. Residence permits from visas with the E30 index can be granted for one or two years.

Applicants must have a guarantor - either an individual or a non-formal education institution. Additional requirements include a passport with a minimum validity period of six months, proof of living expenses while in Indonesia (at least equivalent to USD 2000) and a recent colour passport photo.

The Non-Tax State Revenue (PNBP) fee for the E30 visa is IDR 6,000,000 for a one-year residence permit and IDR 8,500,000 for a two-year residence permit.

Moreover, the Directorate General of Immigration has announced that an E30A visa for primary and secondary education and an E30B visa for higher education can now be issued for a four-year period, in addition to the one- and two-year periods previously available.

The PNBP fee for E30A or E30B visa is IND 6,000,000 for one year, IND 8,500,000 for two years and IND 12,000,000 for four years.

June 2025 - Visa classification changes

The Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) has streamlined Indonesia's visa classification from 133 to 110 categories. The policy updates have been written into Indonesian law as part of the Decree of the Minister of Immigration and Corrections No. M.IP-08.GR.01.01 of 2025 on Visa Classification.

• The C7C visa has been introduced.   Theis is a visit visa for arts, culture and skills activities in fields other than music which allows foreign nationals to showcase their expertise in Indonesia.
• To facilitate foreign nationals from visa-free subject countries, the DGI has established the A1 visa for tourism, business, and short-term medical activities (less than 30 days). Previously, business and medical categories had their own categories.
• Meanwhile, foreign nationals who wish to use a Visa on Arrival (VoA) can now apply for a B1 visa for tourism, business, and medical purposes. This visa is valid for 30 days and can be extended once.
• the DGI has launched the E28F visa for foreign investors who will invest capital in the Nusantara Capital City. In addition, there is visa E28G for foreign investors who are placed as representatives of a parent company in its branch in Indonesia. With this visa, foreign investors are allowed to carry out duties as company representatives.
• The new policy significantly simplifies work visa indexes, from the previous 31 types to only six types. Visas for foreign skilled workers with company sponsors, which previously consisted of 20 indexes (E23B-E23W), are now unified under index E23.
• The DGI also established two new visa types (E23U and E23V) for work visa categories with non-corporate sponsors.

New visit visa regulations for prospective foreign workers

The Directorate General of Immigration (DGI) has issued the latest provisions regarding the granting of visit visas for prospective Foreign Workers (TKA) who are undergoing skills assessments (C18 visa index). This policy is stipulated in the Circular Letter of the Director General of Immigration Number IMI-453.GR.01.01 dated 27 May 2025, which came into effect on 14 June 2025.

DGI states that the purpose of the regulation is to prevent the misuse of foreign workers by companies and emphasizes two important points:

• The validity period of the C18 Visa stay permit is a maximum of 90 days and cannot be extended.
• Foreign nationals are prohibited from using the C18 Visa with the same company guarantor more than once.

C18 Index Visit Visa applications submitted before 14 June 2025 will remain valid according to previous provisions. These visas are still issued with a maximum validity period of 60 days and can be extended.

To apply for a C18 visa, the guarantor (sponsor) of the prospective foreign worker is required to have an account on the official portal. Once the account is registered, the guarantor can compete the data and documents of the prospective foreign worker and submit the visa application. Required documents include a passport with a minimum validity period of six months, proof of living expenses in the form of the last three months' bank statements in the name of the foreign national or guarantor, the latest colour passport photo (within the last year), and an invitation letter for a skills assessment from a government agency or private institution.

In-person application now required for stay permit extension

The Immigration Department has announced that, effective 29 May 2025, foreign nationals applying for a stay permit extension are required to undergo biometric photo capture and an interview at the immigration office.

The registration procedure and the uploading of required documents must still be completed online through the portal evisa.imigrasi.go.id. This provision also applies to holders of Visa on Arrival (VoA).

Foreign nationals belonging to vulnerable groups such as the elderly, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers, and those in urgent conditions can complete the application registration process, document submission, and payment directly along with the photo capture and interview at the immigration office in person.

 

March 2026 - New integrated Specified Residence Card launch date announced

Japan’s Immigration Services Agency has announced that its new Specified Residence Card will be launched on 14 June 2026.

The specified residence card combines the functions of the residence card (or special permanent residence certificate) and the My Number Card into one card.

The My Number Card is a chipped photo ID card which shows the holder’s 12-digit My Number, and which can be used for identity verification in person and online, usually for social insurance, tax and disaster-related procedures.

Eligible residents can apply for a Specified Residence Card at immigration or municipal offices, but are permitted to keep two cards instead.

October 2025 - Changes to Business Manager residence status

On 10 October, the Immigration Services Agency published new rules, effective 16 October 2025, for the Business Manager status of residence.

New requirements

Companies looking to newly hire foreign nationals under this status are now required to prove they have capital of JPY 30,000,000 (up from JPY 5,000,000).

Employers must now also provide evidence that they employ at least one full-time staff member. “Full-time employee” is here limited to Japanese nationals, special permanent residents, permanent residents, holders of a visa for the spouse or child of a Japanese national or of a permanent resident and holders of a long-term resident visa. Foreign nationals holding other work visas, such as the Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services visa, are excluded.

Applicants must now demonstrate at least three years of management experience or a master’s degree (or higher) in a related field. The applicant or at least one full-time employee must now demonstrate Japanese language proficiency of at least level CEFR B2 or JLPT N2, 20-plus years of residence in Japan, or graduation from Japanese elementary, junior high and high school or a Japanese university.

Moreover, the employer’s business plan must now be verified by a qualified expert, and businesses that rely heavily on outsourcing to contractors will find it very difficult to have applications for business manager status approved.

Last-minute applications

Applications submitted before 16 October 2025 will be reviewed under the old rules, and applicants already holding a Certificate of Eligibility (CoE) issued under the old rules can enter Japan within three months of the issuance date of the CoE. Last-minute applications may face especially strict scrutiny.

Grace period for renewals

Renewal applications submitted within three years of the effective date (i.e., by 16 October 2028), will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, taking into account whether the applicant and the business meet the new criteria, or will meet them in the future.

However, from 16 October 2025, status change from Business Manager to Highly Skilled Professional (i)(c) and permission for permanent residence will not be granted unless the new criteria are met.

May 2026 - MDEC announces system updates

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has announced system updates in preparation for the revised expatriate salary and employment pass policy.

As part of this implementation, the following updates will take effect:

FKW Headcount Declaration Update

Effective 25 May 2026, the existing ‘FKW Headcount Declaration’ request function in the Expats System will be discontinued. Companies may continue to utilise their remaining approved FKW headcount available in the system for individual FKW applications.

Any new or additional FKW Headcount requests submitted from 3 June 2026 onwards will undergo further evaluation and approval under the revised process.

Scheduled System Maintenance

The Expats system will be temporarily unavailable due to scheduled maintenance from 1 June 2026 until 2 June 2026.

During this maintenance period, companies will not be able to access the system or submit any applications. The system is expected to resume normal operations and be available for all application transactions from 3 June 2026 onwards.

In view of the scheduled downtime, companies are encouraged to review their application planning and ensure that any intended submissions are managed accordingly to support a smoother application process.

Further guidance, including the final checklist for applications under the revised policy and projection requests, will be shared in a subsequent announcement.

So far, there has been no equivalent announcement for ESD registered companies.

ESD announces delayed implementation of succession plan requirement

The Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Immigration Department of Malaysia has announced that it will delay the implementation of the upcoming new succession plan requirement until 1 January 2027, as part of a phased implementation approach.

As announced on 15 January 2026, the Revised Expatriate Pass Salary Policy will take effect from 1 June 2026. One of the key elements introduced under the new policy is the succession plan requirement, which aims to ensure the structured transfer of knowledge and expertise to local employees throughout the expatriate’s employment period.

May 2026 - Shorter deadline for submitting online appeals

On 30 April 2026, the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Malaysian Immigration Department announced a significant reduction of the deadline for submitting online appeals for rejected Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass-Expert (PVP) applications.

The previous appeal submission deadline of six months has been reduced to 14 days.

Since 2 May 2025, appeals can be made directly through the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) online system.

Effective 15 May 2026, the following revised conditions apply to online appeal submissions for rejected Employment Pass (EP) and Professional Visit Pass (PVP) applications via the ESD online system:

• Appeals must be submitted within 14 days from the date of rejection at the Expatriate Committee Meeting.
• The appeal facility will only be accessible within this 14-day period.
• Once an appeal is initiated, the application fee is non-refundable.
• Appeals submitted after the fourteen-day period will not be accepted by the system.

Key guidelines for EP and PVP appeal 15 May 2026 onwards:

• 14-day deadline: Appeals must be submitted online within 14 days from the date of the application rejection.
• System lockout: The online appeal facility will automatically close and become inaccessible once the 14-day window expires. A fresh EP / PVP application would then apply.
• Non-refundable fees: Once an appeal is initiated, the application fee is strictly non-refundable.
• Documentation: All justifications and supporting documents must be complete at the time of submission. Late or incomplete filings will not be considered.

The MYXpats Centre advises companies to ensure that all supporting documents and justifications are complete prior to submission, as incomplete or late appeals will not be considered.

April 2026 - Extension of the 1:3 Internship Policy pilot phase

On 31 March 2026, the Expatriate Services Division (ESD) of the Immigration Department of Malaysia introduced the 1:3 Internship Policy, and announced that the pilot phase, previously scheduled to conclude on 31 March 2026, will now continue until 31 May 2026. Official implementation of the policy will effectively take place starting 1 June 2026.

The Progressive Policy on Expatriate Contribution to Local Talent Development, referred to as the 1:3 Internship Policy, was announced by the Ministry of Human Resources (KESUMA) on 15 January 2025.

For every expatriate hired, up to three local students will receive quality internships. The exact ratio varies depending on the Employment Pass (EP) tier and the company's workforce size.

May 2026 - Active Investor Plus change enables philanthropy in Growth category

On 25 May 2026, the government announced a targeted change to the Active Investor Plus Visa to support high value investment.

From 1 June 2026, new applicants in the Growth category will be able to include philanthropy, capped at 20 percent of their total investment.

The Growth category minimum investment remains NZD 5 million. Under the new settings, philanthropy can make up to 20 percent of that total (NZD 1 million), and the remaining investment must continue to be in acceptable investments.

Eligibility for registered charities to receive philanthropic gifts via the AIP Visa will also be strengthened. Charities must have been operating for at least five years, be a Tier 1-3 charity, and the philanthropic gift must be used to benefit New Zealand and cannot personally benefit the applicant.

More information, including the Minister’s announcement, is available here.

English language requirements extended to AEWV skill level 3 roles

On 25 May 2026, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) announced that, from 1 June 2026, Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) minimum English language requirements will apply to ANZSCO and NOL skill level 3 occupations.

Currently, people applying for an AEWV at ANZSCO or NOL (National Occupation List) skill level 4 or 5 must show they can speak and understand English. They can meet this requirement through their English ability from citizenship, working and studying or by taking an English language test. The required standard is the current baseline IELTS 4.0 or equivalent.

From 1 June 2026 people applying for an AEWV at ANZSCO or NOL skill level 3 will also need to meet this requirement.

Global Workforce Seasonal Visa and Peak Seasonal Visa AEWV applications are not required to meet the minimum standard of English, and the requirement does not apply to Job Change applications.

Transitional arrangements for people who already have an AEWV

No one with a current AEWV will be affected retrospectively while their visa is valid. To ensure fairness and continuity, the following targeted transitional arrangements will apply:

• People with an AEWV whose visas expire on or before 1 December 2026 will be exempt from the new English language requirement when applying for a further AEWV at skill level 3
• People on an AEWV who have already provided evidence that they can speak and understand English as part of a previous AEWV application will also be exempt

For migrants, the change does not affect existing visas, employment, or current lengths of stay. The transitional arrangements are designed to ensure people already contributing to New Zealand’s workforce are treated fairly and given enough warning to arrange and sit a test and obtain the report before their visas expire. It also sets clear expectations for future applicants, noting that not all individuals will be covered by an exemption.

For employers, the change provides greater consistency and clarity across skill levels and allows forward planning when recruiting into skill level 3 roles from 1 June 2026.

Migrants who apply for an AEWV at skill level 3 from 1 June onwards will need to meet the new English language requirements, even if their employer received a job check token before 1 June 2026.

May - Group and Tour Escort visitor visa applications moving to enhanced Immigration Online

Effective 20 July 2026, Group visitor visa and Tour Escort visitor visa (including ADS) applications are moving to Immigration New Zealand’s enhanced Immigration Online system.

Approved Destination Status (ADS) is an arrangement between the Chinese Government and another country, that lets Chinese holiday travellers visit a country in a tour group or as a Free and Independent Traveller (FIT).

Visa products are transitioning to enhanced Immigration Online in phases. INZ first introduced this platform in 2021 and has already moved several types of visa applications onto it, including family of temporary visa holder visas, international student visas, visitor visas, accredited employer work visas and permanent resident visas.

