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Japanese authorities are raising key immigration application fees as well as extending the stay duration for the startup visa under the designated activities category. Key Points: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a proposal to revise various immigration fees. Travelers from
Taiwanese authorities launched a new visa program for digital nomads, allowing eligible foreign nationals the ability to live and work remotely in Taiwan for up to six months. Key Points: Only nationals from visa-exempt countries are eligible for the digital nomad visitor visa.
The Organic Act 1/2025 has been published in Spain’s Official State Gazette, confirming the termination of the golden visa program, effective April 3. Key Points: The legislation introduces amendments to Articles 63 through 67 of the Entrepreneur’s Act 14/2013, which provides
Effective Jan. 8, all eligible non-European travelers transiting or traveling to the United Kingdom for tourism, family visits, business meetings, conferences or short-term study for six months or less will require an electronic travel authorization (ETA) prior to travel. Key Points: The government is introducing an ETA for millions of visitors
The Canadian government announced it will not accept new applications under the Parents and Grandparents Program in 2025. Key Points: The Parents and Grandparents Program allows sponsoring Canadian citizens or permanent residents to bring parents and grandparents to Canada as permanent
As a reminder, the Marom Electronic Travel Authorization — Israel (ETA-IL) is now in effect, and all tourists and business travelers from visa-exempt countries must obtain an ETA-IL form approval before arriving in Israel. Key Points: As BAL reported, the Israeli Ministry
Effective April 1, Israel’s minimum monthly salary will be updated to 6,248 NIS (about US$1,714) gross per month. Key Points: The new minimum monthly salary will apply to foreign nationals employed in short-term employment authorization programs, as well as to 2(a)(5) asylum and protection seekers and general B-1 visa holders. Employers
The Department of Labor (DOL) announced on Dec. 20 additional guidance on the 2024 Farmworker Protection Final Rule. Key Points: The additional guidance is based on court orders issued in Nov. 2024 in response to lawsuits brought by
South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced the validity of the Lesotho Exemption Permits (LEP) has been granted an automatic extension to Nov. 28, 2025. Key Points: As BAL reported, Zimbabwean nationals were also recently granted automatic extensions of their Zimbabwe
South Africa’s Ministry of Home Affairs extended the temporary concession for certain visa and waiver applications to March 31, 2025. Key Points: The Department of Home Affairs issued a directive stating that long-term visa applications, as well as appeal and waiver applications still pending as of Nov.
The government of Turkey announced an increase to the gross minimum wage to TRY 26,005.50 gross per month. Key Points: Effective Jan. 1, a new law entered into force updating the minimum salary levels by position including: High-level managers and pilots: TRY 130,027.50 (about US $3,694) gross per month — five
Netherlands officials have published the 2025 required salary thresholds for applications to work as a highly skilled migrant and for the European Blue Card. Key Points: Effective Jan. 1, 2025, individuals who seek to apply for the following categories must show proof that their monthly income
The application filing window to submit an H-2B Application for Temporary Employment Certification for work start dates of April 1, 2025 or later opens on Jan. 1, 2025 at 12:00 a.m. Eastern Time. Key Points: H-2B applications requesting an April 1, 2025 work start date will
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will publish a revised edition of Form I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker on Jan. 17, 2025. Key Points: Form I-129 has been revised to align with the H-1B modernization final rule and
The Canadian government announced that temporary foreign workers who apply to become permanent residents through the Express Entry system will soon no longer get additional points if they have a job offer supported by a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). Key Points: On Dec. 17, the
The Canadian government announced work and study permits are no longer available to flagpolers at ports of entry. Key Points: As BAL reported in July, the government previously changed their policy for post-graduation work permits at the border in an effort to reduce
Philippine officials announced a policy change for Alien Employment Permit applications in Q1 2025. Key Points: The Department of Labor and Employment National Capital Region (DOLE NCR) announced that in the absence of a valid business/mayor’s permit for 2025, Alien Employment Permits (AEP) applications will be accepted with proof of filing
The South Korean government extended the temporary exemption for visitors from select countries from the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) requirement. Key Points: In March, South Korean authorities announced travelers from 22 countries, including Australia, Canada, Japan, Singapore and many EU countries,
On Dec. 17, 2024, officials from the State Department and Mexican government dedicated the new U.S. Embassy Mexico City. Key Points: The new U.S. Embassy Mexico City is designed to accommodate the operational demands of one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions globally. The facility will
The Office of the Citizenship and Immigration Services Ombudsman (CIS Ombudsman) issued formal recommendations to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for improving family-based petition routing procedures and preventing post-approval delays. Key Points: The CIS Ombudsman serves as a liaison between the public and USCIS. USCIS