Global mobility in 2024 is navigating through a challenging economic climate. Despite significant variations between countries, strong common trends are affecting major recruiting nations. Housing and purchasing power crises have become a severe issue for governments, prompting measures to continue attracting foreign workers while striving to emerge from these crises.
Securing housing before the move
Employing foreign workers is encouraged, but only if they have secured housing beforehand. Due to the housing crisis, these countries want to ensure that new hires already have a place to live. This housing requirement applies not only to prospective expats but also to employers in some countries, who are required to provide suitable accommodations for temporary foreign workers.
While the demands on companies are generally welcomed, those on foreign workers are being criticized. The underlying implication is that foreign workers are responsible for the housing crisis. Countries like Canada, Australia, and the Netherlands are implementing measures to reduce the number of expatriates, pinpointing them for the rising housing prices. Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN Special Reporter on the right to adequate housing, argues that the policies of these countries need revision. Imposing a housing requirement before expatriation overlooks the diverse circumstances of workers, as the income of an international student differs greatly from that of a seasonal worker or a senior executive.
Mastering the host country's language
Should language proficiency requirements be strengthened or relaxed? Solutions vary by country. Germany's immigration reform has made headlines by significantly favoring the immigration of skilled professionals. Language requirements have been lowered; for instance, foreigners coming to Germany under a recognition partnership need only basic German proficiency (level A2), enough to describe their training and understand simple exchanges. This partnership allows them to obtain a qualified employee residence permit first and then continue their recognition process. Other worker categories also benefit from these lowered language requirements.
However, not everyone supports Germany's approach. Critics argue that language proficiency eases integration and worry that foreign talents with minimal language skills may become vulnerable in the job market. Similar concerns arose in Japan with the introduction of the Specified Skilled Workers Visa 1 and 2 in April 2019, where the less protective Visa 1 did not require Japanese proficiency. Countries like Australia, Sweden, France, and South Korea have chosen to either strengthen (Australia, Sweden, France) or maintain (South Korea) their language proficiency requirements.
Being qualified, skilled and experienced
The international job market continues to favor qualified and educated professionals. In 2024, immigration reforms aim to facilitate the recruitment of skilled and experienced foreigners. Hong Kong's immigration reform seeks to attract foreign talent through the Top Talent Pass Scheme, which targets graduates from prestigious universities. Japan has a similar approach with its J-Skip and J-Find visas, enabling qualified and educated foreigners to work in Japan.
Countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Finland, the United Arab Emirates, and Sweden also rely on foreign talent. Employers constantly compete to attract and retain these professionals. Saudi Arabia has joined this competition, recruiting foreign teachers and academics to train future leaders and reshape the kingdom's international image.
Having health insurance or paying a special tax
While countries welcome foreign talent, they want to ensure these workers do not strain their health insurance systems. The pandemic has weakened already struggling institutions, particularly in the UK, where the crisis is ongoing. The Sunak government's "shock plan" to stabilize the NHS includes drastic measures to replenish funds. Since January, the annual surcharge for foreign nationals to access healthcare (Immigration Health Charge) has increased from £624 to £1,035 for adults.
Many digital nomads must have health insurance to apply for their visas, as most countries offering digital nomad visas require expatriates to cover their own healthcare expenses.
Meeting income thresholds
Immigration policy reforms increasingly require higher income thresholds to filter candidates. Sweden, for example, has toughened its stance: non-European foreign talents must now be wealthier to expatriate. Since November 1, 2023, non-Schengen and non-EU foreigners must earn 27,360 SEK (about €2,400) to obtain a work visa, up from 13,000 SEK (about €1,150) before the reform. This is 80% of the median salary. In February, the government proposed raising this threshold to 34,200 SEK per month (about €3,000), or 100% of the median salary.
The UK has also increased its minimum salary requirement for work visas by nearly 50%. Employers have mixed reactions to these reforms, with some warning of a potential exodus of foreign talents to countries with more relaxed conditions. Employers cannot always meet the state's demands, and many British businesses are already struggling with the new salary thresholds, leading to rescinded job offers and missed recruitment opportunities.
Useful links:
Japan Specified Skilled Workers visa program
Hong Kong Immigration Department : admission schemes for foreigners talents