From 20 July 2026, new applications will be automatically directed through the new system. INZ will provide further information closer to the transition date.

May 2026 - Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 20 May 2026

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that the ballots for the Pacific Access Category (PAC) Resident Visa and Samoan Quota (SQ) Resident Visa to select who will be invited to apply for residence in New Zealand will be drawn on 20 May 2026. The results will be published by 29 May 2026.

The PAC and SQ residence pathways recognise the special relationship between New Zealand and Samoa and the Pacific Access Category countries of Tonga, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Fiji.

This year up to 1100 Samoan, 250 Tongan, 250 Fijian, 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvaluan citizens may be invited to apply for residence under each category.

Registrations in the ballot will be drawn to meet these quotas. Ballot registrations can include more than one person, for example, if a family are included under the same registration.

INZ will publish successful registrant reference numbers on the Immigration New Zealand website by 29 May 2026.

INZ will send individuals whose ballots are selected a letter with an invitation to apply, after the reference numbers are published. This letter will include information about how to apply for the resident visa.

Those selected must apply for New Zealand residence within eight months of receiving an invitation to apply.

New income threshold

The minimum income requirement for those applying for residence under PAC and SQ with dependent children will be NZD 55,404.96 per year from 30 April 2026.

This will apply to those who are invited to apply for residence following this ballot draw. This requirement is to ensure that parents can support their dependent children in New Zealand. The income of a secondary applicant partner may also be considered, as long as both applicants have an acceptable offer of employment in New Zealand.

April 2026 - Income thresholds to increase for Pacific and parent visa categories

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that, effective 30 April 2026, income and sponsorship thresholds will increase for several Pacific and family visa categories.

The changes affect the Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota, Parent Category Resident Visa and Parent Boost Visitor Visa.

These updates are part of routine annual reviews to ensure income thresholds remain aligned with current wages, benefit settings, and living costs in New Zealand.

Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota

For applicants with dependent children, the minimum income threshold will increase from NZD $54,133.04 to NZD $55,404.96 per year.

Parent Category Resident Visa

Sponsorship income thresholds for this category will be updated to reflect the June 2025 median wage of NZD $35.00 per hour, up from NZD $33.56.

Sponsors must meet the income threshold that applied for the chosen two 12-month periods during the 3 years before the Expression of Interest was selected.

People who have already applied under the Parent Category Resident Visa are not affected.

Parent Boost Visitor Visa

The new income thresholds for Parent Boost Visitor Visa sponsors will also be updated to reflect the June 2025 median wage, as follows:

Table 1: Minimum annual income for one sponsor from 30 April 2026 (NZD)
Sponsoring one parent	Sponsoring two parents	Sponsoring three parents	Sponsoring four parents	Sponsoring five parents	Sponsoring six parents
$72,800.00	$109,200.00	$145,600.00	$182,000.00	$218,400.00	$254,800.00

Table 2: Minimum annual income for two sponsors from 30 April 2026 (NZD)
Sponsoring one parent	Sponsoring two parents	Sponsoring three parents	Sponsoring four parents	Sponsoring five parents	Sponsoring six parents
$109,200.00	$145,600.00	$182,000.00	$218,400.00	$254,800.00	$291,200.00

Sponsors must earn at least the minimum income each year. They also must have earned at least the minimum income for two out of the past three New Zealand completed tax years (1 April to 31 March) before applying.

Applicants under the Parent Boost Visitor Visa can alternatively fund their own stay in New Zealand, either through annual income or maintenance funds. Theses thresholds will also increase from 30 April 2026.

• Either applicants will need to earn at least NZD $33,663.24 a year (or
  NZD $51,182.56 a year if they are including a partner);
• Or applicants will need to have funds in their bank account of at least NZD $170,000, (or NZD $260,000 if they are including a partner).

The minimum income and funds requirement for Parent Boost Visitor Visa applicants are based on New Zealand Superannuation rates (the equivalent annual income is required or the equivalent of five years NZ Superannuation for funds held). 

Changes to health insurance requirements for the Peak Seasonal Visa

Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that, from 19 April 2026, health insurance for the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) will change to make it clearer and easier for migrants and employers to meet the requirements.

People on a PSV are not eligible for publicly funded health care, so private health insurance is required where employment is longer than three months.

The changes reflect the health insurance products that are currently available in the New Zealand market and will reduce uncertainty for people applying for, or employers supporting, a Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV) application.

Health insurance will no longer be required to cover repatriation of remains in any circumstances. In line with the Recognised Seasonal Employer (RSE) requirements, compliant insurance may exclude cover for:

• pre-existing conditions
• sexually transmitted infections
• pregnancy and childbirth (except certain complications)
• HIV-related illness
• costs, including repatriation of remains in the event of death by suicide
• situations that involve the influence of alcohol or non-prescribed drugs.

Until now, PSV health insurance requirements have not matched what is available in the New Zealand insurance market. In particular, existing insurance products do not include some of the cover previously required, such as repatriation of remains in any circumstance. This has made it difficult for migrants to obtain compliant insurance and has created uncertainty and delays for employers supporting applications.

Applications submitted before 19 April 2026 will not be disadvantaged. Applications already in progress will be assessed under transitional arrangements, allowing them to be considered against the updated health insurance requirements. This ensures applications can continue to be  

Immigration Online
Immigration New Zealand (INZ) has announced that family of temporary visa holders can submit new applications to be processed in INZ’s enhanced Immigration Online portal. The following visas are included in this transition: 
Student Visas
•    Dependent Child Student Visa   
Work Visas
•    Partner of a Worker Work Visa
•    Partner of Military Work Visa
•    Partner of a Student Work Visa
•    Partner of an NZ Scholarship Student Work Visa
Visitor Visas
•    Partner of a Worker Visitor Visa   
•    Child of a Worker Visitor Visa   
•    Partner of a Student Visitor Visa   
•    Child of a Student Visitor Visa   
•    Partner of Military Visitor Visa   
•    Child of Military Visitor Visa 
New applications for these visas will be automatically directed through enhanced Immigration Online from 1 June 2026. Applications submitted in the old system will continue to be processed.
Those who have a draft application in the old system can choose to complete and submit it or can start a new application in enhanced Immigration Online.
INZ first introduced this platform in 2021 and has already moved several types of visa applications onto it, including International Student Visas, Visitor Visas, Accredited Employer Work Visas and Permanent Resident Visas.
The application form in the old system is used for other visa application types. The old form will be closed once those visas have moved to enhanced Immigration Online. INZ will contact people with draft applications to ensure they have enough time to complete their application before closing the form.
Other family visa types will be transitioned at different stages of the programme.
INZ also warns that it may also reconsider its approach to paper-based applications for the visas moving to enhanced Immigration Online.

Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota registrations are now open for 2026
On 1 April 2026, Immigration New Zealand announced that registrations have opened for the 2026 Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category.
The Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category are longstanding visa categories that allow people from the Pacific to become permanent residents in New Zealand. Both schemes operate through an annual ballot.
This year, up to 1100 Samoan citizens, 250 Tongan and 250 Fijian citizens and 75 Kiribati and 75 Tuvaluan citizens will be invited to apply for New Zealand residence. Prospective applicants can register for the annual ballot online.
The 2026 Samoan Quota and Pacific Access Category ballots will close on 30th April 2026 at 17:00 New Zealand Standard Time (NZST).
The Pacific Access Category and Samoan Quota draw takes place on 20 May 2026.

June 2026 - Processing of Alien Employment Permits now centralized

The Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) has ordered the full centralization of the processing, evaluation, and issuance of Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) at the DOLE Central Office, effective 9 June 2026.

Under Administrative Order No. 199 of 2026, all DOLE Regional Offices will immediately stop accepting, processing, evaluating, and issuing both new and renewal AEP applications, with all transactions to be handled exclusively by the Central Office.

The centralization of AEP processing also supports the Department’s broader initiatives on systems optimization, streamlined service delivery, and more effective monitoring and auditing of regulatory processes nationwide.

Any AEP application received by the DOLE Regional Offices on or before the close of business hours on 8 June 2026 that remains pending will be immediately prepared for digital transfer to the DOLE Central Office.

Upon receipt, the Central Office shall assume full responsibility for the evaluation, processing, and disposition of pending applications. The applicable processing period will continue from the point at which the application was transferred.

The Bureau of Local Employment, meanwhile, will directly administer and implement the required local publication and labour market test procedures through a localized digital platform and coordinated labour registries, thereby ensuring the integrity and consistency of the domestic labour market vetting process.

To protect the sensitive personal information of foreign nationals and ensure compliance with the Data Privacy Act of 2012, the transfer of all records and application data will be completed within five calendar days from the effective date of the Administrative Order. The transfer will strictly adhere to established Data Transfer Protocols, including end-to-end encryption and verified chain-of-custody documentation.

February 2026 - 14-day visa-free entry for Chinese nationals

The Department of Foreign Affairs has announced that, effective 16 January 2026 and for at least one year, Chinese nationals may enter the Philippines without needing to obtain a visa, for a stay of up to 14 days.
Chinese nationals traveling to the Philippines strictly for tourism or business purposes may avail of the new visa-free entry privilege. The said privilege allows for a non-extendable 14-day stay, which is non-convertible to any other type of Philippine visa category.
The visa-free privilege will be valid for entry only through the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) in Metro Manila and the Mactan-Cebu International Airport (MCIA) in Cebu. Upon arrival, Chinese nationals need to present a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, confirmed hotel accommodation/booking, and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination.
The visa-free entry arrangement will be reviewed before it expires.

May 2025 - Changes to Alien Employment Permit rules

On 9 June 2025, the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) issued Department Order No. 248-A of 2025, Supplemental Guidelines clarifying and amending provisions of DOLE Department Order No. 248 of 2025 (issued 21 January 2025). The latest order provides further guidance on the issuance of Alien Employment Permits (AEPs).

The Supplemental Guidelines take effect fifteen days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.

Among the key clarifications are the following:

• In addition to publishing the vacant position in a newspaper of general circulation, applicants are encouraged to post the vacancy in the PhilJobNet and with the Public Employment Service Office (PESO) or Job Placement Office (JPO). Only the newspaper posting is mandatory.
• An Understudy Training Program (UTP) or Skills Development Program (SDP) plan is only required in the following cases:
  • The employer is registered under the Foreign Investment Act (FIA), employs foreign nationals and enjoys fiscal incentives;
  • The employer is engaged in the operation of public utilities or critical infrastructure under the Public Service Act, where foreign equity participation is allowed;
  • The employer is identified as a strategic investment, including those in key sectors outlined in the Strategic Investment Priority Plan (SIPP) or equivalent national development framework
• Applicable employers must submit the UTP or SDP plan within 60 days from the start of employment of the foreign national, using their own format, providing it contains the required information.
• Employers must submit progress reports, based on the submitted UTP/SDP plan, on a semi-annual basis (for one-year AEPs) or an annual basis (for multi-year AEPs). The report must include details of implementation, attendance and competencies gained by the Filipino national employee(s) and must be duly signed by the employer, the foreign national and the Filipino employee(s).
• Foreign nationals exempted from the UTP/SDP requirement include:
  • Those excluded or exempted from AEP;
  • Equity shareholders or foreign nationals who are owners or investors with equity participation as reflected or reported with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC);
  • Foreign nationals occupying positions that have been determined by DOLE’s Technical Working Group (TWG) to be qualified for exemption.
• DOLE will allow the acceptance of renewal applications with an Affidavit of Undertaking, committing to comply with the requirements of publication prior to the release of the AEP card, and the UTP/SDP within 60 days from the date of submission, if applicable.
• For AEPs issued before 10 February 2025, or prior to the issuance of the AEP Rules, renewal applications will only be required to submit a training plan for the UTP, similar to a new application, in lieu of full compliance with the UTP / SDP requirements.
• Failure to submit / comply with the documents will be a ground for revocation of the AEP.
• The DOLE Regional Office must act to approve or deny the application within 15 working days from payment of the required fee.

Visa-free entry for Indian nationals

On 26 May 2025, the Bureau of Immigration issued Memorandum Circular No. 2025-003, providing guidelines for the implementation of Foreign Service Circulars No. 2025-019 and 2025-020, which introduced visa-free entry procedures for eligible Indian nationals.

On 7 June 2025, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced these rules for the new visa-free privileges for Indian nationals.

Effective 8 June 2025:

• Indian nationals may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible and non-convertible period of 14 days for tourism purposes, upon presenting a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, proof of a confirmed hotel booking, proof of financial capacity, and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination. 

• Indian nationals holding valid and current American, Japanese, Australian, Canadian, Schengen, Singapore or United Kingdom (AJACSSUK) visas or residence permits may enter the Philippines without a visa for a non-extendible period of 30 days for tourism, upon presenting a passport valid for at least six months beyond the contemplated stay, and a return or onward ticket to the next country of destination. 

