Immigration news update for all regions
Americas
Panama: New fees for work permit ID cards for foreign workers
Starting September 19, 2023, the Ministry of Labor and Labor Development of Panama authorized new fees for work permit ID cards for foreign workers. Some of the previous costs have been adjusted due to the new, digitalized system.
In addition to this, in case of theft, robbery, loss or damage, the cost of a new work permit ID is set to $30.00.
| Local workforce | |
| Type of permit | Cost |
| Married with Panamanian (all modalities) | $50.00 |
| 10 years or more of residence in the country | $100.00 |
| Panama-Italy Agreement | $500.00 |
| Percentages established by the labour code | |
| Type of permit | Cost |
| 10% of ordinary staff | $80.00 |
| 15% of technical, specialist or trusted staff | $80.00 |
| Micro or small employer | $80.00 |
| Operations that take effect outside the country | $100.00 |
| Special laws | |
| Type of permit | Cost |
| Free Zone of Colon | $80.00 |
| City of Knowledge (Ciudad del Saber) | $100.00 |
| Panamá Pacific Area | |
| 10% ordinary staff | $80.00 |
| 15% of technical | $80.00 |
| 15% exceed the percentages | $80.00 |
| Companies with less than 10 workers | $80.00 |
| Operations that take effect outside the country | $80.00 |
| Temporary staff of EMMA Company (manufacturing company) | $80.00 |
| Special and investment policies | |
| Type of permit | Cost |
| Friendly Nations by investment | $250.00 |
| Qualified Investor | $250.00 |
| Self-economic solvency | $250.00 |
| Temporary | |
| Type of permit | Cost |
| Temporary technicians | $50.00 |
| Athletes | $50.00 |
| Artists | $50.00 |
This summary was prepared using information obtained from Morgan & Morgan (available in Spanish)
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 Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) or Rafael Pavanelli (Regional Immigration Manager, AMER).
Asia-Pacific
Malaysia: New requirement to report employment termination of foreign workers
In order to comply with the international standards established by the International Labor Organization, an amendment to the Employment act from 1995 was adopted.
A provision that will have direct impact on the employment of foreign workers is article 60KA, Termination of Employment of Foreign Employee.
In section 1 – 60KA(1) – this provision requires the employee to notify the Director of Labour about any employment termination of a foreign worker within 30 days of the termination, if it is a result of one of the following:
- Termination from the side of the employer; or
- Termination due to the expiration of employment pass issued by the Immigration Department of Malaysia to the foreign employee; or
- Termination due to repatriation or deportation of the foreign employee.
Moreover, section 2 – 60KA(2) – states that it is mandatory for employers to inform the Director of Labour within 14 days after the employment termination of a foreign worker or his absence, if it is due to one of the following reasons:
- The termination of employment is from the employee’s side; or
- The employee absconding their place of employment.
In case of violation of this new amendment, employers can be fined up to RM 50,000.
This summary was prepared using information obtained from mohr.gov.my (available in Malaysian language)
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 Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) or Debra Beynon (Regional Immigration Manager, APAC).
Europe, Middle East and Africa
Belgium: Updated salary thresholds for 2024
Belgium has released the yearly gross salary requirements for 2024, concerning the application of Single Permits and Work Permits for 3rd country nationals for its three regions. It is mandatory that all applications filed after December 31, 2023, meet the given new salary thresholds. If not, the renewal of such applications will be denied. Applications that have already been submitted but not approved, will now be judged under the new thresholds condition, before being approved. All employees already holding a Single or Work Permit, or just the approval, will need to meet these new salary minimums starting January 01, 2024. It is crucial for employers to ensure their employees meet the new mandatory rules and inform the relevant authorities. It is important to stress that permit criteria are applied and will be kept during the whole validity of a permit.
| Bruxelles  and Wallonie | Vlaanderen |
| Thresholds for 2024:
Highly-skilled workers: EUR 50.310 (up from EUR 47.175) Executives: EUR 83.936 (up from EUR 78.704) Managers EU ICT Permit: EUR 65.053 (up from EUR 60.998) Specialist EU ICT Permit: EUR 52.042 (up from 48.799) Trainees EU ICT Permit: EUR 32.327 (up from EUR 30.499) EU Blue Card applicants: EUR 65.053 (up from EUR 60.998) |
Thresholds for 2024:
Highly-skilled workers: EUR 46.632 (up from EUR 45.984) For employees not older than 30 years under a Belgian employment contract or nurses: EUR 37.305,60 (up from EUR 36.787,20) Executives: EUR 74.611 (up from EUR 73.574) Managers EU ICT Permit: EUR 74.611 (up from EUR 73.574) Specialist EU ICT Permit: EUR 46.632 (up from 45.984) Trainees EU ICT Permit: EUR 46.632 (up from EUR 45.984) EU Blue Card applicants: EUR 55.958 (up from EUR 55.181) |
This summary was prepared using information obtained from Vlanderen (available in Flemish language)Â and Bruxelles Economie et Emploi (available in French language)
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 Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) and Sabrina Crespo (Team Leader, EMEA).
United Kingdom: Increase of Immigration Health surcharge to come into effect from January 2024
Starting on January 16, 2024, possibly later, the current immigration health surcharge shall be increased from £470 to £776 per year for children, dependants and workers in the field of youth mobility. For all others, the surcharge shall increase from £624 to £1,035 a year. This has been confirmed by the Immigration Health Charge (Amendment) Order 2023, which outlines the increase of the immigration health surcharge. This will come into effect January 16, 2024, or the 21st day from its coming into law, depending on which happens earlier. This amendment must be approved by both Houses of Parliament.
This summary was prepared using information from legislation.gov.uk
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 Roberta Carnaccini (Global Director of Immigration) or Joanna Sogeke (Team Leader, EMEA).
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