Immigration news updates for APAC and EMEA regions
Asia-Pacific
Australia: Update on CSOL and NIV
As previously announced, the government has implemented a new type of visa, the National Innovation visa (NIV) (Subclass 858)Â which replaces business migration schemes and the Global Talent visa. There has been an additional update, which affects the English language requirements, the visa validity, the increased costs related to the visa fee and eligibility to the subclass 186 permanent residence.
Core Skilled Occupation List (CSOL) National Innovation Visa (NIV)
The new CSOL fulfils the Government’s commitment to replace complex, out of date and inflexible occupation lists in our temporary skilled visa program. The CSOL is a single consolidated list, informed by labour market analysis and stakeholder consultations by Jobs and Skills Australia (JSA) that provides access to temporary skilled migration for 456 occupations.
The CSOL will apply to the Core Skills stream of the new Skills in Demand visa and also apply to the Direct Entry stream of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme (subclass 186) visa.
Skilled Occupation List
70 new occupations were added to the list including occupations in health, childcare, education, construction and cybersecurity. Some occupations were removed such as Restaurant Manager, Financial Dealers and Brokers, Specialist Managers and Graphic Designers.
Skills in Demand Visa (SID Visa)
On December 7, 2024, the Australian Department of Home Affairs introduced the new Skills in Demand Visa (SID Visa) Subclass 482, which will replace the current Temporary Skill Shortage (TSS) Visa. The visa is designed to address Australia’s labour market needs across a broad range of industries and sectors. The aim is to provide more flexibility to skilled workers and employers. All pathways of the Skills in Demand (SID) visa have a clear route to permanent residency in Australia via the Employer Nomination Scheme (ENS) (subclass 186) visa.
It will consist of 3 streams:
Specialist Skills Stream
It targets highly specialised skills in any occupation except trades, machinery operation, driving, and labour. It features no occupation list. Minimum salary requirement is AUD 135,000 per year.
Core Skills Stream
Only occupations on this list will be able to access this stream.
Minimum salary requirement is likely to be same or more than Temporary Skilled Migrant Threshold (TSMIT) of AUD 73,500.
Labour Agreement Stream
This is the same as the existing labour agreement stream for the subclass 482 visa.
Companies or existing industries will have to negotiate and enter into an agreement with the Department of Home Affairs to sponsor workers in specific occupations. The salary, experience and English requirements can vary across agreements.
Simplified English language results
English language results must now be at a level of 5 or higher on each component and an overall score of 5. English test results must be achieved in a single setting. Results must not be older than three years at time of application.
Visa validity and Fees
All 482 visas (regardless of stream) can now be applied for up to a maximum of four years. Hong Kong Passport holders may stay up to five years. Different government fees depending on the occupations is no longer relevant and all fees are now aligned regardless of occupation.
Changes to Permanent Residence Visa Subclass 186
Time spent with ANY sponsoring employer now counts toward the permanent residency requirement under the Temporary Residence Transition Streat (TRT). This is a significant change to the requirements before December 7, where the candidate had to work with the sponsoring employer for two years on a 482 visa. Candidates wishing to apply for 186 (Direct Entry) are limited to occupations on the Core Skills Occupation List (CSOL) .482 visa holders under the TSS regime and currently sponsored in occupations removed from the CSOL will still be able to apply for the 186 TRT visa. The Core Skills Income Threshold (CSIT) will apply to all 186 applications lodged from December 7. The threshold is currently AUD 73,150.
All TSS nominations and visa applications lodged prior to the implementation of the SID visa will be processed using the requirements in force at the time the application was lodged. If a TSS nomination has been lodged but the associated TSS visa application was not lodged before December 7, 2024, the nomination approval is deemed to be a SID nomination and the associated visa application will be for a SID visa.
This summary was prepared using information from Department of Home Affairs and Department of Home Affairs
China: Work Permit & Social Security Management System integration
As of December 1, 2024, China has introduced a significant update to its work permit policy for foreign nationals. Here are the key changes:
- Integration with Social Security Cards: The work permit information for foreign nationals is now integrated into the social security card. This means that physical work permits are no longer issued.
- Digital Process: All applications, renewals, modifications, and cancellations of work permits are now processed online. This streamlines the process and eliminates the need for physical documents.
- Enhanced Services: The integrated social security card can be used for multiple functions, including identity verification, medical expense settlement, and accessing various public services.
- Transition Period: Existing physical work permits will remain valid until they need to be renewed or modified, at which point they will be transitioned to the new digital system.
This summary was prepared using information from Shanghai Government and China Briefing
Philippines: Update for holders of ACR-I cards
Within the first sixty (60) days of every calendar year, all registered aliens holding, or in the process of obtaining, Alien Certificate of Registration (ACR) I-Cards shall report in person to any BI-designated offices as part of the yearly Annual Reporting (AR).
Personal appearance is required for all the registered aliens. No representative shall be allowed during the process unless they are covered by the exemption indicated below.