These updated visa-free privileges for Indian nationals may be used at any Philippine port of entry, and are not convertible to a visa-based stay or other admission status categories. Indian nationals must also not have any derogatory record with the Bureau of Immigration in order to be admitted into the country without a visa.  

Indian nationals transiting in the Philippines or entering the country for long-term visits and non-tourism activities are required to apply for an appropriate Philippine visa at a Philippine embassy or consulate in their country or origin, place of legal residence, or any country that requires entry visas for Indian nationals. 

Indian nationals who are eligible for e-Visas may also apply through the official Philippine e-Visa website evisa.gov.ph. The DFA reminds that e-Visas may not be extended or converted to other visa-based stay or other admission status categories.

March 2024 - 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.

 

 

 

 

May 2026 - Government approves changes for highly qualified workers

The Council of Ministers has approved a preliminary draft law amending the rules governing highly qualified workers.

The amendments, which are intended to align Belgian national laws with EU law, include:

• The partial transposition of Directive (EU) 2021/1883 on the European Blue Card for highly qualified workers, namely:
  • processing time for applications will be reduced to a maximum of 90 days;
  • the rules on family reunification for this group will be simplified; and
  • mobility within the EU will also be facilitated.
• Changes to the single permit, namely:
  • the grounds for refusal and end of stay will be extended; and
  • better protection will be established for workers who are victims of certain social offences committed by the employer;
• An administrative simplification of the application process for the job search year for students and researchers;
• Other technical corrections.

The proposals are explained here by the Minister for Asylum and Migration.

April 2026 - Upcoming changes to single permit processing in Flanders

Brussels Economy and employment has announced that, effective 4 May 2026, all applications for work permits for non-European nationals must be submitted through a new federal portal called the “One-Stop counter”.

From that date both short-term and long-term work authorisation applications must be submitted through the portal, and PDF forms submitted via email will no longer be accepted.

Applications will continue to be processed by the authorities in the relevant region – Flanders, Wallonia or Brussels. 

July 2025 - Upcoming changes to single permit processing in Flanders

On 9 May 2025, the Flemish government approved a concept note, establishing an updated labour migration policy based on ten core principles. The proposed measures will tighten requirements and increase processing costs, but also promise faster processing times. These changes will be implemented gradually over the coming months.

Highly-educated individuals will be prioritised and low-skilled people from outside the EU will be excluded from labour migration. There will be an exception for seasonal work such as fruit growing.

Since 1 May 2025, decisions on highly-skilled applications are given within 15 days. From 1 January 2026, decisions on applications for non-highly-skilled applicants will be communicated within 30 days (45 days during peak periods). A new fee of EUR 200 will be introduced for those applying for a work permit from outside the European Union.

Applications for so-called “bottleneck” professions will be possible only for medium-skilled professions with a commensurate salary, and must be supported with a comprehensive application file, as well as a labour market test. The eligibility criteria for inclusion on the Migration List for ‘medium-skilled’ positions will be revised.

July 2024 - 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:

Category	Gross amount per month
Senior management	EUR 6445.60 (140 %)
Highly qualified personnel	EUR 3591.12 (78 %)
Performing artist	EUR 2992.60 (65 %)
European Blue Card	EUR 4604.00 (100 %)
ICT manager	EUR 5294.60 (115 %)
ICT expert	EUR 4373.80 (95 %)
ICT trainee	EUR 2532.20 (55 %)
Average gross monthly salary in the Brussels Capital Region	EUR 4604.00

 

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.

 

Athlete	EUR 6873.15
Guaranteed average minimum monthly income	EUR 2070.48

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.

December 2025 - Minimum wage increase confirmed

The Bulgarian government has decided that, effective 1 January 2026, the minimum monthly wage will increase by 12.6% to EUR 620.20 (BGN 1213). The minimum hourly wage is set at EUR 3.74 (BGN 7.31).

The increase will affect the qualifying salary thresholds for the single permit for residence and work and the intra-corporate transferee card.

Bulgaria is adopting the euro currency from 1 January 2026.

October 2025 - Stricter notification requirements for employers

The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs has announced that, effective 1 October 2025, an amendment to the Employment Act brings changes to the reporting of employment for foreign nationals and introduces the concept of undeclared work.

What is changing?

Previously, the obligation to report an employee's employment to the Labour Office was no later than the day of their employment. Now, the notification must be made before the actual start of work.

The change applies to the employment of all foreign nationals, i.e. EU citizens, their family members and family members of Czech citizens, third-country nationals who need a work permit, and foreign nationals with free access to the labour market, including holders of temporary protection.

The only group to which the provision on undeclared work will not apply are workers posted to the EU internal market by an employer established in another Member State. In this case, the current deadline and reporting via the SÚIP portal will continue to apply.

The notification requirements for changes or termination of employment are unchanged.

Newly introduced offence and sanctions

If the report is made retroactively within five days of the start of work and no inspection is carried out in the meantime, the failure to comply with the obligation will be considered undeclared work, but will not be penalized as a misdemeanour.

If the report is made retroactively so that more than five days have passed since the start of work, the employer has committed an offence of enabling undeclared work, and the potential fine may take into account that the worker has already been reported by the employer.

If the worker has not been reported by the employer at all, the situation is considered undeclared work – a fine of up to CZK 3 million may apply.

June 2024 - 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.

May 2026 - New digital application for those applying for a residence permit as an accompanying family member in Greenland

On 11 May 2026, the Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) launched a new digital application (GL2) for a residence permit in Greenland as an accompanying family member.

An individual can use the digital application to apply for a residence permit as an accompanying family member of a person who is either already in Greenland or who is going to Greenland to work or study, if the person has a temporary residence permit or has had a permanent residence permit for less than three years.

The application can also be used to apply for an extension of a current residence permit as an accompanying family member.

The application also gives access to a platform where the applicant can log in and see all of their ongoing and completed applications for up to 30 days.

For a certain period of time, it will still be possible to submit the paper version of the application physically or via SIRI’s contact form.

SIRI has also created a digital application for the family member, who the applicant is you accompanying to Greenland, if the person is working or going to work in Greenland.

The application is called GL1/5 and can be used to apply for a residence and work permit in Greenland on the basis of paid work. The family member can also use the application to apply for an extension of their current permit.

May 2026 - Government extends validity of interim proof of work letters

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has increased the validity period of WP-EXT letters to 365 days (previously 180 days) in updated instructions to its officers.

When an online work permit application is received, the system will send the applicant a WP-EXT letter indicating that the foreign national is authorized to work under paragraph R186(u), if all necessary conditions are met. This letter now has a validity of 365 days.

Paragraph R-186(u) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPA) allows foreign nationals to work in Canada without a work permit (maintained status), if they have done all of the following:

• applied to renew their work permit under section R201 before the initial work permit expired;
• remained in Canada;
• continued to comply with the conditions set out on the expired work permit, other than the expiry date.

If the foreign national leaves Canada or a final decision is made on the application renewal, the requirements of R186(u) are no longer met and the WP-EXT letter is no longer valid. If the work permit application has not been finalized by the date provided on the letter, the applicant may continue to keep working as per R186(u) until a decision is made provided they continue to meet the R186(u) requirements. They do not need to submit a request to IRCC to issue a second letter.

IRCC consultations: Potential Express Entry reforms April 23 – May 24, 2026

IRCC has launched consultations to seek feedback on proposed changes to Express Entry and the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).

Key proposals include:

• Replacing the current 3 economic immigration programs with a single program
• Minimum eligibility: high school education, CLB/NCLC 6, and 1 year of skilled work experience (TEER 0–3)
• Updating CRS factors to better reflect economic outcomes
• Introducing a high-wage occupation factor
• Reintroducing job offer points, limited to high-wage occupations

Feedback is open to organizations and the public until May 24, 2026.

British Colombia updates Provincial Nominee Program

On 23 April 2025, British Colombia (BC) announced updates to its Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP):

The Entry Level and Semi-Skilled (ELSS) stream is officially closed. The last invitations for this stream were issued on 10 December 2024. ELSS will soon be removed from the registration system and Program Guide. Individuals who were planning to apply under the ELSS stream may wish to explore alternative pathways to immigrate to BC.

The BC PNP will not be launching new student streams. Completion of studies in BC/Canada will continue to receive additional registration points under the BC PNP.

The final draw for BC PNP priority technology occupations occurred on 3 December 2024. The BC PNP will continue to issue targeted invitations for individuals creating high economic impact in BC to capture top talent across all sectors, including technology. All occupations on the previous technology occupations list remain eligible for the BC PNP.

The list of priority occupations related to healthcare and construction has been updated, and the program will be expanding the list of ineligible occupations and employers to focus nominations on priorities and strengthen program integrity.

More details about these changes will be included in an updated BC PNP Skills Immigration Program Guide which will be posted on the BC PNP Documents page in the near future.

April 2026 -  New digital passport applications

The Danish Immigration Service has launched two new digital solutions for applying for passports for foreign nationals in Denmark – one for adults and one for children. Foreign nationals in Denmark who wish to apply for a new passport or extend the validity of their current passport must use these new digital applications

If the application concerns a child

If the applicant is a child under the age of 18, a parent or guardian must submit the application on behalf of the child.

If the child has two parents, the other parent must generally give consent. If the other parent lives in Denmark and is registered for Digital Post, they must give their consent digitally as part of the digital application.

Payment and appearance in person

Applicants for a new passport must pay a fee online on nyidanmark.dk during the application process, before submitting the application.

Once the applicant has submitted their digital application, they must appear in person at the Danish Immigration Service’s Citizen Service in order to:

• have their passport photo taken
• provide their signature
• have their fingerprints recorded.

Children under the age of 12 are not required to have fingerprints recorded.

Applicants do not need to bring a passport photo (even if they have previously been instructed to bring one). However, they must bring the receipt confirming they have submitted their application digitally.

Extension of passport validity

In certain cases, passport holders can have the validity of their current passport extended. It is free of charge to extend the validity of a passport, and applicants do not need to appear in person at the Danish Immigration Service’s Citizen Service.

New salary level for herdsmen and farm managers

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that 3F (agricultural trade union) and GLS-A (agricultural employers’ association) have entered into a new collective agreement (the Agricultural Agreement).

Under the agreement, valid from 1 March 2026, they have decided on a new indicative salary level for herdsmen and farm managers in the agricultural sector. Applications submitted to SIRI on 23 April 2026 and later will be covered by the new salary level.

When SIRI processes applications for residence and work permits for herdsmen and farm managers, it assesses, among other things, whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards. If the salary is lower than the indicative salary level, SIRI will assess that the salary does not correspond to Danish standards.

Herdsmen

The monthly salary for a herdsman will be considered to correspond to Danish standards if the total salary, including or excluding pension contributions, amounts to:

• as of 1 March 2026, at least DKK 35,352.96.
• as of 1 June 2026, at least DKK 35,705.18.

For employment that is not covered by the agricultural agreement entered into between GLS-A and 3F or the interdisciplinary agreement entered into between Arbejdsgiverforeningen KA (Christian employers’ association) and Det Faglige Hus (trade union), it also applies that overtime and supplemental rates for work during specific hours should be paid in accordance with the agricultural agreement.

Supplemental rates for working overtime:

• DKK 225.95 per hour for the first two hours after the end of normal working hours;
• DKK 312.86 per hour for the subsequent hours as well as for work carried out on Sundays and on public holidays.

Supplemental rates for work during specific hours:

• DKK 25.35 per hour when working before 5:00 a.m.
• DKK 154.74 per day for working after 12 p.m. on Saturdays,
• DKK 327.75 per day for working on Sundays and public holidays.

Farm managers

The monthly salary for a farm manager will generally be considered to correspond to Danish standards if the salary exceeds the salary of herdsmen and at the same time reflects the managerial content and responsibility of the position. If SIRI is in doubt whether the salary level corresponds to Danish standards, the matter will be sent to the Regional Labour Market Councils for consultation, which will then assess whether the salary corresponds to Danish standards.

March 2026 - Updated AR1 application form for first-time applicants who have been offered a job in Denmark

The Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) has announced that on 27 March 2026 it will update application form AR1 with a simpler structure and improved guidance that clarifies what information is required.

 

AR1 can be used for several schemes for first-time applicants who have been offered a job in Denmark. This update will provide a more streamlined application process and several language improvements.

Employers who have started the first part of an AR1 before 27 March 2026 must ensure that they submit their part of the application with enough time left for the employee to complete and submit their part of the application by Sunday 26 April 2026.

Employees whose employer has already either started or submitted the first part of an AR1 before 27 March 2026 must submit their part of the application by Sunday 26 April 2026. The same applies if they have already started filling in part 2 of the application.

Employers and employees can find their ongoing applications here.

If the employer starts an application after 26 March 2026, they and the employee will automatically complete the updated AR1.

 

Which schemes are affected?

 

AR1 can be used to apply for the following schemes:

• The Pay Limit scheme
• The Supplementary Pay Limit scheme
• The Positive List for People with a Higher Education
• The Positive List for Skilled Work
• Researcher (not PhD)
• Guest researcher
• Trainee
• Special individual qualifications
• Mobile workplaces at sea
• Herdsman or farm manager
• Labour Market Attachment.

