Global trends

Digital systems gain ground

A shift toward digital processing is accelerating:

  • In Germany, Ireland, and the UK, digital portals and eVisa systems are streamlining skilled migration and compliance.
  • The U.S. launched a digital H-1B petition system and now mandates electronic immigration payments; Canada is following with a new employer-led portal.
  • In Taiwan, Philippines, and Thailand, digital nomad and ePre-arrival systems are supporting remote work and tourism.
  • Liberia, Nigeria, and the UAE introduced border digitization tools, with the UAE also automating social security registration.

Tightened compliance and employer controls

Governments are raising expectations on employers:

  • In Belgium, France, Poland, and Finland, reporting duties, permit scrutiny, and advertising requirements have increased.
  • The Philippines now requires training plans and regular reports for foreign worker permits. Malaysia will suspend non-compliant companies from July.
  • Nigeria and South Africa introduced quotas and localization rules.
  • The U.S. added social media screenings and increased documentation obligations for employers and applicants.

Reduced access to long-term or family pathways

Several countries are restricting settlement:

  • Argentina, Portugal, and Germany are tightening eligibility for residence, citizenship, and legal appeals.
  • The UK and Belgium are restricting dependent and care worker routes.
  • The U.S. reinstated travel bans for 12 countries, cancelled some student visas, and paused visa interviews in May. Canada’s BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP) suspended foreign worker draws.

Selective mobility expansion

Despite restrictions, some targeted relaxations are emerging:

  • China extended visa-free travel to Latin American and Gulf countries; Brazil signed a reciprocal deal.
  • Hungary now includes cross-border workers from Serbia and Ukraine.
  • Kenya expanded Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) exemptions to over 60 countries.
  • Philippines granted short-stay visa waivers to Indians from June 2025.

Salary thresholds and workforce controls

Labour policy is evolving to balance domestic employment and skills gaps:

  • Luxembourg, Austria, Denmark, and the UK raised salary thresholds. Sweden lowered Blue Card criteria for flexibility.
  • In the Gulf, Saudi Arabia introduced strict Saudisation quotas. The UAE enforced 7% Emiratisation for companies with 50+ staff.

Security-driven border controls

Visa and entry rules remain tied to geopolitical concerns:

  • India suspended visas for Pakistani nationals; Saudi Arabia resumed post-Hajj visas with tighter controls.
  • Tanzania and Kenya liberalized access. DRC reversed visa-free travel for Zimbabweans.

Courts reshape U.S. immigration policy

In the U.S., legal decisions continue to influence direction:

  • The Supreme Court upheld Temporary Protected Status (TPS) terminations and reined in lower courts’ ability to block executive immigration orders.
  • A federal ruling preserved birthright citizenship for some U.S.-born children.

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