Asia-Pacific
Key trends shaping Asia-Pacific's labor and immigration landscape
Modernization and digitization of immigration processes
Governments across APAC are accelerating the adoption of digital systems to centralize immigration workflows, reduce administrative bottlenecks, and increase transparency. In Thailand, the Board of Investment (BOI) launched an enhanced Single Window System on August 1, 2025, requiring all BOI-promoted companies to re-register and complete identity verification to avoid disruptions in visa and work permit processing. Similarly, New Zealand has increasingly digitized visa application and skilled migrant programs, allowing employers and applicants to track status in real time. These initiatives streamline processing, reduce paperwork, and strengthen compliance by providing a centralized platform for authorities and companies alike. The trend reflects a broader commitment across APAC to leverage technology in immigration administration, improving efficiency while making employers more accountable for timely and accurate submissions.
Evolving travel and work documentation requirements
Several APAC countries are introducing targeted updates to residency, work permits, and entry requirements to facilitate mobility for foreign professionals while maintaining oversight. Vietnam now allows Chinese passport holders with valid work permits or exemptions to apply for Temporary Resident Cards, simplifying travel and administrative processes. India’s Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, effective September 1, 2025, modernizes visa regulation, enhances security measures, strengthens accountability, and prescribes stricter penalties for violations. China announced the introduction of a new K-visa for young STEM professionals effective October 1, 2025, aimed at attracting high-skilled talent. These changes demonstrate a regional pattern of refining documentation and mobility frameworks to balance efficient entry with regulatory control, supporting both business continuity and talent attraction.
Policy-driven talent attraction and investment facilitation
APAC governments are increasingly linking immigration policy with economic strategy and talent development. Hong Kong’s September 17, 2025 Policy Address introduced adjustments to the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), the Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), and family-support tax incentives, reinforcing the city’s role as a global hub for investment and high-skilled talent. New Zealand has updated the Skilled Migrant Category and introduced the new Business Investor Visa (BIV) to replace the Entrepreneur Work Visa, while Australia launched the National Innovation Visa program targeting highly talented migrants with exceptional achievements. Collectively, these initiatives illustrate how immigration policies are being used to attract capital, retain skilled workers, and support broader economic and technological growth strategies.
Strengthened compliance and local-hiring measures
Across APAC, authorities are imposing stricter employer obligations, local-hiring ratios, and income thresholds. In Thailand, BOI-promoted companies will need to comply with minimum income requirements for foreign hires and maintain a “Thai to Total Permanent Employees” ratio in the manufacturing sector, effective October 2025 for new projects and January 2026 for existing projects. New Zealand has increased the median wage threshold for the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) scheme, while Singapore updated Employment Pass (EP) C1 salary benchmarks for new applications effective from January 1, 2026 and renewals from July 1, 2026. These measures balance the intake of foreign talent with protection of local workforces and reinforce compliance, requiring employers to carefully monitor hiring practices and payroll policies.
Thailand
Enhanced digital processing and local-hiring requirements
The BOI’s enhanced Single Window System, effective August 1, 2025, requires all BOI-promoted companies to re-register and complete identity verification to ensure uninterrupted visa and work permit processing. In addition, new employment rules establish minimum income thresholds for foreign hires and a “Thai to Total Permanent Employees” ratio in the manufacturing sector, promoting local employment while allowing strategic foreign talent. Companies must review workforce composition and payroll structures to ensure compliance with these new thresholds and ratios.
Vietnam
Streamlined residency and work permit procedures
Vietnam now allows Chinese passport holders with valid work permits or exemptions to apply for Temporary Resident Cards, reducing administrative complexity and facilitating business mobility. Decree 219/2025, effective August 7, 2025, introduces major updates to the work permit regime, enhancing transparency, efficiency, and business-friendliness. While many changes simplify processes, further guidance may be needed to operationalize certain provisions.
India
New immigration act strengthens security and compliance
The Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025, effective September 1, 2025, modernizes visa and foreigner regulation, enhances national security measures, strengthens accountability, and sets stricter penalties for violations. The accompanying rules and regulations outline obligations for employers, emphasizing the need for careful compliance management and proactive monitoring of foreign personnel.
Hong Kong
Policy-driven talent attraction and investment facilitation
The September 17, 2025 Policy Address introduced updates to the Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES), Top Talent Pass Scheme (TTPS), and family-support tax incentives, highlighting a coordinated approach to attracting high-net-worth individuals and top talent. These measures reflect Hong Kong’s strategy to reinforce its role as a global hub while maintaining safeguards for the local workforce.
New Zealand
Revised skilled and investment visa pathways
The Skilled Migrant Category and AEWV scheme have been updated with increased wage thresholds effective August 18, 2025, while the new Business Investor Visa (BIV), opening in November 2025, replaces the Entrepreneur Work Visa. These initiatives aim to attract and retain skilled workers and experienced businesspeople, supporting long-term economic growth and talent retention.
Australia
Compliance, visa updates, and talent pathways
Effective July 1, 2025, income thresholds for the Skills in Demand (subclass 482) visa streams have increased, alongside superannuation contribution adjustments and indexed visa application fees. The National Innovation Visa provides a pathway for highly talented migrants with internationally recognized achievements, supported by state-level nomination criteria in New South Wales, South Australia, and Victoria. In addition, English-language test options have been expanded and standardized to increase accessibility for applicants.
China
Targeted STEM talent initiatives
The new K-visa category, effective October 1, 2025, aims to attract young foreign professionals in STEM fields, supporting innovation and technological development. This initiative demonstrates China’s focus on targeted high-skilled immigration to meet strategic economic priorities.
Singapore
Employment Pass benchmarks and workforce planning
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) has released updated Employment Pass (EP) C1 salary benchmarks for new applications effective from January 1, 2026 and renewals from July 1, 2026, ensuring that foreign talent inflows remain aligned with workforce planning and complement local employment objectives.
Want more information on Asia-Pacific immigration policy and updates?
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Cherie Wright
Partner
Alice Zhong
Senior Associate