New access to entry to the Faroe Islands and Greenland for third-country nationals

The Danish immigration authorities have announced that, effective immediately, third-country nationals holding a residence permit in Denmark or another Schengen country can travel to the Faroe Islands and Greenland on the basis of their residence permit.

 

The change has been made following consultation with the Faroese and Greenlandic authorities.

Holder of a residence permit in Denmark or another Schengen country

A third-country national who has a residence permit in Denmark or another Schengen country can travel to the Faroe Islands and Greenland on the basis of their residence permit.

This means that they:

• no longer need a visa to travel to the Faroe Islands or Greenland if their residence permit has been issued by a Schengen country other than Denmark.
• no longer need an entry permit if they travel from Denmark to the Faroe Islands or Greenland.

Holder of a residence card issued under EU regulations

A third-country national who has a right to reside in the EU/EEA countries and Switzerland as a family member of an EU citizen (who is covered by the EU regulations on free movement under Directive 2004/38/EC) may also enter the Faroe Islands and Greenland on the basis of their residence card.

Holder of a D visa from another Schengen country

A third-country national who only has a long-stay visa issued by a Schengen country other than Denmark (D visa) must still obtain a visa in order to enter the Faroe Islands or Greenland.

Those in Denmark for a short stay on a visa (C visa) who wish to travel onward to the Faroe Islands or Greenland and who do not hold a visa valid for the Faroe Islands or Greenland must apply for an entry permit.

Documents to bring when entering

Travellers to the Faroe Islands or Greenland must bring their residence permit (physical residence card), and valid travel documentation.

May 2026 - EU adopts more favourable Schengen visa rules for Thailand

On 18 May 2026, the Thailand delegation of the European External Action Service (EEAS) announced that, on 8 May 2026, the European Commission approved the application of the European Union’s Visa Cascade regime to Thai nationals residing in Thailand who apply for short-stay Schengen visas at the embassies or consulates of Schengen States in Thailand.

This was confirmed by the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

This measure, which has now come into effect, will facilitate the issuance of longer-validity short-stay visas to Thai passport holders who have previously obtained Schengen visas and maintained a good travel record, thereby reducing the need for frequent visa applications and saving both time and costs.

Under the Visa Cascade scheme, applicants who have previously obtained and lawfully used a Schengen visa may be eligible for multiple-entry visas with progressively longer validity accordingly:

• For a validity period of one year, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used one visa within the previous two years.
• For a validity period of two years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for one year within the previous three years.
• For a validity period of five years, provided that the applicant has obtained and lawfully used a previous multiple-entry visa valid for two years within the previous four years.

The Visa Cascade is not a Schengen visa exemption. Thai passport holders will continue to be required to apply for Schengen visas through the normal process, and the applicable requirements remain unchanged. To be eligible for longer-validity visas, applicants must maintain a good travel record, including full compliance with the laws and regulations of destination countries.

Thailand is currently one of seven countries to have been granted the Visa Cascade regime, following India, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Oman in 2024, and Turkey and Indonesia in 2025.

Schengen visas allow the holder to travel freely in the Schengen area for short stays of a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. The visas are not purpose-bound, but they do not grant the right to work.

The Schengen area consists of 29 European countries (of which 25 are EU states): Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden, along with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

April 2026

The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational as of April 10, 2026. This digital border management system replaces traditional passport stamping for non-EU nationals entering 29 participating European countries and introduces automated overstay detection capabilities.

 

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KEY DETAILS

 

• Effective Date: April 10, 2026 (following a phased rollout from October 12, 2025)
• Scope: All non-EU nationals crossing external Schengen borders for short stays
• Data Automatically Captured by the European Union's Entry/Exit System:
  • Traveler name and travel document details
  • Biometric data (fingerprints and facial image)
  • Entry and exit timestamps
  • Refusals of entry
• Primary Impact: Automated overstay detection – the system will identify travelers who exceed their authorized stay period.
• Benefit: Increased of automated border controls and self-service kiosks are expected to reduce processing times at major entry points.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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For Global Mobility Managers

 

• Update pre-travel briefings for assignees and business travelers to Europe
• Review and revise compliance processes related to Schengen short stays
• Ensure travelers understand biometric data collection requirements
• Monitor stay durations closely to avoid automated overstay flags

The European Union's Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational as of April 10, 2026. This digital border management system replaces traditional passport stamping for non-EU nationals entering 29 participating European countries and introduces automated overstay detection capabilities.

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KEY DETAILS

• Effective Date: April 10, 2026 (following a phased rollout from October 12, 2025)
• Scope: All non-EU nationals crossing external Schengen borders for short stays
• Data Automatically Captured by the European Union's Entry/Exit System:
  • Traveler name and travel document details
  • Biometric data (fingerprints and facial image)
  • Entry and exit timestamps
  • Refusals of entry
• Primary Impact: Automated overstay detection – the system will identify travelers who exceed their authorized stay period.
• Benefit: Increased of automated border controls and self-service kiosks are expected to reduce processing times at major entry points.

---

For Global Mobility Managers

• Update pre-travel briefings for assignees and business travelers to Europe
• Review and revise compliance processes related to Schengen short stays
• Ensure travelers understand biometric data collection requirements

Monitor stay durations closely to avoid automated overstay flags 

April 2026 - Entry/Exit System becomes fully operational 10 April 2026

The European Commission has confirmed that the EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) will become fully operational as of 10 April 2026.

The EES, which started operations on 12 October 2025 with a progressive roll-out in 29 European countries, replaces passport stamping with digitally recorded entries, exits or refusals of entry of non-EU nationals coming for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). Travellers’ facial image, fingerprints and personal data from the travel document are recorded at the border on entry.

The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) is scheduled to start operations in the last quarter of 2026. ETIAS changes the way visa-free nationals travel to 30 European countries for a short stay (up to 90 days within any 180-day period). It requires these travellers to apply for a travel authorisation online before a trip.

February 2026 - Commission adopts a first-ever EU Visa Strategy

On 29 January 2026, the European Commission adopted its first-ever EU Visa Strategy. It sets out a framework for a strategic visa policy that aims to advance the EU's long-term interests, allowing it to be better equipped for growing mobility as well as the consequences of regional instability and geopolitical competition.

The Strategy aims to make Europe (1) safer, by strengthening the first line of security screening; (2) more prosperous and competitive, by facilitating access for those who contribute to our economies and societies; (3) more influential globally, by advancing the EU's strategic interests, values, and global standing; and (4) more efficient, through a smarter, modern and coherent visa policy.

Alongside the Strategy, the Commission has adopted a Recommendation on attracting talent for innovation, to make the EU more attractive to highly qualified and skilled professionals, students, researchers and innovative entrepreneurs and to support the EU's competitiveness in a global context.

The Visa Strategy is built on three key pillars:
1.    Strengthening the EU's security
•    A modern assessment framework for granting visa-free status to partner countries.
•    Stronger monitoring of existing visa-free regimes under the reformed Visa Suspension Mechanism.
•    Stronger visa leverages, which allows the EU to take targeted visa measures in cases of lack of cooperation on return and readmission and introducing ad hoc measures to incentivise cooperation on security and against illegal migration. This will be done through a revision of the Visa Code in 2026.
•    Possible targeted restrictive visa measures to suspend, refuse or restrict visa applications in response to hostile actions by third countries that undermine EU security, as part of the Visa Code revision, in consultation with Member States.
•    New measures to strengthen travel document security to counter fraud, with new harmonised definitions and sanctions at EU level for document fraud.
2.    Boosting prosperity and competitiveness 
•    New digital procedures for both visa-free and visa required travellers: ETIAS will simplify and partly automate pre-departure checks for visa-free travellers, as of Q4 2026. Digital visa procedures will allow visa-required applicants to complete the entire visa application process online. 
•    Multiple entry visas with a longer validity for trusted travellers, to stimulate economic activity and reward visitors with a proven travel history and a common list of verified companies, to facilitate visa processes for business travellers invited by trusted sponsors.
•    Better conditions for talent: exploring possible amendments to EU rules on students and researchers and highly qualified and skilled workers and exploring a targeted EU legal framework for start-up and scale-up founders and innovative entrepreneurs.
•    Additional support to non-EU nationals and employers to address challenges related to the visa process through European Legal Gateway Offices.
•    Additional EU funding to support visa processing for highly qualified and skilled non-EU nationals.
3.    Modern visa tools
The EU is deploying advanced digital tools to modernise visa and border management. The EU's IT systems will be interoperable by 2028, making it possible to query multiple databases at once and through a single, central search, improving information-sharing and preventing visa abuse.

Recommendation on attracting talent for innovation

The Recommendation, meanwhile, sets out concrete ways in which Member States can better use their processes to attract and retain students, researchers and highly qualified and skilled workers, startup founders and innovative entrepreneurs in key sectors for the EU's competitiveness and strategic autonomy.

The recommendations encourage Member States to have simpler and faster procedures for long-stay visa and residence permits through more digitised processes, fewer documents and shorter processing times, easier transitions to work or entrepreneurship from study or research in the EU, improved intra-EU mobility as well as better access to information and stronger coordination between Member States' authorities, universities, and research organisations.

August 2025 - Commission sets launch date for the Entry/Exit System

The European Commission has announced its decision to establish set 12 October 2025 as the launch date for the start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES).

From 12 October onwards, the EES will be progressively rolled out at the external borders of 29 European countries, over a period of six months. This progressive roll-out will give border authorities, travellers and the transport industry more time to adjust to new procedures. 

The EES is an advanced IT system that will digitally record the entries and exits of non-EU nationals travelling to 29 European countries, for short stays. It will register biometric data, such as fingerprints, facial images, and other travel information. 

From 12 October onwards, European countries using the EES will start introducing the EES gradually over a period of six months. Border authorities will progressively register the data of third country nationals crossing the external Schengen borders. At the end of the progressive period, the EES will be fully deployed at all border crossing points.  

In the coming months, the Commission, along with European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security and Justice (eu-LISA), will keep working closely with European countries using the EES to ensure a smooth deployment of the system. As the launch date approaches, travellers can expect to see information campaigns and awareness-raising activities at border crossing points, including airports across the European countries using the EESU, as well as at consulates in third countries. 

July 2025 - ETIAS will cost EUR 20

The European Commission has announced a new fee for non-EU travellers who do not need a visa to enter 30 European countries. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) fee will be EUR 20 instead of the previous EUR 7. This increase aims to cover the operational costs of ETIAS, taking into account all its functionalities and inflation rates, and align the EU fee to the ones of other countries that have similar travel authorisation programmes.

The ETIAS system is designed to make it easier for visa-exempt non-EU nationals to travel to the EU while improving security. Travellers will need to fill out an online application before their trip, providing personal information. The application will be processed automatically, and the traveller will receive a decision within minutes. Certain groups, including individuals under 18 or over 70, will be exempt from paying the fee.

The adjustment of the fee will now undergo the two-month review period of the Council and the European Parliament (renewable once). It will enter into effect as soon as ETIAS is operational, which is expected for the last quarter of 2026.

June 2025 - Agreement reached on the revision of the visa suspension mechanism

On 17 June, the European Parliament and the Council reached the provisional political agreement on the revision of the visa suspension mechanism, proposed by the Commission in October 2023.

The EU currently has a visa-free regime with 60 non-EU countries. Nationals of these countries can enter the Schengen area for short stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa.

The suspension mechanism is a safeguard against the abuse of visa-free travel. This mechanism enables the temporary suspension of the visa exemption in case of a sudden and substantial increase in irregular migration or security risks.

The revised rules include:

• New grounds to suspend visa-free regimes: it will be possible to trigger the visa suspension mechanism not only in case of sudden and substantial increase in irregular migration, lack of readmission cooperation, or security risks, but also in cases of insufficient alignment with the EU's visa policy, hybrid threats, the operation of investor citizenship schemes, and the deterioration of the external relations between the EU and visa-free non-EU countries;
• Lower thresholds to trigger the suspension mechanism, to make it easier to act in cases of misuse of visa- free arrangements;
• A swifter and more flexible procedure, to react faster in case of need (for instance in case of security threats or a high increase in arrivals), and to allow more time for remedial actions by the partner country;
• Stronger monitoring and reporting obligations: The Commission will now report to the European Parliament and the Council on any visa-free countries where challenges are identified.

The Regulation must now be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council before it enters into force, which will happen 20 days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

Commission proposal for extension of temporary protection

On 4 June 2025, the European Commission proposed to prolong the temporary protection for people fleeing Russia’s aggression against Ukraine until 4 March 2027. This aims to provide beneficiaries of temporary protection and Member States with legal certainty, ensuring that the same standards of protection continue to apply across the EU.

Temporary Protection is currently in place until March 2026.

The Commission has also proposed a set of measures to prepare a coordinated transition out of temporary protection, by way of a Council Recommendation.

