Regional Alerts
Stay informed with our timely updates on legislative changes and policy developments affecting global mobility programs worldwide.
MARCH 1, 2026
Middle East | Immigration
Middle East security & travel update (follow-up)
Following our earlier alert regarding the escalation between Israel and Iran and the resulting regional security and travel disruption, we are issuing this follow-up note to provide additional support resources for clients. The situation remains highly dynamic, with ongoing security developments, airspace restrictions, flight disruptions, and changing government travel advisories across parts of the Middle East and neighbouring regions. We continue to monitor developments closely.
FEBRUARY 28, 2026
Middle East | Immigration
Israel and Iran escalation and regional airspace disruptions
US and Israel have today launched air and missile strikes on multiple targets within Iran, including locations in and around Tehran. Iran has reportedly responded with missile and drone activity directed toward Israel. Regional tensions are escalating and the security environment remains fluid. Israeli officials have confirmed the strikes and declared a national state of emergency. Iranian authorities have reported explosions in major cities and indicated that further responses may follow. At this present time, there are multiple reports of sirens and blasts heard in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait, and there is a risk of escalation across the region including Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Turkiye and Yemen.
FEBRUARY 27, 2026
Republic of Korea | Global Mobility Tax
Finalized income tax law and enforcement decree on the Exit Tax
In December 2025, it was finalized and announced that deemed capital gains from foreign shares, regardless of ‘major shareholder’ status, will be subject to the exit tax effective January 1, 2027. However, new provisions in the Enforcement Decree of the Income Tax Law, announced in February 2026, introduced the scope of foreign shares that are excluded from the exit tax. Thanks to these new provisions, foreign national employees on long-term assignments in Korea will likely not be subject to the exit tax upon departure from Korea, provided they stay in Korea only for their determined assignment period and depart within 6 months of their assignment end date, even if they have worked in Korea for over 5 years.
FEBRUARY 26, 2026
Malaysia | Immigration
ESD updates on minimum salary and Employment Pass duration from 1 June 2026
Further to our previous alerts dated 15 January 2026 and 23 January 2026 on the revision to the minimum salary requirements and pass duration for Employment Passes effective 1 June 2026, additional updates have been provided during the recent briefing sessions conducted by the Malaysian Expatriate Service Centre (MYXpats) for companies under the purview of the Expatriate Services Division (ESD). These briefings provide further clarity on how the revised Employment Pass (EP) policy will be implemented in practice, including applicability of the revised EP framework, calculation of maximum pass duration, treatment to renewals, changes affecting Category III applications, the implementation of the succession plan requirement and the position on the labour market testing requirement under MYFutureJobs. As the official guidelines have yet to be issued, the information shared may be subject to change. The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) has yet to provide confirmation whether the updates shared by ESD are also applicable to MDEC-registered companies.
FEBRUARY 26, 2026
China | Immigration
Visa-free entry for Canadian and UK citizens
China has announced a unilateral visa exemption policy for nationals of Canada and the United Kingdom (UK). The policy takes effect on February 17, 2026, and will remain valid through December 31, 2026. During this period, eligible individuals holding ordinary passports may enter China without a visa for short-term stays of up to 30 days for purposes such as business, tourism, or family visits. The measure is expected to facilitate business travel and cross-border exchanges, though existing requirements for long-term activities such as work and study remain in place.
FEBRUARY 25, 2026
Hong Kong | Global Mobility
The 2026-27 Budget—driving high-quality, inclusive growth with innovation and finance
On 25 February 2026, the Financial Secretary of Hong Kong SAR, Mr. Paul Chan, announced the Hong Kong 2026-27 Budget (the “Budget”). With the booming economy and capital markets, Hong Kong’s economy recorded a growth of 3.5 percent in 2025. In the midst of global and local economic changes, the Budget suggests maintaining economic growth driven by AI and other new technologies. Several individual tax measures have been proposed to alleviate the economic burden of taxpayers.