China - A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates launched in the WeChat mini program of the State Council app

State Council jointly with the Ministry of Commerce, have launched A Guide to Working and Living in China as Business Expatriates (2024 Edition) in the WeChat mini program of the State Council app.

READ MORE HERE

U.S. Department of Commerce and Samsung Electronics (Samsung) have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $6.4 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act

Proposed CHIPS Investment of up to $6.4 Billion Would Complement More than $40 Billion in Private Investment to Support a Comprehensive Semiconductor Cluster for Leading-Edge Logic, Advanced Packaging, and R&D in Taylor, Texas, and Expansion of Austin Fab in Texas.

READ MORE HERE 

Japan - Life orientation video introducing the rules of life in Japan for foreign nationals

Japan Immigration Services Agency have created a life orientation video that introduces the rules of life in Japan so that foreign national who are thinking about living in Japan or who are living in Japan can live in Japan more smoothly.

READ MORE HERE

Beach Time @ Sentosa

Beach time on a weekday at Sentosa and experiencing hot sunny weather to heavy downpour in a matter of hours.

United Kingdom - Net migration package delivered as family visa tightened

Income required to bring family to the UK increased as final measure of package to reduce legal migration comes into force.

READ MORE HERE 

New Zealand - Tenancy rules changes to improve rental market

The coalition Government has on 11 April announced changes to the Residential Tenancies Act to encourage landlords back to the rental property market, says Housing Minister Chris Bishop.

READ MORE HERE

United States/Taiwan - TSMC Arizona To Receive US$6.6 Billion In Direct Funding Under CHIPS and Science Act

The Biden-Harris Administration announced that the U.S. Department of Commerce and TSMC Arizona Corporation (TSMC Arizona), a subsidiary of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (TSMC), have signed a non-binding preliminary memorandum of terms (PMT) to provide up to $6.6 billion in direct funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. 

This proposed funding would support TSMC’s investment of more than $65 billion in three greenfield leading-edge fabs in Phoenix, Arizona, which will manufacture the world’s most advanced semiconductors.

READ MORE HERE

Scotland - Income tax changes

People urged to check their tax code as new financial year begins.

From Saturday (6 April 2024) a new Advanced income tax band will apply a 45% rate on annual income between £75,000 and £125,140. An additional 1pence will be added to the Top rate of tax meaning income over £125,140 will be taxed at 48%.

READ MORE HERE

Ireland - Update to eligibility requirements for Stamp 4 upgrades

Eligibility for a Stamp 4 upgrade has been under review by ISD since the effective date of this change to the application process. This review has since concluded with the below-listed change to eligibility now effective.

Employees residing in the State on a Stamp 1 or 1H permission are eligible for a Stamp 4 upgrade upon completion of 21 months from commencement of employment in the State, on the basis of:

(i) a Critical Skills Employment Permit

(ii) a Hosting Agreement as a Researcher

(iii) a Multi-Site General Employment Permit as a Non-Consultant Hospital Doctor

Or, upon completion of 57 months from commencement of employment in the State on the basis of:

(iv) General Employment Permits

READ MORE HERE

New Zealand - Changes to the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV)

If you currently have an AEWV, these changes could affect how long you can stay before you need to spend time outside New Zealand or your eligibility to be granted a further AEWV.

If you applied for your first AEWV before 21 June 2023 and are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job paying at or above the required AEWV wage rate, and currently hold a three year AEWV, you will no longer be able to access the maximum time of five years.

If you are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job on a pathway to residence, you will not be affected by these changes.If you apply for a further AEWV on or after 7 April 2024, you will have to meet the updated criteria. 

If you are in an ANZSCO level 4 and 5 job you may not be able to stay and work in New Zealand for the maximum time of five years.

READ MORE HERE

UK - New laws to cut migration and put British workers first in force

UK businesses are now required to pay overseas workers coming to the UK on a Skilled Worker visa significantly more, as the government clamps down on cut price foreign labour and continues to deliver on its commitment to drive down net migration.

Part of a robust and fair package of measures announced by the Home Secretary in December, which will mean 300,000 people who arrived in the UK last year would now not be able to, the general salary threshold for those arriving in the UK on a Skilled Worker visa has now increased by 48%, from £26,200 to £38,700. 