The Council Recommendation outlines measures to support beneficiaries of temporary protection, including promoting integration into host countries and facilitating a smooth return to Ukraine. This will be achieved through initiatives such as voluntary return programmes, exploratory visits, and information hubs that provide guidance on integration and return options. The Commission will also appoint a Special Envoy to support Member States in this process and ensure coordination with Ukrainian authorities.

It is now for the Council to formally adopt the proposal for the extension of temporary protection by one year and to endorse the Recommendation proposed by the Commission.

May 2025 - Agreement on a progressive start of the Entry/Exit system

On 19 May 2025, the European Parliament and the European Council reached political agreement on the European Commission's proposal for a progressive start of operations of the Entry/Exit System (EES).

The agreement will allow member states to gradually benefit from the many advantages and capabilities of the system, while giving border authorities, the transport industry and travellers more time to adjust to the new procedures. 

The EES is a state-of-the-art IT system that will digitally record the person's name, type of the travel document, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images) and the date and place of entry and exit. 

The EES will modernise the management of the external borders, facilitate travel, reduce identity fraud, while strengthening the security of the Schengen area. It will also simplify border procedures and improve travellers' experience. Upon the completion of the progressive period, the EES will also automatically identify overstayers across all countries using the system. It will allow member states’ authorities to know who enters and exits the Schengen area and access essential information when needed.  

Next Steps

The Regulation must now be formally adopted by the European Parliament and the Council.  It will enter into force three days after publication in the Official Journal of the EU.

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.

May 2026 - Proposal to change residence permit for startup entrepreneurs is sent out for comments

The government has announced that its proposed changes to the residence permit process for startup entrepreneurs have been sent out for comments.

The proposed changes now in public consultation would streamline the residence permit process for startup entrepreneurs. The aim is to allocate the resources of authorities to those applicants that genuinely plan to establish a growth company in Finland. Another goal is to prevent abuse of the system.

Under the current rules, an applicant for a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur must obtain in advance a statement from Business Finland evaluating whether the startup company shows potential for international growth. A significant number of these statements have been negative, and have failed to result in a residence permit being granted or the applicant moving to Finland as a startup entrepreneur. Abuse has been suspected in some cases.

According to the proposed change, there would no longer be a separate advance application for Business Finland’s statement. From now on, the evaluation would be included in the residence permit application subject to a fee. The change is expected to prevent incomplete and low-quality applications and thereby save the resources of the authorities. At the same time, the conditions for granting a residence permit for a startup entrepreneur would be clarified and laid down in law.

A foreign national applying for the first residence permit as an entrepreneur could apply for a Finnish business identity code after the permit has been granted. The present rules require the applicant to have a business ID already before submitting the application, even though the permit will not necessarily be granted.

The changes are not expected to considerably impact Finland’s ability to attract international startup entrepreneurs. Instead, the aim is to create a seamless residence permit process for applicants who genuinely plan to establish a company or a startup business in Finland.

The comment period will continue until 8 July 2026. The government proposal is due to be submitted during the autumn session of 2026. The amendments would enter into force in early 2028.

May 2026 - Government proposes immigration reforms for international students

On 30 April 2026, the government announced two proposed legislative packages to address the income difficulties faced by some international students in Finland.

The first package would allow the authorities to more easily cancel the residence permit of a non-EU/EEA national student in higher or upper secondary education if the student resorted to social assistance in Finland even once. This is expected to reduce the number of people applying for social assistance. The changes would enter into force in autumn 2026

Automated post-decision monitoring would be used by the Finnish Immigration Service to determine whether a student receives social assistance. An overall consideration would be carried out in each case before the permit was cancelled.

As part of its automated post-decision monitoring, the Finnish Immigration Service processed over 37,000 residence permits between September 2023 and December 2025. A student had applied for social assistance in 333 cases, which means that they account for a very small part of the total number of international students

In addition to this proposal, the government is preparing a second package of legislation to help international students from experiencing income difficulties.

• The family of a student would be able to apply for a residence permit in Finland only after the student has been in Finland for one year. In this way, the student would have a realistic idea of the income level required for living in Finland in advance.
• The income requirement for students would be clarified and provisions on the required income in euros would be laid down in an act and decree.
• A language proficiency requirement would be added to the residence permit for study in order to prevent abuse in cases where the student’s language skills are not sufficient for studying in Finland.
• Furthermore, the grounds for denial of the Aliens Act would apply to upper secondary students and all their family members. This would make it easier to monitor the granting of permits and combat any challenges in advance.

The government is scheduled to send the second legislative package for public consultation in spring 2026 and it would enter into force during 2027.

April 2026 -  Russian citizens are recommended to apply for visa with biometric passport starting from May 2026

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs decided in March 2026 that, from 1 June 2026, Finland will not accept non-biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation. The objective of the decision is to ensure that travel documents are as reliable as possible.

On 20 April 2026, the Ministry advised holders of non‑biometric passports who plan to apply for a visa or residence permit to prepare well in advance for the change.

The Ministry recommends that visa applications be submitted with a biometric passport from 1 May 2026, as it cannot guarantee that it will be able to process later applications before the decision is applied on 1 June 2026.

The decision includes a transition period from 1 June to 31 December 2026. During the transition period, Finland will accept non-biometric passports issued by Russia when they contain a valid visa that was issued by Finland before 1 June 2026. During this period, Finland will also accept non-biometric passports that contain a valid visa or a residence permit that was issued by another EU Member State or Schengen country before 1 June 2026.

There are three exceptions to the decision. Finland will continue to accept, including after the transition period, non-biometric passports as follows:

• Finland will accept non-biometric passports issued to persons under the age of 18;
• Finland will accept non-biometric passports if Finland has granted the holder of the passport a residence permit before 1 June 2026. A holder of a non-biometric passport may apply for an extension on a residence permit granted by Finland;
• Where there is a special reason for a person to apply for an entry permit or to reside in the country, a non-biometric passport may be accepted based on individual consideration.

Finland has restricted the entry of Russian citizens by issuing two government resolutions, the first in 2022 and the second in 2023: non-essential travel by Russian citizens to Finland and through Finland to the rest of the Schengen area is banned for the time being.

January 2026 - Changes to Finnish Immigration Service processing fees as of 1 January 2026

Some of the processing fees of the Finnish Immigration Service were updated on 1 January 2026. The processing fees charged by the Finnish Immigration Service are laid down in a decree issued by the Ministry of the Interior. Some processing fees for residence permit applications have been increased to reflect the costs of processing.

The processing fees for using Enter Finland to submit an online application are almost always lower than for paper applications.

Examples of changed fees

• Until now, applying for an extended permit on the basis of international protection has not been subject to a fee. From now on, the processing fee for an application for an extended permit on the basis of international protection is EUR 53.
• As of 1 January 2026, the processing fee for an online application for a first residence permit for an employed person is EUR 750. In 2025, the fee was EUR 590. The processing fee for a paper application for a first residence permit for an employed person increases from EUR 750 to EUR 950.
• The processing fee for an online application for a permanent residence permit will be EUR 380. Previously, the fee was EUR 240. The processing fee for a paper application for a permanent residence permit increases from EUR 350 to EUR 600.
• The processing fee for an online application for a first residence permit for studies increases to EUR 600. Previously, the fee was EUR 450. The processing fee for a paper application for a first residence permit for studies increases from EUR 550 to EUR 750.
• As of 1 January 2026, the processing fee for an online application for a first residence permit for an entrepreneur is EUR 750. Previously, the fee was EUR 550. The processing fee for a paper application increases from EUR 700 to EUR 900.

For applications that became pending on 31 December 2025 at the latest, the applicant will be charged the processing fee applicable in 2025.

All the latest processing fees can be found on the page Processing fees and payment methods. 

January 2026 - Legislative amendments concerning permanent residence permits to enter into force in January

Amendments to the Aliens Act, which will tighten the requirements of permanent residence permits, enter into force on 8 January 2026.

General changes

• In the future, issuing a permanent residence permit will require, with certain exceptions, six years of continuous residence in Finland.
• Applicants for a permanent residence permit will need to have sufficient knowledge of Finnish or Swedish and a two-year work history, although some exceptions will apply.
• It will still be possible to obtain a permanent residence permit after four years of uninterrupted residence if the applicant also meets one of the following conditions:
  • Annual income of EUR 40,000 or
  • A master's degree or postgraduate degree recognised in Finland and at least two years of work history, or
  • Particularly good knowledge of Finnish or Swedish and at least three years of work history.
• A permanent residence permit can be obtained without the required period of residence if the applicant has completed a master's degree, a postgraduate degree or a bachelor's degree in Finland. If the applicant has completed a bachelor's degree at a university of applied sciences, the period of residence requirement must be met.
• A child under the age of 18 can receive a permanent residence permit without the required period of residence if their guardian has a permanent residence permit, a P-EU residence permit or Finnish citizenship.
• Granting an EU residence permit (P-EU) to a long-term resident who is a third-country citizen requires good knowledge of Finnish or Swedish.
• An unconditional sentence of imprisonment affects the calculation of the residence period for both permanent residence permits and P-EU residence permits.

In addition, applicants must also meet the other requirements for obtaining a residence permit. 

The amendments apply to applications submitted on or after 8 January 2026

The amendments to the Aliens Act will not affect applications for a permanent residence permit or a P-EU residence permit submitted before the entry into force of the Act on 8 January 2026.

 

Those applying for a permanent residence permit can submit their application approximately three months before the required period of residence is completed. They also do not have to wait until their current permit expires.

The legislative amendments will not affect applications submitted before 8 January 2026 even if the appointment to prove identity at a service point is scheduled for after that date.

The Immigration Service will make a decision on applications submitted on or after 8 January 2026 in accordance with the amended legislation.

Permanent residence permit and P-EU residence permit application form renewal

 

The Immigration Service will renew application forms for permanent residence permits in the Enter Finland service on 8 January 2026 at 12 a.m. (Finnish time). The service will not be available during the update.

Applications in the system that have not been submitted before this renewal will disappear from the service during the renewal. Applicants who have an unfinished application in the system should complete their application and submit it by 11:59 p.m. on 7 January 2026 (Finnish time) to avoid having to restart the application.

Enter Finland’s form renewal applies to the following residence permits:

• Permanent residence permit and EU residence permit for a long-term resident who is a third-country citizen (P-EU permit)
• Permanent residence permit for a child and EU residence permit for a child of a long-term resident who is a third-country citizen (P-EU permit)

The paper application forms for permanent residence permits and P-EU residence permits will also be renewed.

Changes to government immigration fees in 2026

The Ministry of the Interior has issued a new decree on the Finnish Immigration Service’s fees. The decree will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and remain in force until 31 December 2026.

The processing fees for residence permit applications will be increased in order to better reflect the costs of processing incurred by the Finnish Immigration Service. The increases range from EUR 50 to EUR 250.

For example, processing an electronic application for a permanent residence permit will cost EUR 380 (previously EUR 240) and processing a paper application will cost EUR 600 (previously EUR 350). The processing fees for electronic applications continue to be lower than those of paper applications. The reason is that processing electronic applications is less costly for the Finnish Immigration Service.

All applications concerning minors and the first residence permit applications are still subject to a fee lower than the processing costs (excluding the first residence permit application of an employee, a start-up entrepreneur, an entrepreneur and a student). However, these fees will also be increased closer to cost equivalence. For example, processing an electronic application for an adult’s first residence permit will cost EUR 750 (previously EUR 530) and processing a paper application will cost EUR 800 (previously EUR 580).

Applying for international protection continues to be free of charge. However, the processing fee for an application for an extension based on international protection is EUR 53.

Changes to passport and identity card fees in 2026

The Ministry of the Interior has issued decrees on fees charged by the police and the Finnish Security and Intelligence Service. The decrees will enter into force on 1 January 2026 and be effective until 31 December 2026.

Depending on the application method, the prices of passports will decrease by EUR 7–9, and the prices of identity cards by EUR 6–8. In 2026, the price of a passport applied for in person will be EUR 48, and the price of a passport applied for electronically will be EUR 42. In 2026, the price of an identity card applied for in person will be EUR 59, and the price of an identity card applied for electronically will be EUR 53. If an identity card is applied for simultaneously with a passport, its price will be EUR 51 when applied for in person. The decrease in prices is due to the increase in the number of applicants for 2026.

Proposal to introduce citizenship test

Finland is set to introduce a citizenship test. Civic knowledge would be added as a new requirement for acquiring citizenship. The Ministry of the Interior has sent out for comments proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act and certain other acts.

The citizenship test will measure knowledge of how Finnish society works, its key principles, and the rights and responsibilities of individuals. Applicants could also demonstrate sufficient civic knowledge by passing the Finnish matriculation examination in Finnish or Swedish. Those who have completed a higher education degree in Finnish or Swedish would not be required to take the test.

The test questions will be based on predefined and publicly available learning material on civic orientation. The test would include questions on the values of Finnish society, key legislation, fundamental and human rights, equality, gender equality, and Finland’s history and culture.  Applicants would take the computer-based test in Finnish or Swedish.

