Key milestone for Pacific Engagement Visa program

Pacific Island and Timor-Leste nationals will be able to register for Australia's new Pacific Engagement Visa (PEV) program from 3 June 2024, providing new opportunities for Pacific and Timorese nationals to live, work and study in Australia.

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Hong Kong, Macao SAR governments welcome updated policies to facilitate mainland business, talents' travels

The governments of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) and the Macao SAR on Sunday welcomed an announcement earlier in the day by the Chinese mainland authorities to facilitate business and skilled staff travel overseas.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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%.

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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

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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.

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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. 

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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?

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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.

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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.

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