Asia-Pacific

Australia's 2026/2027 Federal Budget reinforces the government's objective of reducing net overseas migration while prioritizing younger, highly skilled migrants who can contribute to priority sectors. For employers, this signals a more selective migration environment and potential impacts on workforce planning and mobility costs, particularly given continuing uncertainty surrounding proposed tax measures affecting property and investments.

Alongside broader migration policy reforms, immigration compliance activity has intensified. The Australian Border Force has launched a targeted operation focusing on the Training (Subclass 407) visa program, increasing scrutiny of sponsorship arrangements, training plans, and workplace compliance practices. Employers utilizing this pathway should review training programs and supporting documentation to reduce compliance risks and prepare for increased enforcement activity.

India has introduced several changes to the Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) framework aimed at modernizing long-term mobility and improving the traveler experience. The removal of the 180-day stay requirement allows eligible individuals to apply for OCI status immediately upon arrival in India, while the introduction of electronic OCI cards supports streamlined immigration processing under the Fast Track Immigration Trusted Travellers' Programme. Passport details must now be updated within three months of issuance, with penalties applying for non-compliance, and remaining Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card holders must transition to OCI status following the complete phase-out of the PIO program.

Together, these changes simplify access to OCI status while strengthening the integrity of India's long-term immigration administration through enhanced digitalization and updated compliance requirements.

Japan is implementing significant immigration reforms between 2026 and 2029, reflecting a clear shift toward a more selective and compliance-driven immigration framework. Enhanced scrutiny of Intra-Company Transferee and Engineer/Specialist in Humanities/International Services applications will require employers, particularly smaller or less-established entities, to provide more comprehensive evidence of corporate legitimacy and operational substance. New language proficiency requirements for certain customer-facing International Services roles may also affect recruitment strategies and candidate eligibility assessments.

Administrative practices governing naturalization have also become more stringent, with increased emphasis on residency history, tax compliance, social insurance contributions, financial stability, lawful conduct, and integration. Looking ahead, permanent residence eligibility will generally be restricted to holders of five-year visas from April 2027, potentially affecting long-term talent retention strategies. Employers should also monitor proposed immigration fee reforms and the planned implementation of the Japan Electronic System for Travel Authorization (JESTA), both of which may increase future mobility costs and pre-travel compliance obligations.

Separately, Japan has introduced a new Residence Card format together with the optional Specified Residence Card (SRC), which combines the Residence Card and My Number Card into a single document. While the SRC may provide administrative efficiencies and support further digitalization of government services, organizations should evaluate whether those benefits outweigh the additional procedures and compliance considerations associated with adoption.

Malaysia has introduced the MIDA Expatriate System (MES), replacing multiple approval channels with a centralized platform for eligible companies under the Malaysian Investment Development Authority's jurisdiction. By consolidating expatriate registration, approval, and pass issuance processes, the system is intended to improve consistency, security, and administrative efficiency for participating employers.

Authorities have also deferred the succession plan requirement for Employment Pass Categories II and III until January 1, 2027, providing organizations with additional time to prepare for future compliance obligations. However, new supporting documentation requirements for Foreign Knowledge Worker (FKW) projection applications mean approvals are no longer issued immediately, requiring employers to strengthen workforce planning and allow additional lead time for expatriate hiring.

New Zealand continues to refine its immigration framework with a focus on attracting skilled migrants while ensuring closer alignment with labor market needs and application integrity. Reforms scheduled for implementation from August 2026 will introduce changes to the Skilled Migrant Category Resident Visa and work-to-residence pathways, including updates to wage threshold application rules, qualification evidence requirements, and additional skilled residence pathways.

The government has also increased income and sponsorship thresholds for selected family and Pacific category visas. Together, these reforms reinforce New Zealand's preference for evidence-based skilled migration pathways aligned with economic priorities. Organizations should review whether current employees may be affected by upcoming residence pathway changes and ensure documentation relating to qualifications, wages, and employment history is maintained.

The Philippines has centralized the processing and administration of Alien Employment Permits (AEPs) under the Department of Labor and Employment's (DOLE) Bureau of Local Employment. Applications previously submitted to regional offices must now be filed through the DOLE Central Office, which will oversee processing, approval, issuance, and enforcement activities.

While the centralized model is expected to improve administrative consistency and oversight over time, employers should familiarize themselves with the revised filing procedures and anticipate potential transition-related processing delays when planning foreign workforce deployments.

Thailand has extended temporary facilitation measures supporting the e-Work Permit system until July 28, 2026. Employers may continue submitting eligible work permit applications, notifications, and renewals electronically, while manual submissions remain permissible where technical issues prevent system access, provided evidence of system failure is retained.

Although primarily an administrative measure, the extension provides continued operational flexibility while authorities further stabilize the electronic work permit platform. Employers should maintain appropriate contingency procedures and record-keeping practices to support ongoing compliance.

Vietnam continues to strengthen immigration administration through digitalization initiatives, expanded traveler compliance requirements, and procedural reforms. Effective June 1, 2026, sponsoring entities must use a Corporate Electronic Identification (VNeID) account for immigration-related online submissions. Organizations that have not obtained and activated a VNeID risk disruption to visa, temporary residence card, and other immigration processes, making implementation an immediate compliance priority.

Additional traveler obligations have also been introduced. Foreigners and overseas Vietnamese entering Vietnam through Tan Son Nhat International Airport must submit a pre-arrival declaration under a pilot program launched in April 2026, while a nationwide health declaration requirement took effect from July 1, 2026 for individuals entering, exiting, or transiting through Vietnam's border gates. These measures increase pre-travel compliance responsibilities and should be incorporated into employee travel planning.

Vietnam has also decentralized selected work permit processes in Hanoi to ward- and commune-level authorities through December 2028. While intended to improve local administrative efficiency, employers should anticipate a transition period and potential procedural variation as new processes become established, allowing additional flexibility when planning foreign worker deployments and immigration timelines.