The Finnish Immigration Service will take on new official duties related to the citizenship test. It will commission a university to prepare the test.

The introduction of the citizenship test is part of a broader reform of the Citizenship Act, which tightens the conditions for acquiring citizenship. The aim is to encourage integration, work and compliance with the rules of Finnish society.

The deadline for submitting comments is 6 February 2026. The proposed legislative amendments are intended to enter into force at the beginning of 2027, when the citizenship test could also be introduced.

May 2026 - Minimum Wage Increase Effective June 1, 2026

The Ministry of Labor and Solidarity has confirmed a mid‑year increase to the statutory minimum wage (SMIC) due to elevated inflation levels.

Beginning June 1, 2026, the hourly SMIC will increase from €12.02 to €12.31, resulting in a new gross monthly minimum salary of €1,867.02 (previously €1,823.03). This reflects a 2.41% rise, or €43.99 per month.

As a result, salary‑based eligibility thresholds for several immigration categories will increase accordingly. Employers sponsoring foreign nationals should review ongoing and upcoming applications to ensure they meet the revised minimum salary requirements.

May 2026 - Residence permit fees increase

The government has announced increases in the cost of the tax that a foreign national must pay for the issuance of a residence permit, effective 1 May 2026.

To obtain a temporary residence card, a multi-year residence card or a resident card, a foreign national wishing to reside in France must buy a tax stamp. This payment must be made once the application has been accepted, for the issuance of the document.

From 1 May 2026, the amount of this tax stamp is EUR 350 for the first-time issuance of one of these residence permits (compared to EUR 225 previously).

A reduced rate applies to residence permits issued for certain reasons, for example:

• seasonal worker;
• student;
• job search or business creation;
• family reunification;
• au pair.

From May 1st, this reduced tax stamp rate will be EUR 150 (compared to EUR 75 previously).

The cost for the renewal of a residence permit has also increased to EUR 250 (compared to EUR 225 previously).

The reduced rate for renewals, which applies in the same situations as for a first-time issuance, is now set at EUR 100 (compared to EUR 75 previously).

The cost of the tax stamp for obtaining a duplicate residence permit is now the same as for the first-time issuance of the document: EUR 350 for the normal rate, and EUR 150 for the reduced rate.

 

A new tax for provisional residence permits

A new fee has been established for the issuance and renewal of a provisional residence permit, which is issued to foreign nationals carrying out a volunteer mission in France, or who are parents of a seriously ill minor child). This now costs EUR 100.

Two categories of people are exempt from paying this tax:

• people coming out of prostitution engaged in a social and professional integration process;
• beneficiaries of temporary protection.

 

Other changes to immigration fees

 

Several other tariff provisions concerning foreign nationals came into force on 1 May 2026.

The tax stamp for applications for naturalization and reintegration into French nationality, and for declarations of acquisition of nationality, has increased to EUR 255, up from EUR 55 previously. In Guyana, the amount of this tax stamp is halved in accordance with the provisions of the General Tax Code; it is therefore set at EUR 127.50, compared to EUR 27.50 previously.

 

The regularization visa fee is now EUR 300, including EUR 100 non-refundable deposit which is due at the submission of the regularization application (compared to EUR 200, including EUR 50 non-refundable deposit previously). The right to a regularization visa is applicable to foreigners who entered France irregularly, or who do not have a residence permit within the regulatory deadlines.

The amount of the tax for a long-stay visa valid as a residence permit or exempt from a residence permit has been set at EUR 300 as of 1 May 2026, compared to EUR 200 previously. A reduced rate is applied for certain statuses (seasonal worker, student, family reunification, job search or business creation, etc.). This reduced rate is now EUR 100, compared to EUR 50 previously.

 

The Finance Act for 2026 provides for these tax increases.

Updated short-term mobility and experience rules for EU Blue Card

Decree No. 2026-308 of 24 April 2026 has finally transposed the short-term intra-EU mobility provisions of the EU Blue card Directive (2021/1883). This complements the changes introduced in May 2025.

The decree adds to article R5221-2 of the French Labour Code the following new categories of individual who are exempt from the requirement to obtain a French work permit:

• A holder of an EU long-term residence card marked “former holder of an EU Blue Card;
• A holder of an EU Blue Card.

These categories of highly-qualified non-EU national are now permitted to carry out paid work in France without a French work permit for up to 90 days in any period of 180 days, thus simplifying their short-term assignments in France.

Qualificationby experience

The new decree also introduces a new article of the Labour Code (Article R421-21 C) stating that ministers will publish a list of occupations in which an applicant with at least three years of experience in the previous seven years can qualify for an EU Blue Card.

This ministerial order establishing the list of occupations has not yet been published. In other occupations, five years of professional experience is required, or a three-year higher education decree.

September 2025 - New salary threshold for the “Talent - Qualified Employee” residence permit

New salary threshold for the “Talent - Qualified Employee” residence permit

The “Talent – Qualified Employee” residence permit covers employees on assignment, employees of a young innovative company and young graduates.

Effective 31 August 2025, these residence permits now have a standardized salary threshold, no longer based on the minimum wage (SMIC), but on an average annual gross salary set by ministerial order.

The ministerial order of 29 August 2025 sets the average annual gross salary applicable to the “Talent – Qualified Employee” residence permit at EUR 39,582.

This change enhances the attractiveness of the “Talent – Qualified Employee” scheme, as the applicable salary threshold has been reduced by 8% compared with the previous level.

New salary threshold for the “Talent – EU Blue Card” residence permit

For the “Talent – EU Blue Card” residence permit, the method of calculation remains unchanged: the salary threshold continues to be set at 1.5 times the average annual gross salary established by ministerial order.

In light of the new average annual gross salary set by the ministerial order of 29 August 2025 , the applicable threshold for the “Talent – EU Blue Card” residence permit is now EUR 59,373.

On 13 June 2025, the French government published Decree No. 2025-539, which consolidates and clarifies the new rules for ‘talent’ residence permits introduced over the last year and a half. Among the changes are the following:

• The salary threshold required to qualify for the "Talent - Qualified Employee" status must now be at least equal to the average annual gross reference salary, as set by order of the Minister in charge of immigration. The reference salary is currently EUR 35,891 per year, following an order dated 28 October 2016. Previously, the salary threshold for this category was twice the French legal minimum wage (currently EUR 43,243.20).
• To qualify for the "Talent in the Medical and Pharmacy Profession" status, the gross annual salary must be at least equal to the second level of the salary scale for associate practitioners. Currently this is EUR 41,386.48 per year.
• Holders of an EU Blue Card issued by another EU member state who apply for a "Talent - European Blue Card" residence permit on arrival in France will be notified of a decision on the application within a maximum of 30 days, rather than 90 days as for holders of a long-stay visa. If approved, the applicant will also receive a Temporary Residence Permit permitting work.

The decree also introduces changes to the “Entrepreneur/Liberal profession” and the “Job Search or Business Creation” residence permits.

June 2025 - Updated list of shortage professions

On 22 May 2025, the Ministry of Labour, Health, Solidarity and Families published a decree establishing a new list of “métiers en tension” (shortage occupations) by region.

The long-awaited list is based on the level of pressure on recruitment and the proportion of non-EU national foreign workers in each occupation.

For the listed professions, employers can recruit foreign workers outside the European Union without having to submit a job offer in advance.

Moreover, workers in shortage professions with an irregular immigration status can apply for a temporary residence permit for “exceptional admission to stay” (“AES”). Eligible employees can apply in a personal capacity, without the consent of their employer, subject to conditions of duration of residence and activity, and the temporary residence permit is issued at the discretion of the prefect.

The 2025 list includes, depending on the region:

• construction and public works workers,
• salaried farmers, market gardeners/horticulturists,
• home helpers, domestic helpers, kitchen helpers, cooks,
• domestic workers and housekeeping staff,
• Hotel and catering professions.

This list is part of the law of 26 January 2024 to control immigration and improve integration.

A first list of professions in tension was established in 2021 and updated in March 2024. It is expected to be revised each year to adapt to changes in the labour market and business needs.

May 2025 - Amendments to the rules for visa-free entry for certain nationalities

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia has published

a statement clarifying the amendments adopted on 17 April 2025 to the existing Resolution which allows nationals of certain countries holding a visa and/or residence permit from a Gulf state to enter Georgia without a visa.

According to the Ministry, the amendments serve to tighten the right of citizens of certain countries to enter Georgia without a visa and serve to combat illegal migration.

According to the Resolution before the amendments, citizens of the listed countries had the right to enter Georgia if they held a visa or a residence permit from a Gulf state, although the validity period of the visa was not defined.

These nationals will now only have the right to enter and stay in Georgia without a visa if the validity period of the multiple-entry visa and/or residence permit issued by a Gulf state has a validity of at least one year on the day of their entry to Georgia.

Specifically, the restriction applies to citizens of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Ghana, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Yemen, Cameroon, Cote d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Syria, Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda who hold a visa and residency from one of the Gulf countries.

January 2026 - New obligation for employers

On 1 January 2026, Section 45c of the Residence Act became effective. Employers must now inform their skilled workers from third countries about the free advisory service from “Fair Integration” on employment and social law issues.

This notification must be given no later than the first day of work, and it must include the contact details of the advisory centre nearest to the workplace.

For this purpose, Fair Integration has created a leaflet for employers in German and information for employees in various languages, including German, English, Arabic, Turkish, Ukrainian and Russian.  

Employers hiring a third-country national skilled worker after 1 January 2026 should download the information leaflet for employees in the appropriate language from the Fair Integration website, tick the advisory location that is closest to the company on the list, and give the leaflet to the new employee, who can confirm notice with their signature.

If the foreign skilled worker was recruited through a placement agency, this requirement does not apply to the employer, but to the agency. 

Fair Integration is a nationwide, free, multilingual advisory service for third-country nationals. The advisory service is aimed both at third-country nationals who are already in Germany and third-country nationals abroad who would like to work in Germany.

Topics for advice may include, among others:
•    employment contract
•    wage, minimum wage
•    working hours, vacation, sick leave
•    warnings, termination
•    temporary work, seasonal work
•    social security (health, pension, accident insurance, etc.)
•    rights and obligations of employees and employers.

May 2026 - Increased financial means requirement for residence and citizenship

Effective 18 May 2026, the reference amount required for an adult to be granted a residence permit or citizenship will be raised from ISK 247,572 to ISK 259,951 per month. The amount for married couples will be raised from ISK 396,115 to ISK 415,922 per month.

The amounts, which refer to pre-tax income, correspond with the financial support criteria of the City of Reykjavík.

The new reference amounts apply for applications received as of 18 May 2026.

Visa services transferred to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs

The Directorate of Immigration has announced that, with the entry into force of the new Visa Act (No. 37/2026), responsibility for visa processing has been fully transferred from the Directorate to the Ministry for Foreign Affairs.

In addition to issuing visas to Iceland, the Ministry for Foreign Affairs will from now on process applications for visa extensions and handle the issuance of visas for seafarers. Inquiries regarding visa extensions and seafarer visas should henceforth be sent to visa@utn.is.

At the same time, the provision in the Foreign Nationals Act concerning long-term visas has been repealed, and a new provision on short-term residence permits has entered into force. Foreign nationals wishing to stay in Iceland for longer than 90 days may apply for such a permit with the Directorate of Immigration, provided that the purpose of their stay does not fall under existing residence permit categories and that they do not intend to settle permanently in Iceland.

Further information on the requirements for short-term residence permits and the application process will be published on the Directorate of Immigration’s website as soon as available

January 2026 - Proposed amendments to the Aliens Act

The government has published planned amendments to the provisions of the Aliens Act concerning the issuance of residence permits and their basic conditions, as part of a full review of the residence permit regulatory framework. 
According to the government, the aims of the proposed changes are:
•    to increase the importance of security factors when processing applications for residence permits; and
•    to harmonise legal requirements and implementation with the legislation of the other Nordic countries and eliminate specific Icelandic rules in the family reunification category;

Changes are also planned to the provisions of residence permits for victims of human trafficking. 
It is proposed that two new residence permit categories be introduced: 
•    a temporary residence permit for victims of serious labour market violations; and 
•    a special residence permit for students staying in Iceland in connection with the authorities' development cooperation projects.
It is also planned to amend Article 90 of the Act to meet the requirements of Article 10(3) of Regulation (EU) 2019/1157, which stipulates that biometric information collected for the issuance of identity cards or residence documents be kept in a highly secure manner and only until the date of collection of the document and, in any case, no longer than 90 days from the date of issue. After this period, these biometric identifiers must be immediately erased or destroyed.
The government invites comments on these proposals until 6 February 2026.

January 2026 - Residence permit cards to be collected at Reykjavik supermarket

The Directorate of Immigration has begun cooperation with the supermarket chain Hagkaup regarding the collection of residence permit cards at their branch in the Skeifan area of Reykjavik, which is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

When a card is ready for collection, the applicant will receive an email with information on where to collect it.