READ MORE HERE

Taiwan / Republic of China - Detailed Handling of Salary Tax Withholdings due to Resident Status Change in the Middle of the Year as a Result of the Departure of a Foreign Employee

Some have asked what to do if a company employs foreign workers who, according to their residence permits, are supposed to stay in the Republic of China for 183 days or more in a taxable year and therefore the company determines that they are residents and withholds tax at the rate of 5% of the resident's income tax on the total amount of their monthly salary, but the foreign worker left the country and resided in the country for less than 183 days. What should be done about the withholding of their salary?

READ MORE HERE 

Japan - Expansion of Visa Quota for Japan-UK Working Holiday Program

In November 2023, expansion of the visa quota issued under the Working Holiday Program was confirmed between Japan and the UK.

In light of the above, effective on April 1, the number of UK nationals (visa quota) eligible to use the Working Holiday Program has been increased from 1,000 to 6,000 annually. 

(Note: The number of Japanese nationals (visa quota) eligible to use the UK's Youth Mobility Scheme has been increased from 1,500 to 6,000 annually, effective January 31, 2012.)

Expanding the visa quota for the Working Holiday Program further encourages exchange and mutual understanding between the youths of Japan and the UK and is expected to further strengthen the relationship between Japan and the UK.

READ MORE HERE

A Love Story with Paris 2024 Now Out On My YouTube Channel!

Happy Easter! No plans for the Easter weekend? Enjoy this travelogue of mine for pleasure.

Scotland’s Migration Service launched

Scotland’s Migration Service has launched its first phase, which will give people who have recently moved here and employers looking to hire workers from abroad access to bespoke advice.

READ MORE HERE

US - USCIS Extends Initial Registration Period for FY 2025 H-1B Cap

USCIS has extended the initial registration period for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap. 

The initial registration period, which opened at noon Eastern on March 6, 2024, and was originally scheduled to run through noon Eastern on March 22, 2024, will now run through noon Eastern on March 25, 2024. 

USCIS is aware of a temporary system outage experienced by some registrants, and is extending the registration period to provide additional time due to this issue.

READ MORE HERE

[TRAILER] A Love Story With Paris 2024

This is the trailer to my upcoming video [A Love Story with Paris 2024] anticipated to debut on my YT channel on March 29, 2024!

UK - Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will be abolished, to be replaced with a new Immigration Salary List on 4 April.

The Shortage Occupation List (SOL) will be abolished, to be replaced with a new Immigration Salary List on 4 April. This follows a recommendation from the independent MAC, which has also advised the government on which occupations should be temporarily added to the new list initially.

From 4 April, the minimum salary required for those arriving on the Skilled Worker visa will increase from £26,200 to £38,700 – a 48% increase.

The minimum income requirement for family visas will also rise, starting at £29,000 from 11 April. By early 2025 this will be increased to £38,700, helping to ensure dependants brought to the UK are supported financially.

READ MORE HERE     

Singapore - Foreign Workforce Policy Announcements: Employment Pass Qualifying Salary To Increase in 2025

The benchmark for the Employment Pass (EP) qualifying salary is based on the top one-third of local PMET1 wages, to ensure that EP holders are of high quality. The EP qualifying salary is reviewed annually against the benchmark. In line with how the benchmarks have moved, Ministry of Manpower (MOM) will be increasing the EP minimum qualifying salary from $5,000 to $5,600 per month. The qualifying salary will continue to increase progressively with age, up to $10,700 for a candidate in their mid-40s. This maintains a level playing field for locals across all age groups.

For the Financial Services sector which has higher wage norms, a higher EP qualifying salary will continue to apply. The EP minimum qualifying salary for the Financial Services sector will be raised from $5,500 to $6,200 per month. This will also continue to increase progressively with age, up to $11,800 for a candidate in their mid-40s.

The revised EP qualifying salary will apply to new EP applications from 1 January 2025, and to renewal applications from 1 January 2026. This will provide businesses more time to adjust to the changes.

READ MORE HERE

Denmark - Working holiday quotas for citizens of Chile and Argentina

On 1 March 2024, a new quota period for Working Holiday for citizens of Chile and Argentina begins.

READ MORE HERE

US - FY 2025 H-1B Registration Period and myUSCIS Organizational Account Reminders

On Feb. 28, 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services launched new myUSCIS organizational accounts that will allow multiple people within an organization, as well as their legal representatives, to collaborate on and prepare H-1B registrations, H-1B petitions, and any associated Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service. 

A new organizational account is required to participate in the H-1B Electronic Registration Process starting in March 2024. 

READ MORE HERE

Taiwan - For individuals who reside overseas and have been moved out of a registered residence in the Republic of China, the tax withholder shall withhold the income tax payable in accordance with prescribed withholding rates for non-residents

For individuals not residing within the territory of the Republic of China（hereinafter referred to as non-residents）but who have earned income within the territory of the Republic of China, the tax withholder shall withhold the income tax payable in accordance with prescribed withholding rates.

