New Zealand: Police certificate requirement changes for Accredited Employer Work Visa applications

From 8 December 2025, applicant must provide a valid police certificate with the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) application. New Zealand Immigration will stop accepting receipts that show the applicant has applied for a certificate.

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New Zealand: New investor visa to back local businesses

Applications are now open for the Business Investor Visa, a new immigration pathway designed to attract experienced business people who want to invest in and grow established businesses in New Zealand.

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EU: Deal on facilitating international recruitment in shortage occupations

A political agreement has been reached today to set up the EU Talent Pool, a digital platform to make it easier to recruit third-country nationals for work in the EU.

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New Zealand: Update to simplified Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) Job Change process

From 17 November 2025, Immigration New Zealand (INZ) is able to pause Job Change applications if serious concerns are identified about the employer. These measures will only apply in exceptional cases.

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New Zealand: New seasonal visas open 8 December 2025

From 8 December 2025 applications will open for 2 new seasonal visa options under the Accredited Employer Work Visa (AEWV) framework, the Global Workforce Seasonal Visa (GWSV) and the Peak Seasonal Visa (PSV).

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EU: Employment and Social Affairs MEPs call for new rules on the use of algorithmic management at work

Employment and Social Affairs MEPs have agreed on a series of recommendations for a new EU bill to ensure the transparent, fair, and safe use of automated monitoring and decision-making systems used to take or support decisions in the workplace. 

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China: The National Immigration Administration (NIA) Launches 10 New Measures to Support Expansion of Opening-up and Serve High-quality Development of China

The National Immigration Administration (NIA) announced its decision to implement 10 innovative measures to support the expansion of opening-up and serve the high-quality development of China.

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Vietnam: New policies on compulsory social insurance and online money transfer shall take effect in November 2025

The Government issued Decree No. 274/2025/ND-CP on detailed implementation of several articles of the Law on Social Insurance. 

The Decree, scheduled to come into effect from November 30, specifies cases of late payment of compulsory social insurance/umemployment insurance premiums, and evasion of compulsory social insurance/ unemployment insurance premiums. 

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New Zealand: Tourism boost with visa-free travel for Chinese visitors via Australia

Tourism, New Zealand’s second-largest export, is set to benefit from more visitors per year with Chinese visitors now able to travel visa-free from Australia to New Zealand, Immigration Minister Erica Stanford and Tourism & Hospitality Minister Louise Upston announced 3 November.

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Ends Automatic Extension of Employment Authorization

The Department of Homeland Security has announced an interim final rule ending the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents for aliens filing renewal applications in certain employment authorization categories. 

With this rule, DHS prioritizes the proper screening and vetting of aliens before extending the validity of their employment authorizations. 

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Ireland: The Immigration Services Registration Office urges customers intending to travel over the coming Christmas holiday period, whose current Irish residence permission will expire, to submit a renewal application

The Immigration Services Registration Office at Burgh Quay Dublin is currently experiencing a very large volume of applications for a renewal of registration permission with a current processing time to renew an IRP card of 3-4 weeks, this period is likely to increase. READ MORE HERE

EU: More flexible visa suspension mechanism

Parliament has backed legislation to make it easier to remove the right to visa-free travel to the EU from countries posing security risks or breaching human rights. READ MORE HERE

USA: President Donald J. Trump Restricts the Entry of Foreign Nationals to Protect the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats

President Donald J. Trump signed a Proclamation to protect the nation from foreign terrorist and other national security and public safety threats from entry into the United States. READ MORE HERE

Australia - Annual indexation of skilled visa income thresholds from 1 July 2025

From 1 July 2025, skilled visa income thresholds will be increased by 4.6%. Income thresholds are indexed annually so wages for skilled migrants increase at the same rate as Australian workers. 

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

From 10 March 2025, employers recruiting workers under the AEWV and seasonal SPWV policies will no longer be required to pay the median wage. 

Instead, there will be no set pay thresholds except the New Zealand minimum wage (currently NZD $23.15 an hour, increasing to NZD $23.50 an hour on 1 April).

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Scotland - Scottish Graduate Visa proposed

A dedicated visa for international graduates from Scottish universities or colleges who want to stay in Scotland after their studies has been proposed by First Minister John Swinney.

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UK - The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner rebrands as the Immigration Advice Authority

The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has on January 16 announced its transformation to the Immigration Advice Authority (IAA), marking a significant evolution in the regulation of immigration advice services in the UK. 

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US: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Updates Filing Procedures for Form I-140

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services on January 13 announced a Federal Register notice (FRN) providing updated procedures for submitting a Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Workers, accompanied by a permanent labor certification, application for Schedule A designation, or national interest waiver (NIW) request.

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Denmark - New fee rates for processing applications for residence permits

The fees for processing applications for residence permits in SIRI's case areas will decrease in 2025.

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