Who can collect a residence permit card at Hagkaup

Applicants can only collect their card at Hagkaup if they had their photo for the residence permit card taken at the Directorate of Immigration and they do not have a valid residence permit card in their possession.

• They must collect the card within 7 days of receiving notification that their card is available for pickup at Hagkaup.
• If the card is not collected within that time, it will be sent to the Directorate of Immigration, Dalvegur 18, for collection.
• They must collect their card, and the cards of children in their custody, themselves. They cannot authorize another person to collect their residence permit card on their behalf.

Who cannot collect a residence permit card at Hagkaup

If the photo was taken at a District Commissioner's office, the applicant needs to collect their card from the office where the photo was taken. They can request to collect the card at Hagkaup, but such a request must be received well in advance of the card being produced.

Those who have a valid residence permit card in their possession must collect the new residence permit card and return the old card to the Directorate of Immigration or the District Commissioner's office where they had their photo taken.

Iceland - Increase in fees for residence permit and citizenship applications

Effective 1 January 2026, the Icelandic Parliament has approved increases to the fees for residence permit and citizenship applications. The same legislation also abolished the service fee for fast-track processing of applications for residence permits based on work.

For applications submitted on or after 1 January 2026, the fees below will apply.

Applications for citizenship

• Application for citizenship: ISK 60,000;
• Application for citizenship for a child: ISK 30,000;
• If an application for citizenship is submitted simultaneously for an adult and their children, only one fee is charged: ISK 60,000;
• Notification of citizenship: ISK 30,000;
• Notification of citizenship for a child: ISK 15,000.

Applications for residence permits

First residence permits

• Application for a residence permit based on work: ISK 80,000;
• Application for a residence permit based on studies: ISK 70,000;
• Application for a residence permit based on family reunification: ISK 110,000;
• Application for a residence permit based on family reunification with a holder of international protection: ISK 90,000;
• Application for a residence permit based on family reunification for a child: ISK 60,000;
• Application for a residence permit based on au pair placement: ISK 120,000;
• Application for other residence permits: ISK 40,000.

Renewals

• Application for renewal of a residence permit based on work: ISK 80,000;
• Application for renewal of a residence permit based on studies: ISK 70,000;
• Application for renewal of a residence permit based on family reunification: ISK 60,000;
• Application for renewal of a residence permit based on family reunification with a holder of international protection: ISK 60,000;
• Application for renewal of a residence permit based on family reunification for a child: ISK 40,000;
• Application for renewal of a residence permit based on au pair placement: ISK 120,000;
• Application for renewal of other residence permits: ISK 40,000.

Permanent residence permits

• Application for a permanent residence permit: ISK 60,000;
• Application for a permanent residence permit for a child: ISK 30,000.

Provisional residence permits

• Application for a provisional residence permit: ISK 40,000.

May 2026 - New Temporary Protection Transition Scheme aimed at Ukrainian nationals

The government has announced that it is preparing a new Temporary Protection Transition Scheme for Ukrainian nationals with temporary protection, based on Stamp 4 permission

It will be granted for a period of up to two years and renewable for periods of two years thereafter. Time on the permission will count towards naturalisation. The permission will include the whole family unit who have been resident in Ireland under temporary protection. It is intended that the application process for the new permission will open in September 2026.

The eligibility criteria for this permission will include:

• Being a resident in Ireland for a minimum of one year as a beneficiary of temporary protection
• Employment or self-employment for six months, with a minimum yearly salary of EUR 29,432
• Not be availing of state supported accommodation such as commercially provided, rapid build programme or hosted accommodation supported by the Accommodation Recognition Payment at the time of application

As with moves to other permissions, it will not be possible to be granted a "Stamp 4 - Temporary Protection Transition Scheme", and to hold Temporary Protection or any other immigration permission at the same time.

It is intended that this new permission will incentivise labour market participation, upskilling, and progression to independent living, while also providing clarity and certainty for people in advance of the expiry of Temporary Protection.

Further details on how to apply will be available in September 2026.

Extension of immigration permissions for beneficiaries of temporary protection

The Irish Minister for Justice, Home Affairs & Migration has extended immigration permissions for all people who are Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection up to 4 March 2027.

This extension applies to beneficiaries of temporary protection who are residing in Ireland with a Temporary Protection Certificate (yellow paper) valid until 4 March 2026.

Eligible beneficiaries do not need to apply for a new Temporary Protection Certificate and expired certificates may be used as proof of entitlement to temporary protection and related state services until 4 March 2027. They will, however, have to renew their Irish Residence Permit card (IRP card). This can be renewed here.

February 2026 - Travel Confirmation Notice extended
Immigration Services are currently experiencing a backlog in processing registrations. Following the completion of a registration, it may take a further two weeks to receive an Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card via post.
Visa-required nationals who are in possession of a valid, in-date Irish Residence Permit (IRP) card do not require any type of visa to facilitate their return to Ireland following travel.
Non-visa required nationals also do not require an IRP card or any type of visa to enable their return to Ireland following travel.
To facilitate non-EEA nationals legally resident in Ireland who are required to renew their current permission and who wished to travel internationally during the Christmas period, the Minister issued a Travel Confirmation Notice requesting carriers to allow individuals to travel on their recently expired IRP card where an application to renew their permission was submitted in advance of the expiry date of their IRP card.
This travel notice has now been extended to 28 February 2026.
The updated notice can be found here: ISD announces initiative to facilitate customers travelling at Christmas
•    IRP holders can apply to renew their IRP up to 12 weeks prior to its expiry date. Applicants are strongly advised to apply in a timely manner to allow enough time to process your application prior to the current expiry date.
•    Stamp 2 applicants (students) must wait until their course starts before they can apply to renew.
•    All permissions to remain will be renewed from the current expiry date; there is no disadvantage or time lost in renewing prior to expiry.
•    IRP holders must currently be present in Ireland to be eligible to renew their permission to remain online. Applications submitted from outside Ireland will not be accepted.
•    Further information on renewing the IRP card and the current date of applications being processed can be found here: Renewing your registration permission
•    Those who have urgent, emergency, or extenuating circumstances that necessitate immediate travel should contact the Registration Office

June 2025 - Further immigration concessions

On 23 June 2025, the Population and Immigration Authority announced that, due to the security situation and the closure of airspace, the validity of re-entry visas for foreign workers who left Israel to visit home has been extended.

Workers who left Israel with a re-entry visa that expired or will expire between 12 June 2025 and 3 July 2025 will be able to return to Israel until 3 July 2025 - without the need to issue a new visa or contact the Authority.

The extension of validity is carried out automatically in the computerized systems of the Population and Immigration Authority, and the extended permits will appear at border checkpoints.

Three-month visa extension for foreign nationals staying in Israel

On 17 June 2025, the Population and Immigration Authority announced that visas held by foreign nationals staying legally in Israel, which were valid on 12 June 2025, have been automatically extended until 30 September 2025, “due to recent events”.

 This visa extension applies to holders of the following visa types:

• B/1 – General Work Visa
• B/2 – Tourist Visa
• B/4 – Volunteer Visa
• A/1 – Temporary Resident Visa
• A/2 – Student Visa (excluding agricultural trainees)
• A/3 – Clergy Visa
• A/4 – Companion Visa
• A/5 –Temporary Resident Visa
• DCL permit- for family reunifications and humanitarian.

Note that visa holders are not required to visit immigration authority offices to obtain the extension, which is applied automatically.

June 2024 - Ukrainian nationals now require biometric passport

Effective 5 June 2024, temporary measures which allowed Ukrainian nationals to travel to Ireland without a biometric passport will cease to be in effect. All third country nationals, now also including Ukrainians, travelling to Ireland must have a valid biometric passport.

Ukrainian nationals remain non-visa required when travelling to Ireland, and the change does not affect temporary protection status.

As part of an emergency response to the full-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia in 2022, Ireland temporarily suspended the requirement for a biometric passport from Ukrainian nationals who wished to enter the State. This suspension was aligned with practice in other EU Member States and in accordance with guidelines from the EU Commission.

While the suspension was activated, Ukrainian nationals seeking to enter the State could rely upon alternative documentation as proof of their nationality including expired biometric passports or internal passports

5/31/24

New electronic travel authorisation system from August 2024

The Ministry of Interior has announced that, effective August 2024, all travellers to Israel from visa-exempt countries must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA-IL) to enter the country.

From 1 June 2024, the system will open as a pilot program for nationals of the United States and Germany. During the pilot phase, submitting an application will be voluntary and exempt from fees. The system will open to other nationalities on 1 July 2024.

Those who are eligible will be able to travel to Israel and stay for up to 90 days at a time, for tourism, business and other non-work and non-medical purposes. An ETA-IL is valid for two years or until the expiry of the holder’s passport, and allows for multiple entries. For longer stays and other purposes, travellers must obtain a visa from their nearest Israeli Embassy or Consulate.

Applicants must be a citizen of a visa-exempt country, with a passport valid at least until the end of the visit to Israel.

Applications must be submitted online and an NIS 25 fee must be paid (this will not apply during the pilot period). Processing may take up to 72 hours. Decisions will be sent by email.

11/17/23

Special measures for foreign workers

• In view of the security situation and in order to assist the operation of hotels, the Population and Immigration Authority has extended, until 31 January 2024, permission for foreign workers in the hotel industry to work in hotels in the same chain or owned by the same owners, throughout the country.
• The government has authorized the Population and Immigration Authority to admit up to 10,000 construction foreign workers into Israel. Licensed Human Resources companies for foreign employees in the construction sector, will now have the authorization to recruit these foreign workers even in the absence of bilateral agreements with the workers’ countries of origin. This framework will remain effective for a period of 90 days.
• In addition, government officials have decided to extend, until 31 December 2023, the application submission deadline for companies seeking authorization as Human Resource Organizations to employ foreign workers in the construction industry.

11/10/23

Visa extensions for hotel workers

On 7 November 2023, the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) announced an automatic three-month extension of the visas and work permits of all foreign nationals in the hotel sector who are in Israel and whose work permit has expired or will expire before 31 December 2023. The extended visas and work permits are now valid until 31 March 2024.

At the end of this period, and if no further notice of extension is published, these permit holders must file applications to the Foreign Worker Administration of PIBA to extend their visas and employment permits, according to the usual procedures.

11/3/23

Measures during the security crisis

On 29 October 2023, the Population and Immigration Authority (PIBA) announced that all non-work visas due to expire within the next three months are extended until 8 February 2024. After this period, if there is no further notice, visa extension must be carried out as per the usual procedures.

The work visa extension process at the Interior Ministry for expiring B-1 expert work visas is currently not operating as usual. Instead, the Ministry is acknowledging the submission of extension applications and automatically extending the visas for one month at a time.

On 30 October 2023, PIBA announced a three-month extension of the work permits of all foreign nationals in the domestic nursing and agriculture sectors who are in Israel and whose work permit has expired or will expire between the dates 7 October 2023 and 7 January 2024.

On 1 November 2023, the government announced a further series of measures to recruit foreign national workers in the agriculture sector, which is currently experiencing a manpower crisis. These include allowing the immediate entry of 5000 foreign nationals to work in the sector, including foreign nationals who previously stayed in Israel in recognized agricultural training programs, who will be recruited by licensed private agricultural bureaus, not within the framework of bilateral agreements. Ministers also announced the implementation of existing bilateral agreements and the extension of a fast-track process to more countries of origin.

Approximately 7800 foreign agricultural workers have left Israel, out of approximately 30,000 foreign agricultural workers who worked in Israel before the fighting began. In addition, during this period it was decided not to allow the entry into Israel approximately 20,000 Palestinian workers in the agricultural sector.

10/13/23

Security response

The Israeli government has implemented certain measures in response to the ongoing security situation.

The Population and Immigration Authority has extended work visas for all foreign nationals who are in Israel with a valid visa whose validity will expire within the next month. The visas were extended until 9 November 23.

Most Population and Immigration Authority units are closed and will not receive public, including the Population Administration offices and the Foreign Workers Administration. Employers should expect heavy delays in visa processing.

The Population and Immigration Authority has issued a letter to foreign workers in the country and has increased the response hours of the PIBA Call Centre for foreign worker questions and complaints in various languages at the following number; 1700707889.

In addition, several consulates have suspended visa services and several airlines have cancelled all or some flights into or out of Israel’s airports.

Some governments have arranged repatriation flights for their citizens who are in Israel. These include Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Cyprus, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Mexico, Norway, Poland, Portugal, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand, The Netherlands, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States.

May 2026 - Further allocation of quotas for seasonal dependent work in the agricultural and tourism sectors

On 6 May 2026, the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies announced the assignment of additional quotas for seasonal dependent work for the requests submitted by the most representative Employers' Organizations at the national level: 5,389 quotas for the agricultural sector and 3,476 quotas for the tourism sector.