READ MORE HERE

UAE - Ministry of Finance announces AED10,000 penalty for late Corporate Tax registration

The Ministry of Finance on 27 February 2024 announced the issuance of Cabinet Decision No. 10 of 2024, amending the schedule of violations and administrative penalties of Cabinet Decision No. 75 of 2023 on the administrative penalties for violations related to the application of Federal Decree-Law No. 47 of 2022 on the taxation of corporations and businesses.

READ MORE HERE

Korea - Digital Nomad (Workcation) Visa

 Read more about the Korea's Digital Nomad (Workcation) Visa HERE

Taiwan - Regulations for Newly Revised Immigration Act (Effective as of March 1, 2024)

READ MORE HERE on the summary of key changes to the newly revised Immigration Act, effective March 1, 2024.

Japan/Taiwan - Japanese government to subsidize 2nd JASM fab / TSMC's Kumamoto plant opens as most advanced fab in Japan

Japan's Economy, Trade and Industry (METI) Minister Ken Saito on Saturday 24 February 2024 confirmed that the Japanese government has agreed to grant a subsidy of 732 billion yen (US$4.86 billion) to Japan Advanced Semiconductor Manufacturing's (JASM) to build a second fab in Kumamoto.

READ MORE HERE 

Taiwanese contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) officially opened Japan's most advanced wafer fab in Kumamoto on Saturday 24 February 2024. 

READ MORE HERE

New Zealand - The new median wage rate of $31.61 an hour will be adopted into parts the immigration system on 28 February 2024

Wage thresholds for the Skilled Migrant Category, the Green List Straight to Residence and Work to Residence visas, and the Parent Category residence class visa will increase in line with the median wage (NZD$31.61 an hour) on 28 February 2024.

READ MORE HERE 

Exploring Edinburgh 2024 Video To Debut On My Youtube Channel on March 2, 2024 at 12:15am SGT!

Exploring Edinburgh 2024 Video, a Stars in A Jar production, to debut on my Youtube channel on March 2, 2024 at 12:15am SGT!

Denmark - New application form for sideline employment and work permit for accompanying family

On 13 February 2024, Danish Agency for International Recruitment and Integration (SIRI) will make a new printable application form available which is tailored to those who wish to apply for a work permit for sideline employment, or wish to apply for a work permit as an accompanying family member because they have been offered a job within the same company as their sponsor.

READ MORE HERE

China - The National Immigration Administration (NIA) to Expand Allowed Purposes of Visa-Free Entry into Hainan Province for Citizens of Some Countries

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) released an announcement since February 9th, 2024, the announcement allows citizens of Albania, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, the Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ukraine, etc., to enter Hainan Province for commercial activities and trade, visit and exchange, and family reunions, receiving medical treatment, attending exhibitions,taking part in sporting events and other needs(excluding long-term working and studying) for up to 30 days without a visa.

READ MORE HERE

Canada - Government announces two-year extension to ban on foreign ownership of Canadian housing

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced on February 4 the federal government’s intent to extend by an additional two years the existing ban on foreign ownership of Canadian housing.

READ MORE HERE

Business groups from Taiwan and the Czech Republic on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on semiconductor cooperation.

Business groups from Taiwan and the Czech Republic on Thursday signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on semiconductor cooperation.

During a seminar on semiconductor investments in the Czech Republic held in Taipei, Taiwan semiconductor material supplier TOPOC Scientific Co. teamed up with the Taiwan Eastbound Alliance - Landing America (TeaLa) to ink the agreement with the Czech National Semiconductor Cluster (CNSC).

READ MORE HERE

Taiwan - Unpaid Taxes May Cause Restriction on Exiting the R.O.C., Disturbing Overseas Travel Plans During Lunar New Year Holiday

A 7-day Lunar New Year holiday is coming. For tax debtors being restricted from exiting the Republic of China (hereinafter “the R.O.C.”) but planning to travel abroad during the said holiday, don't forget to pay the tax due and fine, or furnish property equivalent to the tax payable as security in advance so as to ensure a smooth traveling experience without exit restrictions.

READ MORE HERE

Ireland - Introduction of email application form for Reactivation Employment Permit Scheme

From 1 February 2024 Domestic Residence will accept applications for Reactivation Employment Permit Scheme on our helpdesk DRPcustomerservice@justice.ie.

