Read the full issue here
Welcome to Issue #2 of our Immigration Insights quarterly update. This edition brings you a curated roundup of key immigration legislation and policy changes globally, along with our perspectives on their potential impact on global mobility programs. Stay informed with the latest in immigration—global trends, regional updates, and country-specific insights—all in one place.
Q4 2024 highlights:
Global trends:
- Government efforts to modernize and digitize immigration processes gained traction across multiple jurisdictions, with businesses largely welcoming these changes
- Intensified scrutiny and enforcement with measures like stricter inspections, higher penalties, workforce localization, and heightened border controls, impacting global business travel
Africa:
- New policies to modernize immigration, tackle processing backlogs, and introduce new visa categories like Digital Nomad Visa
- Recent elections in Botswana, Ghana, and Mauritania may influence mobility policies, though potential impacts remain uncertain
Asia-Pacific:
- Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia are introducing new schemes to recruit skilled workers in technology, healthcare, and engineering
- Japan and China are streamlining immigration processes with digital integrations for efficiency and compliance
- Sector-specific reforms in New Zealand and Australia to address labor shortages with targeted visa pathways for agriculture and construction
- Stricter compliance in Vietnam and China to tighten business visa rules and enhance foreign worker monitoring
Europe:
- Poland and Ireland streamlined immigration processes, while salary thresholds rose across Europe, and the EU expanded the Blue Card scheme
- The UK added ETA requirements for more countries, while the EU delayed its Entry/Exit System and approved full Schengen membership for Bulgaria and Romania starting January 2025
- Elections in Austria, Germany, and other countries may bring stricter immigration regulations, with key impacts yet to unfold
- Serbian nationals with certain passports are now exempt from Schengen visa requirements, boosting regional travel and mobility
LATAM:
- Many Latin American countries are streamlining immigration processes through digital tools, improving efficiency while also requiring businesses to adapt to new online platforms
- Bolivia and Honduras announced a visa waiver agreement to simplify travel and enhance regional mobility
- Brazil is tightening border measures, reflecting a regional trend toward stricter migration monitoring
- Mexico’s new head of the Immigration Institute (INM) is expected to drive improvements in immigration procedures
Middle East:
- Rising nationalization policies, with Qatar and Turkey introducing sector-specific initiatives to increase local workforce participation
- Stronger worker protections, such as Saudi’s wage insurance scheme and stricter labor law enforcement in the UAE
- Increasing digitization, with Qatar and Saudi streamlining immigration processes through electronic platforms
- Geopolitical instability is driving new travel advisories and visa procedures
United States:
- The new administration may bring travel bans, H-1B visa restrictions, and processing delays at U.S. consulates
- New rules aim to streamline the H-1B visa system, improving flexibility, processing speed, and compliance oversight
- The expiration of expedited processing for L-2 and H-4 dependents will lead to longer wait times for work permits
- Special relief for Lebanon’s F-1 students with the opportunity to apply for work authorization and adjust study loads due to the ongoing crisis
Click here to read the full issue.
To learn more, please contact:
Sharan Kundi
Partner, Global Immigration Lead
sharan.kundi@vialto.com
Melissa Rowsell-Messchaert
Director
melissa.rowsell-messchaert@vialto.com
Hugo Vijge
Director, Global Immigration Advisory Lead
hugo.vijge@vialto.com
Rekha Simpson
Director
rekha.simpson@vialto.com