Asia-Pacific
Key trends shaping Asia-Pacific's labor and immigration landscape
Rapid acceleration of immigration digitization and automation
Across APAC, governments are increasingly adopting digital and automated immigration systems. India’s e-Arrival Card, Thailand’s mandatory e-Work Permit platform, and Singapore’s digitally managed REP framework illustrate a region-wide shift toward technology-enabled immigration management.
These systems allow authorities to collect information earlier in the travel or employment lifecycle, improve processing efficiency, and reduce reliance on manual documentation. For employers and travelers, this trend places greater importance on advance preparation, data accuracy, and familiarity with online platforms, as immigration processes become more system-driven.
Targeted mobility facilitation aligned with economic priorities
Rather than broad liberalization, APAC governments are increasingly facilitating mobility for specific traveler profiles aligned with economic and strategic priorities. New Zealand’s visa-free trial for certain travelers from Australia, Malaysia’s expanded digital nomad program, and China’s immigration measures supporting high-quality development all demonstrate this selective approach. These initiatives aim to attract tourists, remote workers, and business-linked visitors while retaining structured oversight of immigration flows. The result is greater opportunity for mobility, but within clearly defined policy frameworks.
Increasing clarity and structure in compliance expectations
Alongside facilitation, many jurisdictions are strengthening and clarifying compliance frameworks. Japan’s revised Business Manager criteria, Malaysia’s new overstay and exit procedures, and the Philippines’ formalized Annual Report requirements reflect a move toward clearer rules and defined processes governing immigration status maintenance. These developments reduce ambiguity around compliance obligations but also require employers and individuals to adopt more disciplined tracking of visas, permits, renewals, and departures.
Greater scrutiny of applicant profile and activity alignment
Processing delays at German consulates in China and tighter eligibility standards in visa categories such as Japan’s Business Manager status highlight growing attention to the alignment between an applicant’s background, intended activities, and chosen immigration pathway. This trend underscores the importance of accurate visa selection and well-documented applications, particularly for individuals in sensitive sectors, research environments, or cross-border business roles.
Growing emphasis on individual responsibility for status management
Several developments place increased responsibility on individuals to actively manage their immigration status. Singapore’s revised REP framework introduces clearly defined timelines and consequences, while ongoing obligations such as the Philippines’ Annual Report reinforce expectations of personal accountability. As immigration systems become more digital and rule-based, authorities are providing clearer guidance, but individuals are expected to monitor expiry dates, submit applications on time, and ensure continued eligibility.
Thailand
Full transition to digital work permit administration
On October 9, 2025, Thailand’s Ministry of Labour announced that, effective October 13, 2025, all employers and expatriate employees must use the new “e-Work Permit” platform for work permit registration and applications. The mandatory use of this centralized digital platform marks a significant step in Thailand’s efforts to modernize work authorization processes and strengthen real-time oversight of foreign employment.
India
Digitization of border controls and advance traveler data collection
Effective October 1, 2025, India introduced a mandatory online e-Arrival Card for foreign nationals and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card holders entering the country. The new process replaces the traditional paper disembarkation card and may be completed up to 72 hours prior to arrival via the Indian Visa Online portal or the Indian Visa Su-Swagatam mobile application. This initiative reflects India’s broader shift toward digitized border management, enabling advance data collection and more efficient processing at ports of entry. Indian citizens are exempt from the e-Arrival Card requirement.
New Zealand
Targeted travel facilitation aligned with regional partnerships
From November 3, 2025, travelers entering New Zealand from Australia who hold passports from China or Pacific Islands Forum countries may visit New Zealand without applying for a visitor visa in advance, provided they hold an eligible Australian visa and obtain a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA). This 12-month trial supports regional travel and tourism while reflecting New Zealand’s trade and diplomatic relationships with China and Pacific Island nations.
China
Heightened security review processes affecting visa timelines
German consulates in China are currently experiencing extended visa processing times due to enhanced internal security reviews and additional consultation requirements with domestic authorities in Germany.
The increased scrutiny primarily affects applicants in sensitive academic or professional fields and certain nationality groups, resulting in longer lead times for impacted visa applications.
Immigration policy optimization to support opening-up and economic development
On November 3, 2025, China’s National Immigration Administration issued Announcement No. 4 of 2025, introducing 10 new measures aimed at supporting high-level openness and high-quality development.
The measures include policy adjustments and procedural optimizations across immigration and exit-entry management, reinforcing China’s intent to facilitate cross-border mobility in support of economic growth.
Singapore
Clearer compliance pathways for Permanent Resident status retention
Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs announced significant changes to the Re-Entry Permit (REP) framework for Permanent Residents (PR), effective December 1, 2025. The revised process introduces a 180-day grace period for PRs overseas without a valid REP to apply for renewal, providing clearer timelines and outcomes while reinforcing the importance of proactive status management.
Malaysia
Expansion of digital nomad pathways and regional talent attraction
Malaysia expanded its digital mobility framework with the introduction of the DE Rantau Sarawak Pass, announced by the Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) in collaboration with the Malaysia Digital Economy Development Corporation (MDEC).
The new pass enables eligible digital nomads and remote workers, along with their dependents, to live and work in Sarawak (East Malaysia) and Peninsular Malaysia for up to 12 months, with the option to extend. This marks a significant expansion of Malaysia’s remote-work offering beyond its original Peninsular-only scope.
Structured compliance frameworks for overstays and expatriate exits
Malaysia introduced several compliance-focused reforms in Q4 2025. Effective October 21, 2025, a new Overstay Management Programme allows Employment Pass holders who have overstayed by up to 90 days to be compounded directly by Immigration without referral to enforcement authorities. In addition, new mandatory pass cancellation and exit clearance procedures were introduced for expatriates permanently departing Malaysia, linking departure compliance more closely with future immigration processing.
Japan
Strengthened integrity standards for business-linked immigration pathways
Effective October 16, 2025, Japan’s Immigration Services Agency implemented amendments to the Business Manager (経営・管理) status, raising eligibility and compliance thresholds related to capital investment, employment, professional experience, language ability, and proof of genuine business operations. The changes apply to both new and renewal applications and are intended to ensure that the status is used by active, substantive businesses and qualified managers.
Philippines
Reinforced annual reporting obligations for foreign residents
The Philippine Bureau of Immigration issued Operations Order No. 2025-007, setting out requirements for 2026 Annual Report compliance applicable to Alien Certificate of Registration Identity Card holders.
The updated guidance reinforces ongoing resident compliance obligations, with penalties applying for non-compliance within the reporting period.
Taiwan
Enhanced flexibility and protections for foreign professionals
Taiwan announced amendments to the Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, aimed at loosening work and residency restrictions while strengthening social security measures for certain foreign professional groups. Most amendments went into effect on January 1, 2026, supporting Taiwan’s continued focus on attracting international talent while enhancing employment stability and integration.
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Cherie Wright
Partner
Alice Zhong
Senior Associate