As part of our ongoing review of our processes, we have simplified and streamlined the application in order to ensure a better service for our customers. Please use this application form. It is important that you read the qualifying criteria before you submit an application.

READ MORE HERE

UK and Japan expand mobility schemes for young people / New international arrangements expand opportunities for UK youth

More young British and Japanese nationals will be eligible to experience life-changing opportunities in each other’s countries thanks to the mutual expansion of visa schemes between the UK and Japan.

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Young Brits will have more opportunities to live, work and study abroad, as changes to the UK’s international arrangements with 6 countries come into effect 31 January.

READ MORE HERE

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Announces Strengthened Integrity Measures for H-1B Program / USCIS Issues Final Rule to Adjust Certain Immigration and Naturalization Fees

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on January 30 announced a final rule to strengthen the integrity of and reduce the potential for fraud in the H-1B registration process, including by reducing the potential for gaming the registration system and ensuring each beneficiary would have the same chance of being selected, regardless of the number of registrations submitted on their behalf. USCIS is also announcing the initial registration period dates for the fiscal year (FY) 2025 H-1B cap, and the launch of an online filing option for Forms I-129, Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker, and Form I-907, Request for Premium Processing Service, for H-1B petitioners.

READ MORE HERE 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published a final rule to adjust certain immigration and naturalization benefit request fees for the first time since 2016. The final rule will allow USCIS to recover a greater share of its operating costs and support more timely processing of new applications.

READ MORE HERE

China, Thailand sign mutual visa exemption agreement which will come into effect from March 1

China and Thailand signed a mutual visa exemption agreement on Sunday, which will come into effect from March 1, according to the Chinese foreign ministry.

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H.E. Mr. Parnpree Bahiddha-Nukara, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, and H.E. Mr. Wang Yi, Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs and Minister of Foreign Affairs of China, co-signed the “Agreement between the Government of the Kingdom of Thailand and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on Mutual Visa Exemption for Holders of Ordinary Passports and Passports for Public Affairs”, at Narathip Room, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the occasion of H.E. Mr. Wang Yi’s official visit to Thailand between 26 - 29 January 2024. 

READ THE NEWS FROM THAILAND MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS HERE

Mutual 30-Day Visa-Exemption Arrangement Between Singapore and The People’s Republic Of China

With effect from 9 February 2024, holders of ordinary passports issued by the People’s Republic of China (PRC) will be exempted from visa requirements for a stay of up to 30 days in Singapore. 

There will be no refund of the visa processing fee for those who had earlier submitted an application.

READ MORE HERE

The Pacific Engagement Visa – Australia’s new permanent visa

The Australian Government has heard the calls from Pacific leaders for deeper connections and easier movement around the region and are taking steps to improve access, mobility and migration opportunities. Boosting Pacific permanent migration to Australia is an essential part of our plan to build a stronger Pacific Family.

READ MORE HERE

Exploring Edinburgh 2024 Trailer

Dropping the trailer to my upcoming YT video - Exploring Edinburgh 2024!

UK and South Korea expand Youth Mobility schemes for young people

The expansion takes effect 31 January 2024, with increased annual quota, increased age range and the removal of the ballot process.

READ MORE HERE

Signing of the Japan-Austria Social Security Agreement

According to the provisions of this agreement, temporarily dispatched employees whose dispatch period is less than five years are, in principle, covered by the pension system of the sending country. 

Additionally, you will be able to establish your pension entitlement by adding up the insurance periods in both countries.

READ MORE HERE

Taiwan - TSMC's Kumamoto fab to open on Feb. 24

Mark Liu (劉德音), chairman of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC), the world's largest contract chipmaker, said Thursday Jan. 18 that the company's overseas expansion is proceeding as planned with a wafer plant in Kumamoto, Japan slated to open on Feb. 24.

READ MORE HERE

Ireland - Processing of Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) applications on hand following the closure of the Programme

Following the closure of the Immigrant Investor Programme (IIP) on 14 February 2023 it was agreed that arrangements in relation to the orderly winding down of the Programme would be put in place. These arrangements have now been finalised.

READ MORE HERE

China - National Immigration Administration (NIA) Releases Five New Measures to Facilitate Entries of Foreigners

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) has officially implemented five measures on January 11, aimed at simplifying the process for foreign nationals seeking to visit China. The measures are designed to make business activities, education, and tours in China more accessible for foreign nationals. The measures will further eliminate hurdles related to doing business, studying, and traveling in China and better serve China's high-level opening up and high-quality development.

READ MORE HERE