Additionally, the Virtual Annual Report shall be available to all registered aliens (except paper-based ACR holders) present in the Philippines during the AR period. They will have to register through BI’s e-services and choose their preferred date and time of appointment for the online interview to be conducted via Google Meet and pay the assessed fees from the issuance of the Order of Payment Slip (OPS) through accepted payment channels.
Requirements:
- Completely filled-out online registration from https://e-services.immigration.gov.ph for the issuance of reference number.
- Original valid ACR I-card. For those with pending ACR I-card applications may present their claim stub with official receipt.
- Original valid passport. For those with expired passport must submit an affidavit of undertaking to secure passport.
- Official receipt covering the latest payment of Annual Report.
Exempted from Personal Appearance: May file through a representative with a Proof of Exemption, and Special Power of Attorney (SPA):
- Those below 14 years old;
- Those 60 years old and above;
- Those mentally or physically incapacitated, provided a PWD ID is presented; and
- Pregnant women and foreigners with medical condition, provided a medical certificate issued by the attending physician or hospital where such alien is confined is presented.
Mandatory Annual Report Prior to Issuance of Emigration Clearance Certificate-B (ECC-B):
All departing foreign nationals are required to pay their Annual Report fees prior to the issuance of Emigration Clearance Certificate-B (ECC-B).
Consequences for Non-Compliance:
Failure to comply for the Annual Report shall subject the concerned foreign national at the option of the Commissioner of Immigration to an administrative fine or to prosecution and upon conviction to be punished by a fine or imprisonment, or pursuant to Section 10 Paragraph 2 of the Alien Registration Act of 1950, as amended by Section 2, Republic Act 578 and Section 5, Republic Act 751.
This summary was prepared using information from our local office.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Debra Jane Beynon (Regional Manager, APAC) and Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
The Netherlands: Salary thresholds 2025
Starting in 2025, new salary thresholds will be introduced, affecting various sectors and employment categories:
- Highly Skilled Migrants (HSM) aged 30 or over: Employees at the time of their initial or extension application, or at the start date with a new sponsor, must meet a monthly salary of €5,688, excluding an 8% holiday allowance (up from €5,331 in 2024).
- Highly Skilled Migrants (HSM) aged 29 or under: Employees at the time of their initial application or at the start date with a new sponsor must meet a monthly salary of €4,171, excluding an 8% holiday allowance (up from €3,909 in 2024).
Note: Employees aged 29 or under at the time of their initial application will continue to be subject to this amount after turning 30 if they remain with the same employer.
- Highly Educated Graduates: those eligible for a search year under the Highly Educated Programme, having graduated from Dutch universities or schools of applied sciences within the last 3 years, or holding a Master’s or Ph.D. from a listed foreign university within the last 3 years, must meet a monthly salary of €2,989, excluding an 8% holiday allowance (up from €2,801 in 2024).
Note: Highly educated individuals will remain in this category regardless of age or employer changes, provided there is no residence gap.
The salary must not only meet the threshold but also align with the Dutch market level, considering the employee’s age, education, and professional qualifications. If there is any uncertainty about whether the salary is at market level, the Labour Directorate (UWV) will review it using its data, collective bargaining agreements and market data. If the UWV determines that the salary is not at market level, the application will be refused.
This summary was prepared using information from our local service provider.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Veronika Vitkova (Team Leader, EMEA) and Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
South Africa: DHA introduces temporary visa processing measures
The Department of Home Affairs (DHA) has issued a directive to address the backlog in processing Waiver, Visa, and Appeal applications:
Pending Waiver Applications:
- Visa holders with pending waiver applications as of November 30, 2024, are granted a temporary extension until March 31, 2025.
- Applicants can collect their outcomes and submit applications for appropriate visas during this period.
- Those wishing to abandon their waiver applications can exit South Africa by March 31, 2025, without being declared undesirable.
Pending Visa Applications:
- Visa holders with pending visa applications as of November 30, 2024, are granted a temporary extension until March 31, 2025.
- Applicants can exit South Africa by March 31, 2025, without being declared undesirable.
- Visa-exempt applicants can travel and re-enter South Africa using their VFS receipts.
- Non-visa exempt applicants must apply for a Visitor’s Visa to re-enter and await their visa outcomes.
Pending Visa Appeal Applications:
- Visa holders with pending appeal applications for long-term visas are granted a temporary extension until March 31, 2025.
- Applicants can exit South Africa by March 31, 2025, without being declared undesirable.
- All appeal applicants must present a copy of the rejection letter and appeal receipt upon departure and re-entry.
- Non-visa exempt appeal applicants must apply for a Visitor’s Visa to re-enter and await their appeal outcomes.
These measures apply only to legally admitted foreigners who have submitted applications via VFS Global and can produce a verifiable receipt.
This summary was prepared using information from our local office.
Disclaimer: The above information is provided for general information purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. If you have any further inquiries regarding the applicability of this information, please contact Sabrina Crespo (Team Leader, EMEA) and Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration).
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