The Decree of 2 October 2025 "Programming of legal entry flows into Italy of foreign workers for the three-year period 2026-2028" allocated 88,000 quotas for subordinate seasonal work in agriculture, hospitality and tourism, reserved for certain nationalities.

April 2026 - Italy-Japan bilateral working holiday work agreement comes into force

The working holiday agreement with Japan, ratified by Law no. 136, of 17 September 2025, came into force on 1 April 2026.

The agreement allows young Italian and Japanese citizens, aged between 18 and 30 to stay in the other country for up to a year and to carry out professional activity without a work permit, for a period not exceeding six months.

To be eligible, applicants must not have previously benefited from the agreement, must not have a criminal record and must have health insurance as well as adequate resources to support themselves in the host country.

February 2026 - Proposed changes to family reunification rules

On 11 February 2026, the government approved a bill that includes provisions on international protection, the implementation of the European Union Pact on Migration and Asylum of 14 May 2024, and changes to the family reunification rules.

The draft law aims to strengthen the tools to combat illegal immigration and ensure a more rigorous migration management. 

The main objectives of the law are as follows:
•    Combating illegal immigration;
•    Stricter requirements for family reunification;
•    Amendments to the law on the reception of those seeking international protection and on penalties for non-compliance;
•    Implementation of EU directives and regulations.
The bill must be passed by both houses of the Italian parliament before it becomes law. 

January 2026 - New citizenship rules for minors born abroad

Italian consulates have announced that the Budget Law for 2026 amends the rules for acquiring citizenship for minor children born abroad to Italian citizens by descent.

In particular, the amendments provide that the declarations made by parents - at least one of whom is an Italian citizen by birth - of minor children born abroad who do not automatically acquire Italian citizenship, may be submitted within three years (instead of within one year) from the birth of the minor (or from the later date on which filiation, including adoptive filiation, to an Italian citizen is established).

At the same time, such declarations can now be made free of charge – the previous EUR 250 fee has been cancelled.

These amendments entered into force on 1 January 2026. For this reason, the waiver of fees will apply only to applications submitted from that date onward, and no refund is provided for applications already submitted.

December - Babysitters now eligible for entry outside quotas

On 1 December 2025, with the publication of Law No. 179/2025, the parliament converted Decree-Law No. 146 of 3 October 2025. 
Decree-Law 146 introduced significant reforms and updates to Italy’s immigration framework, particularly regarding employment-based entry through the quota system, commonly known as the decreto-flussi.
As with all decree-laws, the Italian parliament had 60 days to approve and convert the measure, during which it introduced the following key amendments:
•    The trial measure which permits entries outside the quotas of the flow decree (up to 10,000 per year) for foreign workers to be employed in the assistance of people over the age of eighty or disabled, which has been extended for the three-year period 2026-2028, has also been expanded to include those employed to take care of children from birth to six years old. It is to be noted that the work permit application in this cases has to go through authorised employment agencies or employers’ associations.

•    The employer is now required to confirm the request for work clearance at the one-stop shop for immigration within fifteen days (previously seven days) of the communication of the conclusion of the usual investigations on the entry visa application submitted by the worker.
•    The employer and the foreign worker must now sign the residence contract within fifteen days (previously eight days) from the date of entry of the foreign worker.

October 2026-28 quota decree passes into law

The Decree of the President of the Council of Ministers of 2 October 2025 "Programming of legal entry flows into Italy of foreign workers for the three-year period 2026-2028" was published in the Official Gazette on 15 October 2023.

The decree defines the criteria for determining the entry flows for work reasons, within and outside the quotas, sets the quotas for the three-year period and gives provisions on the procedures.

A total of 497,550 third-country nationals will be admitted to Italy, for reasons of seasonal and non-seasonal employment and self-employment, divided as follows:

• 164,850foreign nationals for the year 2026;
• 165,850foreign nationals for the year 2027;
• 166,850foreign nationals for the year 2028.

 

The decree distributes these quotas between production sectors and contractual categories, also indicating the calendar of applications from employers.

For the 2026 quotas, applications can be sent through the ALI Portal of the Ministry of the Interior on the flowing “click days”:

• 12 January 2026 for seasonal workers in the agricultural sector;
• 9 February 2026 for seasonal workers in the tourism sector;
• 16 February 2026 for non-seasonal employees who are nationals of countries that have agreements on cooperation on migration with Italy, or will sign them during the period of validity of the decree;
• 18 February 2026 for other non-seasonal employees.

The submission of the request for work clearance for entries within the quotas is preceded by the pre-completion phase of the application forms, which will take place in the time period defined by the Joint Circular No. 8047 of 16 October 2025, which provides further implementing provisions of the decree.

From 23 October 2025 until 7 December 2025, the pre-completion period for applications for work authorization (nulla osta) under the 2026 Decreto Flussi will be open. During this period, employers, employers’ associations, and authorized professionals intending to submit applications on the click days will be able to pre-complete the forms through the ALI Services Portal of the Ministry of the Interior, using SPID digital identity or CIE (Electronic Identity Card).

 

For 2026, the 164,850 quotas are allocated between the following categories:

• 88,000 quotas for Subordinate Seasonal Work in the sector of agriculture; hospitality and tourism industry reserved to certain nationalities;
• 76,200 for non-seasonal subordinate work – work as an employee;
• In the sectors of freight transportation on behalf of third parties, building, hospitality and tourism, mechanics, telecommunications, food, shipbuilding, transportation of passengers by bus, fishing, hairdressing, electricians, plumbers:
  • 25,000 for the following nationalities. Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia Herzegovina, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Jordan, Japan, Guatemala, India, Jordan, Japan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Niger, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Senegal, Serbia, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan;
  • 18,000 for citizens of countries with which Italy has cooperation agreements on migration matters.

• 300 quotas reserved to stateless persons and refugees;
• 13,600 quotas for workers in the family care and support services;
• 19,300 non-reserved quotas;
• 650 quotas for self-employment;
• 10 quotas Reserved to foreign nationals who have Italian ancestry and reside in Venezuela;
• 40 quotas Reserved to foreign nationals who have Italian ancestry and reside in Countries identified by the decree of the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation referred to in Article 27, paragraph 1-octies, of the Consolidated Law on Immigration;
• 20 quotas stateless persons and refugees;
• 500 quotas reserved for:

• entrepreneurs intending to implement an investment plan of interest for the Italian economy, involving an investment of at least EUR 500.000 and creating at least three new jobs in Italy;
• freelancers/independent contractors who intend to practise:
  • regulated or controlled professions (i.e. individuals belonging to a professional association or enrolled with an official/public register); OR
  • professions that are not non-regulated but are considered representative at national level and included in the lists edited by the Public Administration;
• holders of corporate offices or administrative/controlling positions in an Italian company, operating for at least three years;
• foreign nationals who intend to set up innovative start-up companies, under certain conditions and who will have a self-employment relationship with the start-up;

• internationally well-known artists, artists of the highest repute, artists of recognised high professional qualification or artists who are hired by well-known Italian theatres, important public institutions, public television or well-known national private televisions companies;

80 non-reserved quotas. 

October 2025 - New law amends immigration rules

On 3 October 2025, Decree-Law 146/2025 was published in the Official Gazette.

As with all decree-laws, the Italian parliament has 60 days to approve and convert the measure, during which it may introduce amendments.

The decree introduces significant reforms and updates to Italy’s immigration framework, particularly regarding employment-based entry through the quota system, commonly known as the decreto-flussi. The changes include the following:

• The implementation of pre-completed online work permit applications, which allows checks to be carried out before the click day, and the introduction of a limit of three applications per employer submitting privately, rather than through authorized intermediaries.
• The explicit provision that it is possibleto regularly employ the foreign citizen even pending the conversion of the residence permit, as well as while waiting for the first issue or renewal of the document.
• The extension for the three-year period 2026-2028 of thetrial which permits entries outside the quotas of the flow decree (up to 10,000 per year) for foreign workers to be employed in the assistance of people over the age of eighty or disabled.
• The issuance of theclearance for family reunification within 150 days of the request (instead of 90 days as previously provided).

October 2025 - Working holiday visa takes effect

Italy has ratified the Working Holiday Visa agreement it signed with Japan in May 2022. The deal took effect with the publication of Law No. 136 in the Official Gazette on 27 September 2025.

The Working Holiday Visa allows Japanese citizens between 18 and 30 years old to stay in the Italy for one year and to engage in employment, with one or multiple employers, for up to six months in total, without obtaining a work permit.

July 2025 - Government approves immigration quota decree for 2026-2028

On 30 June 2025, the government approved a proposed quota decree (“decreto flussi”) establishing a three-year immigration plan with a quota of 497,550 non-EU nationals permitted to enter for work between 2026 and 2028.

The previous quota decree allowed 452,000 entries in the years 2023-2025.

The quota will be divided between 230,550 for non-seasonal and self-employment and 267,000 for seasonal work in the agricultural and tourism sectors.

A total of 164,850 entries for non-EU workers are permitted for 2026.

The final decree is expected to be published later in the year.

Application pre-filling period for seasonal tourism

The Ministry of Labour and Social Policies has announced that the next period for the pre-filling of online applications for seasonal tourism jobs as part of the 2025 quota runs from 1 to 31 July 2025.

Aspiring employers of foreign nationals in this sector can pre-fill applications every day in July, from 8.00 a.m. to 8.00 p.m., on the ALI Services Portal of the Ministry of the Interior, where the procedure to follow is detailed. The questions can be saved and can then be sent starting from 9.00 am on the click day scheduled for 1 October 2025.

May 2025 - New rules and work visa for descendants of Italian citizens

On 23 May 2025, the Official Gazette published Law No. 74, which introduces major changes to the rules for citizenship by descent, and a new quota-exempt work visa category.

• Applications for citizenship by descent submitted after 27 March 2025 (unless the application appointment was scheduled by the competent authorities before 27 March 2025) will only be successful if the applicant has or had a parent or grandparent with exclusively Italian citizenship; or a parent or adoptive parent resident in Italy for at least two years after acquiring Italian citizenship and before the applicant’s date of birth or adoption.
• Further rule changes apply to the minor children of Italian citizens.
• A new category of quota-exempt work visa is introduced to article 27 of the Italian immigration law, for foreign nationals living outside Italy who are
  • descended from Italian citizens (no generational limit is stated); and
  • citizens of a country with significant migration from Italy (the list of these countries will be decided by a joint ministerial decree).

Existing quota-exempt work visa categories under article 27 include those for digital nomads, nurses, researchers, translators, journalists, highly-skilled professionals, intra-company transferees.

May 2026 - Overhaul of migration rules aims to attract investment and talent

Kazakhstan is preparing to introduce new measures to attract highly qualified foreign specialists as part of a broader effort to increase the country’s openness to talent, investors, and entrepreneurs.

The Ministry of Labour and Social Protection has drafted amendments to the country’s migration legislation following a presidential decree aimed at modernizing migration policy and addressing labour shortages.

Kazakhstan will streamline and modernise visa categories by introducing clearer pathways for investors and professionals.

Kazakhstan is also significantly expanding digital infrastructure through:

• Creation of the QazETA unified digital platform for foreign nationals;
• Introduction of an e-Residency module allowing remote applications;
• A “one-stop-shop” system for immigration processing;
• Reduced bureaucracy and faster onboarding for foreign residents;
• Introduction of a digital resident ID for accessing public and financial services.

The proposed legislation introduces a targeted recruitment system for in-demand foreign specialists based on the current needs of the domestic labour market.

A key element of the reform is the creation of a government-approved list of priority professions. The list is expected to include specialists in information technology, healthcare, education, and culture, sectors currently experiencing some of the most acute labour shortages.

The Labour Ministry is also working to significantly expand the list of in-demand professions from 51 to 174 specialisms. The expanded list would include occupations in the nuclear industry, energy, biotechnology, genomic medicine, water management, irrigation, and healthcare.

Authorities are placing particular emphasis on improving conditions for foreign specialists working and living in Kazakhstan, including through an expansion of the Altyn (Golden) Visa programme.

Under this expanded scheme, foreign specialists would be eligible to apply for resident status after a specified period of employment in Kazakhstan. The status would provide access to tax incentives, financial services, healthcare and education opportunities, as well as the right to work outside the country’s foreign labour quota system.

The new e-Residency Invest programme will allow digital residents to:

• Invest remotely in projects across Kazakhstan;
• Access opportunities through the Astana International Financial Centre;
• Conduct investments through partner financial institutions.

To improve quality of life for international residents, Astana and Almaty will introduce zones with mandatory English-language services. This will include medical institutions, schools, public service centres, police services, utilities and municipal services.

 

Changes will also affect the Astana International Financial Centre. The minimum stay required to obtain tax residency will be reduced from 90 to 30 days

Kazakhstan has approved its 2026 quota for foreign labour at 0.25% of the country’s total workforce.

The quota includes permits for 726 senior executives and deputies, 3402 heads of structural divisions, 5893 specialists, and 3131 skilled workers. An additional 4994 permits were allocated for seasonal labour.